Started in 1984, Avcon Systems is one of the oldest material handling solution providers in the country. The company helps its customers (spread across various industries) with correct selection of equipment for optimum usage in cost effective manner. In this interview, Aniket Sawarkar, CEO, Avcon Systems, elaborates on how the company is equipping its customers with solution to solve the challenges in the material handling space.

What kinds of hurdles customers face today while handling materials?
Space is the biggest constraint for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with respect to handling materials. With increase in exports by Indian companies, customers have closed pallets demands for handling and container stuffing which cannot be handled by conventional low-cost equipment.

How is Avcon Systems helping companies in enhancing their efficiency in material handling?
We have a customised design concept with which we offer solutions to every customer as per their respective applications. We do not offer one-size-fit-all concept for customers and offer flexibility to them in selection of correct equipment as per their technical and commercial needs.

How is the logistics & warehousing sector changing when it comes to the usage of material handling equipment (MHE)?
Increase in automation for bulk transfer instead of block transfers is the latest trend in logistic & warehousing sector. With warehouse capacity increasing, number of package handling has risen in volume by 10 folds. Industry is demand material handling equipment with higher capacities and height for higher efficiency in utilisation.

Are customers in the logistics & warehousing sector asking for more automated (or semi-automated) MHE? How is your company fulfilling their requirements?
Demand for both automated as well as semi-automated MHE has increased by at least 30 per cent for domestic market. Industry aims to reduce dependency for low-cost imported equipment and use more products manufactured in local market. Our company focuses more on developing in-house sub-assemblies for quicker after sales services resulting in reduction of down time of equipment. Our products currently comprise more than 90 per cent of Indian components for easy maintenance.

How do you intend to take your growth story forward?
We will launch five new products in the coming years to meet the requirement of low-cost material handling solutions. Our production capacity has increased by 40 per cent compared to previous year with addition of production facilities in Pune and Mumbai. We are aligned with our industry leader’s vision of “Make in India, Make for World” and will very soon have dedicated export strategy to provide material handling solutions throughout the globe.