it takes more than driving - volvo trucks india · the ten commandments to fuel efficient driving...

06 08 16YOUR PASSION WILL LEAD YOU TO YOUR PURPOSESanjay Udyog Pvt. Ltd.

MASTER OF THE FORESTBert Johansson knows how to get the most out of every drop of fuel.

AT THE FOREFRONTVolvo Trucks in long haul Volvo FM380 4x2 Tractor

A CUSTOMER MAGAZINE FROM VOLVO TRUCKS · #2 2019

It takes more than driving

3 VOLVO TRUCKS MAGAZINE #02/2019

A robust solution tailored to the unique demands of Coal Transportation.Mining – it doesn’t get tougher than this. The same is true of our trucks. A Volvo mining truck is robust, durable and reinforced where it matters. Delivering power and strength for continuous action with heavy loads in the most demanding conditions. Reliably and efficiently. With Volvo, you get industry-leading performance, cost saving fuel efficiency and precision manoeuvring to keep things moving quickly and safely. In many cases, we offer professional on-site support and service planning to ensure maximum truck utilization.

To know more visit www.volvotrucks.in or write to us at [email protected] Phone: +91 80 6788 7000, Fax: +91 80 6788 7124

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Volvo Trucks. Driving Progress

at the frontierof coal TRANSPORTATION

ASDC Pvt. Ltd.S S Chhatwal & Co. Ltd.

best performance2018-19 in Coal ContractorSegment by WCL.

Customer Recognition


CONTENTS

TIME TO GROW THE GREEN

Need of the hour: save the existing mature trees

PAGE 28


India Fuelwatch, 2019 - A Driver’s Challenge

PAGE 04

Thriving through decades of experience in Road

Construction

G R Infraprojects Ltd.

PAGE 14

Your passion will lead you to your purpose

Sanjay Udyog Pvt. Ltd.

PAGE 06

On the frontline

Volvo’s Competence Development Challenge

PAGE 24

“The success of your journey and your destination depends on who is driving,” said singer and song writer Bruce Springsteen and when it comes to fuel efficient driving it is the absolute truth. Driving is a performing art, which needs training, nurturing and practice.

It is not any different when it comes to driving Volvo trucks. The trucks are the best in business, but to get the maximum out of them solely depends on the driver. As fuel costs account for more than 70% of the operational costs, it is up to a good driver to maximize productivity.

That is why we at Volvo Trucks are committed to supporting the driver in every way possible – helping to take even the best drivers to a higher level. After all driving a heavy vehicle requires certain skills.

Fuel efficient driving means more than getting

the vehicle from point A to point B. Safe, efficient driving has a big positive impact on the bottom line, while contributing to real change and social progress in the community. Drivers are the tools that you need to sharpen, to drive your business.

Fuelwatch – from a competition to a religion Years ago, Volvo realized that the final results for fuel efficiency lies in making the drivers understand the importance of state-of-the-art technology that they work with and the best driving practices. Because in commercial vehicle operations, the difference between normal

driving practices and the best driving practices can result in a major difference in fuel consumption. Fuelwatch is a competition that started out in 2010 in India, specially designed for Volvo Tipper drivers. Over the years the competition has proven that the best drivers have achieved upto 25% better fuel efficiency.

The results have convinced operators to encourage their drivers to adopt the ‘Best Driving Practices’ as a Bible. Whatever be the site, the principles remain the same.

feature


5 VOLVO TRUCKS MAGAZINE #02/20194 VOLVO TRUCKS MAGAZINE #02/2019

Driver Training – The first step in the right direction The success of a journey begins with the first step and in this case it is Driver Training that has been prescribed across the world. In India, even before Volvo launched its first truck, a Driver Training Center was set up to educate drivers about the advanced technology of the high performing Volvo trucks. The Volvo Driver Training Center works all year round to train drivers. So far we have trained over 1,08,000+ drivers to enhance their skills.

India Fuelwatch Truck transport might be your business, but for us at Volvo, trucks are our passion. It is our business to ensure that you get the most from your fleet. Volvo Trucks initiated the Fuelwatch competition on a global platform, where professional truck drivers of on-road and off-road applications competed to drive in the best fuel efficient manner possible. These competitions helped bring out the fact that there is always room for improvement with better driving practices and it goes a long way in higher savings.

In India, the competition encouraged drivers across the regions to understand the nuances of fine driving and how they could help fleet operations achieve business goals. The competition also helped understand the importance of timely maintenance, which ensures high vehicle uptime, delivering higher productivity and maximum reliability.

