The company unveiled the SK210, SK215LC and SK230XDLC at its Sri City manufacturing facility. The new models combine Japanese technology with locally sourced components, including an Indian-made Cummins engine, as the company seeks to improve parts availability and reduce equipment ownership costs.
Speaking at a press meet following the launch, Moses Eddy, Director, Kobelco Construction Equipment India, said the company was working towards localisation levels of around 65-70 per cent for the new models.
“What we have done by localisation is the parts availability, the repair parts, everything is much cheaper,” Eddy said, explaining how local sourcing could lower maintenance costs for customers.
The company estimates that the new models could reduce lifecycle costs by around 30 per cent, although actual savings would depend on operating conditions and machine utilisation. Certain hydraulic and electronic control components will continue to be imported because of their importance to machine reliability and performance.
The new excavators also feature GEOSCAN remote tracking, air-conditioning, LED work lights and a power-boost function. Extended hydraulic oil and filter maintenance intervals are intended to reduce servicing requirements and machine downtime.
Kobelco is also looking to expand its reach beyond established large contractors to smaller contractors and equipment-hiring businesses, where affordability plays an important role in purchasing decisions, he added.
Revenue and export growth
Kobelco has been present in India for 20 years.
The company has invested around Rs 900 crore in India so far and reported revenue of approximately Rs 2000 crore last financial year, including exports. It is targeting revenue of around Rs 2500 crore in Fy27, according to Eddy.
Kobelco’s Sri City facility has produced more than 20,000 machines and supplies markets across more than 16 countries. Exports from the Indian facility stood at around 600-700 machines last year and could reach approximately 800 this year, subject to shipping conditions, Eddy said.
“There is a tremendous scope to do well in export from India,” he said, citing opportunities in Africa and Southeast Asia.
However, higher freight costs and disruptions in shipping availability have affected overseas deliveries, particularly to some markets in the Middle East. Eddy said demand remained robust, but logistics constraints were affecting shipments and profitability.
When Industrial Economist asked about China’s move to restrict exports of tunnel-boring machines, Eddy acknowledged that it was a concern for the infrastructure sector.
“There are efforts taken by the Indian government to counter this,” he said, referring to initiatives to develop indigenous capabilities.
He also noted growing Japanese interest in India as a manufacturing base for international markets, in addition to its domestic demand.
AI for after-sales support
Kobelco is exploring the use of artificial intelligence to analyse data from its GEOSCAN remote-monitoring system to improve after-sales support. Around 18,000 machines are covered by the system, providing operational data that could help anticipate maintenance requirements, improve spare-parts planning and reduce downtime.
Eddy said the company was working on using this data to improve customer support. The initiative remains under development.
“India remains one of the cornerstones of Kobelco’s strategic growth vision in Asia. Celebrating two decades of our presence in the nation, including manufacturing and engineering, the launch of these three 20-tonne excavator variants underscores our unwavering dedication to Indian infrastructure development,” Jun Hayama, Managing Director, Kobelco Construction Equipment India, said.
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