With the support of all our customers who are at the very heart of our business we had another outstanding year 2011. JCB India declared a record sales growth in last fiscal year achieving year-end sales of over 27,000 units with over 30% increase over 2010 sales.

At JCB we focus on both process innovation as well as product innovation. The process innovations are results of the process improvements and the higher benchmarks that we set for ourselves internally. The product innovations are based on our customer needs which we keep gauging through continuous feedback. We have dedicated teams working on each of our product lines with the sole purpose of increasing efficiency through value engineering. These innovations led to the launch of several products in 2011 across our Heavyline range of Vibratory Compactors, Tracked Excavators and Wheeled Loaders. Many of the new launches are being powered by our state-of-the-art JCB ecoMAX engine.

We recently also launched a new range of Backhoe Loader variants with new spacious and state of the art cabin and a stylish bonnet with high visibility for the operator. The warehouse expansion in Guwahati and Chennai will enhance the customer experience. The after sales services provided are a building block to gain customer loyalty and JCB has a committed team that is working tirelessly to provide highest levels of customer service that JCB is renowned for.

The second JCB Clean Earth Awards for excellence in Solid Waste Management were held at Hyderabad and received a very encouraging response. We also participated at inaugural Indian F1 Grand Prix by having our Loadalls and Teletrucks positioned for rescue operations.

The JCB stand proved to be a must see stop for visitors at EXCON 2011 held at Bangalore. With the largest stand at the show, JCB exhibited the entire range of machines in an area which also housed a two-storey pavilion with a branded products shop, 3D Cinema with innovation products and a dedicated area for finance companies for providing on the spot financial solutions to potential buyers.

2011 was an extremely exciting year for JCB in India. We shall carry this excitement forward as we look ahead to a positive 2012. The overall scenario is positive and the infrastructure sector is bound to see a growth every year in the medium term, propelled by Government policies and with the support from the private sector.

Vipin Sondhi
MD & CEO, JCB India Limited