India Fuelwatch 2019 - A Drivers’ Challenge is our most demanding competition ever. The goal is to elevate the role of the truck driver and highlight the importance of efficient driving skills. To do this, the competition will challenge the driver’s skills in the areas of fuel efficiency, safety and productivity – all vital to promoting professional pride, the customer’s bottom line and social progress in communities everywhere.

Take Fuel Efficiency. Did you know that the driver can influence fuel consumption by upto 30%? Being a driver is a big responsibility. Not just in terms of improving the bottom line but also reducing emissions. And there’s always room for improvement. At Volvo Trucks, we are committed to supporting the driver in every way possible. A good example is our Driver Development programme – driver skills and competence matter.

Take Productivity. Even a small increase in productivity will have a big impact on the bottom line. And the driver plays an important role. Studies show that a trained driver is more likely to get each assignment done safely and more efficiently, while also taking better care of the truck. At Volvo Trucks, we are committed to supporting the driver in every way possible. From technical innovations like I-Shift to our Driver

Development programme. After all, driver skills and competence matter.

Take safety. Did you know that about 35% of serious injuries or fatalities in accidents involving trucks are vulnerable road users, such as children and cyclists? The driver has an important responsibility. Lives are at stake. At Volvo Trucks, safety has always been the top priority. And we are committed to doing everything we can to support the driver. Our Driver Development programme, for example, includes training for safer driving. After all, a skilled and attentive driver is more likely to avoid accidents from happening in the first place. Yes, driver skills are vital.

The Ten Commandments to fuel efficient driving

1. Plan your trip - Plan your driving route in advance where possible, keep to flat roads or choose a route that minimizes engine horsepower requirement and the need to use brakes.- Get the latest updates on road, weather and traffic conditions.- Try to avoid rush hours.

2. Always conduct vehicle checks

- Daily routine checks covering front to rear, interior and exterior of the vehicle are vital for both safety and vehicle uptime. - Check that the vehicle runs normally before you start your journey. - Ensure mirrors and seat positions are adjusted correctly. - Check the tyre pressure regularly and ensure it is properly inflated. Lack of tyre pressure increases fuel consumption significantly in the long run.

3. Do not overload the vehicle- The amount of load is directly linked to the vehicle’s fuel consumption. Therefore avoid excessive and unnecessary loads. - Be aware of the legal limit and the maximum safe capacity of the truck.

4. Mind your own health and body- Always get enough rest and relax before long distance driving. - Stretch before starting on a long journey, this

helps to improve blood circulation and reduce physical aches and pains while driving. - If you are tired on the road, take a break! - Stay hydrated.

5. Maintain a constant speed- Operate at a constant speed and keep speed as low as practical. - Avoid strong and sudden use of the brake and accelerator pedals. - Anticipate road conditions and always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. This reduces the tendency of braking and increases fuel economy.

6. Minimize gear shifting- Maximise top gear usage as much as you can. - Do not shift down too early while slowing down.

7. Learn to coast like a pro- Back off the accelerator – let the truck roll- Keep brake application to the minimum and maintain a safe momentum.- Take advantage of the terrain to keep moving with minimum effort.- Fuel burn is directly proportional to accelerator pressure, so a light right foot is crucial.

8. Minimize idling- Minimize unnecessary idling.- Park, brake on, engine off.

9. Conduct regular vehicle maintenance- Regular vehicle maintenance can reduce wear and tear, and the need for repairs and reducing the costs as well.

10. Always be safe- Plan your route where possible; avoid bad weather conditions and traffic congestions. - Conduct proper and regular checks/ maintenance to ensure that your vehicle is in top condition.- Do not overload.- Do not use your mobile phone while driving.- Do not drink alcohol before or during the drive. This can decrease alertness and impair judgment.- Keep to a safe speed without sudden braking or acceleration.

The India Fuelwatch 2019 - A Drivers’ Challenge will feature drivers across India on 16-17 July, 2019 where skills are measured at various stations. Join us at Korba, India to motivate the drivers.


YOUR PASSION WILL LEAD YOU TO YOUR PURPOSE

Sanjay Khemka is a tall, soft spoken man. One would mistake him to be an academician or a researcher. Under his calm demeanor is a man who is highly enthusiastic and with a steely resolve to do everything that he is passionate about. He dabbles in hospitality, real estate and dealerships, while his passion was, is and always will be mining. He is also a keen Rotarian. In conversation with Mr. Sanjay Khemka, Managing Director, Sanjay Udyog Pvt. Ltd., a company specializing in coal handling and mining in Dhanbad.

