ELGi launched two high-performance, energy-efficient portable air compressors. Sumesh Soman looks at the low TCO and energy efficiency proposition.
Air compressors play a crucial role in auxiliary mounts on Construction Equipment (CEs). At the recently concluded Excon 2K21, Elgi Equipments Ltd. launched a range of high-performance, energy-efficient, and reliable electric and diesel, portable air compressors. The electric-powered PG 110E -13.5, and the diesel-powered PG 575 – 225 joined forces with the diesel-powered PG 500-185, PG 330-100, and the electric-powered PG 90E and PG 55E trolley-mounted portable air compressors. Speaking on the sidelines of the launch, Rajesh Premchandran, Director, ISAAME (India, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East), Elgi Equipments Ltd. expressed, “We are happy to launch our new electric and diesel portable air compressors which will offer our customers low maintenance costs with high energy efficiency and enhanced productivity.”
The product launches are timed to the spurt in infrastructure investments in the country. With government intervention, infrastructure is a key pillar of the USD five trillion economy in the making. According to a recent industry report by Ernst & Young Pvt. Ltd. the infrastructure sector in India is estimated to grow at a CAGR of approximately seven per cent over the next five years. The Government plans to invest an estimated Rs.102 lakh crore earmarked for projects to be undertaken by 2024-25. “We are excited and well poised to address the opportunity. At ELGi, we continue to focus on understanding our customer’s stated needs, and unstated wants and deliver the right compressed air solutions,” averred Premchandran.
The framework
ELGi’s electric-powered portable air compressors are powered by IE3 motors integrated with proprietary ŋV profile air ends, claimed to deliver high productivity and reliability for drilling operations. The electrically driven compressor has a capacity of 110 kW with a 490 CFM and a maximum working pressure of 14.5 bar. These compressors also feature a Reverse Direction Switch (RDS) and single-phase preventer for better safety. The three-stage filtration system makes these portable compressors suitable for operations in dusty environments, with claims of delivering an unmatched performance under the toughest site conditions. The company also claims an increased operational life, low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and best-in-industry, service support. The portable compressors will have extensive usage across various applications, including construction, blue metal quarries, coal mining, iron ore mining, granite mining, marble mining, sandstone mining, sandblasting, shotcrete, and pigging, to name a few duty cycles.
Banking on new products for growth
The consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) for the fourth quarter (Q4FY22) was Rs.73.1 crore compared to Rs.43.4 crore in the same period, a year ago (Q4FY21). Consolidated PAT for the fiscal is pegged at Rs.178.4 crore compared to Rs.102.5 crore in FY21. The company hopes to build further in the next fiscal (FY23) and is banking on new product launches. A company statement read, that the compressor business’ performance in the domestic market has exceeded plans owing to strong demand and the go-to-market initiatives. Barring the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and the South-East Asian Countries that were affected by Covid-19 lockdowns, other geographies registered satisfactory sales and market share growth. An official statement in regards to the outlook for FY23 read, “While we remain optimistic and are well prepared to achieve our revenue targets, inflation, wars and political unrest could soften demand and affect margins. However, we are reviewing our processes and initiating actions to avoid margin erosion.” Strategic investments in the global markets are said to have helped the company in FY22 with the bulk of its growth attributed to North America, Europe, and Australia.“It would be wise to brace for this levelling of activity and focus inward on productivity and cost optimisation,” concludes Jairam Varadaraj, Managing Director, ELGi Equipments Ltd.