Sanjay Udyog Pvt. Ltd.


customer story

id you know your calling? Does anyone remember what they wanted from life when in the 9th grade? A young lad of 16 in Dhanbad apparently did and began his tryst with mining. So passionate was he about mining

that in a span of two critical years of high school, he changed his school thrice, just to be near the mining sites where all the action was happening. He would visit the site after school travelling in local trains, auto rickshaws or even sharing a scooter and then go back home once the mines had finished loading for the day.

In 1945, the Khemka family came from Burma on a boat with whatever life savings they had. His father Mr. Shivkumar Khemka began working with a partner in the loading business in mines. He strived to make a mark in the industry and grew slowly and steadily. The business partner had a pay loader which he could not maintain. So young Sanjay offered to take over that machine to make it work. In 1986 the 16-year old took over the pay loader, which was so badly maintained that it took him 3 years to actually put it to work.

Integrity lessons early in the day. A whimsical Sanjay Khemka reminisces of his early days as he narrates about the time when he managed to get some out of turn loading done with his pay loader. He earned some money and proudly came and told his father of his achievements. His dad asked him, how much money will you find in a rich man’s house? Sanjay said lots of money. His father told him, “if stealing is what you want to do, then go rob people. Don’t do business”. The ethics of running a legal entity was ingrained into the young boy at a very early stage.

Till this day the values instilled are followed to the end. He says “this is a business where you get so many opportunities to misuse power, resources etc., but we are struggling because we have decided to walk the straight line”. We have a coke oven plant which is not operating because we do not have a legal linkage of coal.”

Life is all about giving it back to the society. The Khemkas are one of the well-known social workers in Dhanbad. From setting up dialysis centers in Dhanbad, to adopting hospitals, to building a school for children with special needs, they are large hearted when it comes to societal responsibilities.

Mr. Sanjay Khemka, a keen Rotarian himself is now supporting a number of social causes in Dhanbad and was adjudged the best District Governor in Eastern India for

empowering over 1000 women with sewing machines, building toilets in rural Bihar & Jharkhand and initiating eye hospitals and dialysis centres.

Testing waters in coal handling. In 1992 Sanjay Khemka forayed into coal handling and in 2005 he worked on a contract for coal production for Dhansar Engineering. This was the beginning of his journey with Volvo Tippers. To execute a contract for Dhansar Engineering, Sanjay Khemka invested in the first 5 Volvo Tippers to operate in ISCO mines. For 8 years he worked as a sub contractor and never really saw success. So he took a sabbatical to introspect what was going wrong.

Running on his own steam and Volvo. It then dawned on him that it would be better if he were to pitch for direct contracts, because the companies he worked for were giving him work in old mines and he was working on someone else’s policies. He managed to get a foothold into BCCL and today is the major company which responsible for their coal handling. The organization was honoured for their services as the ‘most dependable transport agency for coal handling’.

In 2014, he decided to invest in three 33 Cu.m coal body going against the advice of all the naysayers, who felt it was too expensive a proposition and did not make business sense. “I like to experiment with coal and understand how to increase the productivity and efficiency and so I ended up buying the 3 coal body tippers.”

I chose a Volvo because of its dependability. It’s been 3.5 years now, and it has delivered a high level of performance. With the prescribed maintenance the availability of a Volvo Tipper is almost 95%, which is very high when compared to other tippers. The cost per ton is much lower with the 33 Cu.m even though the wages of the drivers have gone up as per the Coal India norms. For any future needs in mining, Volvo would be my first choice.”

It’s all about family. Mr. Shivkumar Khemka’s, his father, instilled strong family values and bonding. The two brothers Sanjay and Ajay live happily in a joint family. Their children who have finished their education are now being groomed into the next generation entrepreneurs and others are studying to become successful entrepreneurs. “We don’t have plans of expanding outside Dhanbad, because my father believes that no business is worth it if you cannot come home to the dinner table, and we respect that”.

“I chose a Volvo because of its dependability. It’s been 3 and a half years now, and it has

delivered a high level of performance. With prescribed maintenance the availability of

a Volvo Tipper is almost 95%, which is very high when compared to other tippers.”

MR. SANJAY KHEMKA, MANAGING DIRECTOR, SANJAY UDYOG PVT. LTD.


I t’s a beautiful autumn day in the deep forests of central Sweden. Bert Johansson, who goes by “Knatte”, a nickname he has had since childhood, sits in his crane cab. He is busy loading 60 tonnes of timber and the eight-metre crane moves quickly and with precision. The crane’s clamp, which deftly grips

and lifts the timber from the pile on the ground to the truck’s trailer, moves like it is an extension of Knatte’s own hand.

After 30 years as a timber driver, Knatte knows exactly how the logs should be placed on the trailer and how he can best navigate the winding forest roads to collect his loads. The daily work of manoeuvring through tight spaces has made him skilled at precision driving, and over the years he has won a number of competitions at the annual Swedish Elmia automotive exhibition. In 2009, he also won the Super Eco Driver Volvo contest, a competition that today’s Driver Challenge is modelled on, and this year he came second in the global final against 32 contenders from other countries. Many of the other competitors who battled for the top spots in the Swedish final are also timber drivers, and Knatte has his own theory about why he and his industry colleagues do so well.

“As a timber driver you get to know exactly where the corners of the truck are and where the trailer is, otherwise you would easily get stuck and left alone in the woods. And we must constantly keep an eye on fuel efficiency and optimise fuel consumption because we always drive full loads,” he explains.

Since he was 19 and started working for Sommens Transport, which was then his father’s transport company, Knatte has closely followed the development of trucks and trailers. In those days, there was no crane cab, so he and his colleagues needed to sit outside in a shed during loading and unloading, all year round. And due to the weaker engines back then, it was also more common for trucks to get stuck. Before Dynafleet was introduced and the positioning service made it possible to follow each truck from afar, timber drivers who got stuck were completely left to their own devices out in the forest. Knatte recalls several times when he had to go out and search for colleagues who did not come back after their shift was over.

“The uncertainty was the worst. Today I can always follow where my trucks are and see if they are rolling or standing still. That provides real peace of mind, both to me and my employees,” he says.

Today Knatte’s Volvo FH16 trucks are equipped with 750 hp engines in order to make starting his 64-tonne-heavy vehicle combination in rugged terrain easier. He’s also had I-Shift since the gearbox was first introduced, and believes that it, along with Volvo Dynamic Steering, has contributed to a more comfortable and calmer driving experience.

“I’m much more rested after a work shift today than when I started out as a driver,” he says as he climbs out of the crane cab.

This is Knatte’s second run for the day. Since he started working at four o’clock in the morning, he fits in a break to take a look around in the forest. Even though he is only

SOMMENS TRANSPORT

BACKGROUND:Sommens Transport was founded in 1964 by Knatte’s dad, Bertil Johansson. During the 70s, the company became wholly focused on timber transport.

SERVICES:Transport of timber and wood chips, primarily for forestry companies and private sawmills.

“We must constantly keep an eye on fuel efficiency and optimise fuel consumption because we

always drive full loads.”

BERT ‘KNATTE’ JOHANSSON, DRIVER AND HAULIER

BUSINESS STORY


VTM_3-18_GB_en.indb 10 2019-03-11 14:28


I t’s a beautiful autumn day in the deep forests of central Sweden. Bert Johansson, who goes by “Knatte”, a nickname he has had since childhood, sits in his crane cab. He is busy loading 60 tonnes of timber and the eight-metre crane moves quickly and with precision. The crane’s clamp, which deftly grips

and lifts the timber from the pile on the ground to the truck’s trailer, moves like it is an extension of Knatte’s own hand.

After 30 years as a timber driver, Knatte knows exactly how the logs should be placed on the trailer and how he can best navigate the winding forest roads to collect his loads. The daily work of manoeuvring through tight spaces has made him skilled at precision driving, and over the years he has won a number of competitions at the annual Swedish Elmia automotive exhibition. In 2009, he also won the Super Eco Driver Volvo contest, a competition that today’s Driver Challenge is modelled on, and this year he came second in the global final against 32 contenders from other countries. Many of the other competitors who battled for the top spots in the Swedish final are also timber drivers, and Knatte has his own theory about why he and his industry colleagues do so well.

“As a timber driver you get to know exactly where the corners of the truck are and where the trailer is, otherwise you would easily get stuck and left alone in the woods. And we must constantly keep an eye on fuel efficiency and optimise fuel consumption because we always drive full loads,” he explains.

Since he was 19 and started working for Sommens Transport, which was then his father’s transport company, Knatte has closely followed the development of trucks and trailers. In those days, there was no crane cab, so he and his colleagues needed to sit outside in a shed during loading and unloading, all year round. And due to the weaker engines back then, it was also more common for trucks to get stuck. Before Dynafleet was introduced and the positioning service made it possible to follow each truck from afar, timber drivers who got stuck were completely left to their own devices out in the forest. Knatte recalls several times when he had to go out and search for colleagues who did not come back after their shift was over.

“The uncertainty was the worst. Today I can always follow where my trucks are and see if they are rolling or standing still. That provides real peace of mind, both to me and my employees,” he says.

Today Knatte’s Volvo FH16 trucks are equipped with 750 hp engines in order to make starting his 64-tonne-heavy vehicle combination in rugged terrain easier. He’s also had I-Shift since the gearbox was first introduced, and believes that it, along with Volvo Dynamic Steering, has contributed to a more comfortable and calmer driving experience.

“I’m much more rested after a work shift today than when I started out as a driver,” he says as he climbs out of the crane cab.

This is Knatte’s second run for the day. Since he started working at four o’clock in the morning, he fits in a break to take a look around in the forest. Even though he is only

SOMMENS TRANSPORT

BACKGROUND:Sommens Transport was founded in 1964 by Knatte’s dad, Bertil Johansson. During the 70s, the company became wholly focused on timber transport.

SERVICES:Transport of timber and wood chips, primarily for forestry companies and private sawmills.

“We must constantly keep an eye on fuel efficiency and optimise fuel consumption because we

always drive full loads.”

BERT ‘KNATTE’ JOHANSSON, DRIVER AND HAULIER

BUSINESS STORY


VTM_3-18_GB_en.indb 10 2019-03-11 14:28

SOMMENS TRANSPORT

Founded in:1964.

Owner: Bert ”Knatte” Johansson.

Largest customers:Södra and Holmen.

Number of drivers: 14 (Knatte included).

Number of trucks:7 (6 are Volvo FH16 750’s).

Gross combined weight:64 tonnes.

Retention time per truck:3–4 years.

Volvo functions:I-Shift, Volvo Dynamic Steering, Tandem Axle Lift, Dynafleet, I-Cruise, I-See.

Knatte delivers a load to the sawmill Bergs Timber, which is about 150 kilometres from today’s loading depot.Left: Knatte together with his local Volvo dealer Johan Ejdehage at Rejmes.Above: Fully loaded, Knattes vehicle combination weights 64 tonnes.

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VTM_3-18_GB_en.indb 11 2019-03-11 14:28


programmes 99 percent of the time. If you have cruise control, I-See works perfectly since the system thinks for you. If I tried to drive as fuel e�ciently as the system does when I am driving manually, I would need full concentration throughout the day. I

just can’t maintain that level of focus for such a long time,” he says.

To get really skilled at fuel-e�cient driving, Knatte says that you need to avoid the gas pedal as much as possible – that you can coast much more than people expect. He also tries to learn how the technology in the truck works, and then test the di�erent systems to get the best results.

Knatte points to the display and explains how I-See makes a di�erence: “Now I’ve been coasting for a long time, but I would’ve otherwise never taken my foot o� the gas so early. Volvo has really managed to develop a smart system,” he says.

A�er about two hours of driving, Knatte turns into the sawmill and unloads the timber. �e air is full of sawdust and the giant plant smells of fresh wood. Everywhere there are huge piles of logs – their ends branded and tagged with �aps

“If you have cruise control, I-See works perfectly since the

system thinks for you.”

BERT ”KNATTE” JOHANSSON, DRIVER AND HAULIER

30 kilometres from his company o�ces in Tranås, he’s never been here before. Many landowners only fell trees at a certain spot once during a lifetime, so the areas for loading timber vary from day to day. Knatte feels a lot of responsibility towards his customers whose livelihood he is transporting, and believe that he is performing a key function in the supply chain.

“I have always been interested in the forest because it’s so important for Sweden. Everyone wants building material for their houses and paper for their toilets. I also enjoy the calm and freedom of the forest – it’s very important to me,” he says, climbing back onto the truck cab to drive on.

His destination is the sawmill Bergs Timber in Mörlunda, about 150 kilometres from where he is now. As soon as he leaves the most di�cult forest roads and comes out onto a paved country road, Knatte turns on the cruise control I-Cruise. He also activates the I-See fuel-saving programme that scans the road ahead of him and plans the driving to make it as fuel-e�cient as possible.

“On paved country roads and highways, I use these

The truck Knatte drives has the latest version of I-See, I-See Map Based. The technology retrieves data about the road through a cloud service, increasing the accuracy of the recommendations the system gives to the driver.

BUSINESS STORY


BUSINESS STORY

VTM_3-18_GB_en.indb 12 2019-03-11 14:28


programmes 99 percent of the time. If you have cruise control, I-See works perfectly since the system thinks for you. If I tried to drive as fuel e�ciently as the system does when I am driving manually, I would need full concentration throughout the day. I

just can’t maintain that level of focus for such a long time,” he says.

To get really skilled at fuel-e�cient driving, Knatte says that you need to avoid the gas pedal as much as possible – that you can coast much more than people expect. He also tries to learn how the technology in the truck works, and then test the di�erent systems to get the best results.

Knatte points to the display and explains how I-See makes a di�erence: “Now I’ve been coasting for a long time, but I would’ve otherwise never taken my foot o� the gas so early. Volvo has really managed to develop a smart system,” he says.

A�er about two hours of driving, Knatte turns into the sawmill and unloads the timber. �e air is full of sawdust and the giant plant smells of fresh wood. Everywhere there are huge piles of logs – their ends branded and tagged with �aps

“If you have cruise control, I-See works perfectly since the

system thinks for you.”

BERT ”KNATTE” JOHANSSON, DRIVER AND HAULIER

30 kilometres from his company o�ces in Tranås, he’s never been here before. Many landowners only fell trees at a certain spot once during a lifetime, so the areas for loading timber vary from day to day. Knatte feels a lot of responsibility towards his customers whose livelihood he is transporting, and believe that he is performing a key function in the supply chain.

“I have always been interested in the forest because it’s so important for Sweden. Everyone wants building material for their houses and paper for their toilets. I also enjoy the calm and freedom of the forest – it’s very important to me,” he says, climbing back onto the truck cab to drive on.

His destination is the sawmill Bergs Timber in Mörlunda, about 150 kilometres from where he is now. As soon as he leaves the most di�cult forest roads and comes out onto a paved country road, Knatte turns on the cruise control I-Cruise. He also activates the I-See fuel-saving programme that scans the road ahead of him and plans the driving to make it as fuel-e�cient as possible.

“On paved country roads and highways, I use these

The truck Knatte drives has the latest version of I-See, I-See Map Based. The technology retrieves data about the road through a cloud service, increasing the accuracy of the recommendations the system gives to the driver.

BUSINESS STORY


BUSINESS STORY

VTM_3-18_GB_en.indb 12 2019-03-11 14:28

1 2 3 4 5 6

i-see - Saves up to 5 per cent fuel

to indicate the order number, the supplier, and name of the landowner. Knatte marks out his cargo before starting his journey back.

Today he does the drive back without a load – something he would rather avoid. Until a couple of years ago, there was a sawmill near Tranås, but since it closed, Knatte has needed to get new customers to secure the home loads. For example, he takes some loads to Eksjöhus, a producer of prefabricated houses, which has its own sawmill 50 kilometres from Tranås.

On the occasions when he has to drive without a load, he always uses the Tandem Axle Li� feature to reduce fuel consumption. In the long run, it will have an impact since his seven trucks shuttle back and forth in 24-hour shi�s.

Knatte admits that it is not always possible to live as he learns, and that both he and his employees sometimes need to compromise on fuel e�ciency, especially on stressful days with a lot of work.

1.BUILDS MOMENTUMI-See knows when a hill is ahead, so the truck accelerates and remains in a higher gear for a longer time.

2.AVOIDS DOWNSHIFTINGBy preventing needless gearchanges, I-See makes your uphill climb smoother and more fuel-efficient.

3.CURBS SPEED ON THE CRESTWhen the downhill is approaching, I-See stops the truck from accelerating unnecessarily.

4.COASTS BEFORE THE DOWNHILLTo save energy and minimise braking, I-See temporarily disengages the driveline just before a downhill slope.

5.CONTROL DOWNHILL BRAKINGI-See knows where one slope ends and the next begins. It applies the auxillary brakes as needed for maximum efficiency.

6.PREPARES FOR THE NEXT CLIMBWhen going uphill, I-See lets the truck coast, building speed and momentum for an effortless climb.

“�en it’s important that we make up lost ground through increased productivity. �at’s the key balance that I always try to

convey to my drivers,” he says.A person who has been important to

Knatte when it comes to knowing how to maximise the results from Volvo

Trucks’ technology is his local dealer, Johan Ejdehage at Rejmes. Johan’s

dad sold trucks to Knatte’s father Bertil for 24 years, and a�er both he and Knatte took over their father’s respective businesses, they themselves have worked together for more than two decades. Johan

usually accompanies Knatte when he competes at Volvo driving

competitions, and together they discuss how to drive to get the best results.

“During the world final in the Driver Challenge, I noticed that many other competitors chose

to manually shi� gears, but I didn’t. I just put in one gear change manually during a single uphill drive! �at really proves that the technology in Volvo trucks works well,” says Knatte. �

VTM_3-18_GB_en.indb 13 2019-03-11 14:28


1965: Mr. Gumani Ram Agarwal from a remote village Sekhawati in Churu Dist., Rajasthan is standing at a road construction site along the India Pakistan border. There is minimal automation. Mr. Gumani Ram Agarwal with his cousins is delivering a road construction project worth around INR 10 lakh. Did he envision the enormity of the business prospects then?

2019: Mr. Devki Nandan Agarwal, the eldest born of Mr. Gumani Ram Agarwal along with his brothers today run G R Infraprojects with 11,000 employees, over 30,000 contractual employees, a fleet of over 2000 vehicles and 4000 drivers. G R Infraprojects is a major player in the national EPC segment with a cluster of roads/highway construction projects under development across 18 states with pan India visibility.

G R Infraprojects Ltd.

Thriving through decades of experience in Road Construction

customer story


T his is the narrative of one man’s vision which was followed up by people with a good business acumend and kind hearts to

build an organization that is a formidable name to reckon with in the road construction space across the country. A saga of passion and prosperity, of challenges and the relentless struggle of Mr. Devki Nandan Agarwal and his siblings, second generation entrepreneurs, who ardently believe in their father’s words ‘if opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door’.

The journey begins when the first step is taken In 1976, Mr. Gumani had to slow down his pace due to health issues. After a lull of two years his six sons started fuelling the business slowly. They built it step by step, moving to Jodhpur, where there were more opportunities. In 1984 they moved to Udaipur, where they worked on a number of smaller projects. In 1992 they renamed their business G R Agarwal Builders & Developers Ltd. In 2004-2005 they took baby steps into road construction when they worked as a sub-contractor with Ashoka Buildcon on the Sherghad-Ramji Goud Highway. Their primary business operations are broadly divided into three categories: Civil construction activities, Development of roads and highways on a BOT basis and manufacturing activities, under which it processes Bitumen, Manufacture of thermoplastic road-marking paint and road signages and fabrication and galvanization of metal crash barriers.

The pillars of GR Infraprojects Mr. Devki Nandan Agarwal looks after the maintenance of equipment, his brother Mr. Vinod Kumar is the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Mahendar Agarwal is in charge of the machinery, Mr. Ajendra Agarwal looks after the tenders and design and Mr. Purushottam Agarwal is in charge of Finance. Like fingers of a hand, they work together for the common good of G R Infraprojects Ltd.

Volvo Trucks partnering progress G R Infrastructure is currently working on projects worth over INR 20,000 Cr. The Devarapalli Gundu Golanu 4 -lane project is where the tippers were to be deployed. These projects are time bound and carry a heavy penalty if timelines are not met. They were looking for higher productivity and efficiency. They met their match when they were introduced to FM380 8x4 Construction Tippers.

The Volvo FM380 8x4 is robust, durable and reinforced where it matters. It is a Construction Tipper that exudes toughness and robustness in Road Construction applications. G R Infraprojects assessed the Volvo FM380 8x4 and found it

compatible on every count. They are the first customers of the Volvo FM380 8x4 to have bought 10 tippers.

Mr. Devki Nandan is all praise for the high uptime and the productivity of these trucks at site. This is the first fleet of Volvo’s that are being inducted into their fleet.

“I think Volvo Trucks as a whole wants to grow with our business. They want to be a part of the business. Every step of the way, they’ve been working with us.”

Everyone has a responsibility to the society “We believe that we have roles to play in the society and what we take from the society must be given back”, says Mr. Agarwal. Inheriting values and culture from his parents, the Agarwal siblings help the society by making the milieu around communities to be healthy.

“This is the way we do business.” Mr. Agarwal says with pride. Mr. Agarwal spares no effort in strongly supporting the 30,000 strong taskforce that makes them successful by providing financial support, community development, infrastructure back-up, healthcare and education. As a CSR initiative, wherever we work, we build schools for their children. One such school is being built in the rural areas of Udaipur”, says Mr. Agarwal. “We have adopted a child ward in one of Udaipur’s Government Hospitals in our father’s village. We renovated it completely making it children friendly - complete with cartoon murals, toys and attractive paint jobs. We installed 90 high quality beds as a total makeover of the child ward in government hospitals. Our efforts for making the society better will continue. This is what gives us a sense of accomplishment”, says Mr. Agarwal.

Volvo Trucks is proud to partner with GR Infraprojects Pvt. Ltd. and be the right solutions partner in their future endeavors.

“In our business there are 3 key challenges; namely Cost-efficiency, Productivity and Uptime and the

FM380 8x4 alongwith the Volvo support solutions, address these key challenges.”

DEVKI NANDAN AGARWAL, PRESIDENT, PLANT & EQUIPMENT, G R INFRAPROJECTS PVT. LTD.

Customers Challenge. Our Opportunities. In road construction, punctuality is totally decisive, and our customers based across the globe are unique with their demands. They operate with multiple businesses and are faced with specific challenges. In spite of the differences, they have one thing in common: they have chosen us as a supplier. It is great to experience this confidence, but it also represents a huge responsibility.

We have to earn this trust, day after day, year after year. In our relationship with our customers, we naturally learn about their businesses in detail. This insight enables us to create value for them by putting together the right solutions from our product portfolio of products, services and financing. In our daily partnership with our customers, we are also given ideas to make our efforts even better in the future. DEEPAK AGARWAL, HEAD OF BUSINESS, CONSTRUCTION & INFRA, VOLVO TRUCKS INDIA


AT THE FOREFRONT VOLVO FM380 4X2 TRACTOR

YOUR ROAD TO EFFICIENT PERFORMANCE

We understand that every logistic operation is unique. Consumers are becoming more demanding and the operations more efficient. This scenario demands a truck tailored to the needs of your loads, routes and driver. A truck that gives you high productivity, excellent fuel efficiency matched with reliable performance and unbeatable profitability over the life-cycle; complemented with a well equipped ergonomic and one of the safest cabins in the industry.

The Volvo FM380 4x2 brings all of the above and more setting the standard in the long haul and inter-regional transport. It is designed with innovation and care and configured to your requirements and driving conditions. Industry leading I-Shift removes the fatigue factor out of a driver. With Volvo Trucks long haul solution, you can look forward to a successful and profitable operation.

feature

UP TIME

We at Volvo Trucks make superior trucks and back it up with superior support systems to ensure the best Uptime for your trucks. We have raised the bar through our Uptime centers. A digital home for a more profitable transport operations. It helps bring your business together, saves time, eliminates hassle and gives you a clearer understanding of the things that matter. Helping you to prepare, plan and continuously improve. This way you can take truck uptime, efficiency and productivity to new heights.

FUEL EFFICIENCY

Fuel accounts for upto 50% of long haul operation costs and we at Volvo Trucks, make sure you get the most from every drop. The powertrain developed in-house gives you a perfect balance between driveability and fuel economy. The world class Volvo engine with a wide range of maximum torque and our industry-leading I-Shift automated gearbox will keep you at the forefront of fuel and performance. I-Shift is standard in all Volvo trucks.

The intelligent electronic control unit constantly receives information about vehicle speed, acceleration, weight, road grade, torque demand and, it carries out every shift with extreme precision. It also communicates closely with the engine, which in turn adjusts revs and engine brake effect for fast and comfortable shifting making it one of the most fuel efficient engines in the world.


DRIVER COMFORT

We have designed one of the most comfortable cabins in the world to provide the most conducive atmosphere for the driver to be at his productive best. A driver who is comfortable and in control is more likely to be alert and driving safely. A comfortable sleeper bunk on a pneumatic suspended cabin ensures that the co-driver is resting while the driver is driving comfortably. And that’s what the driving and living environment of a Volvo cab is all about. To ensure an optimal ergonomic driving position, the Steering Wheel and Driver’s Seat can be adjusted to meet the driver’s exact preferences, while the advanced sound and infotainment system enhances the in-cab experience.

SAFET Y

We have one of the safest cabs in the world, made of high strength steel and cleared by the Swedish cab strength standards – the toughest in the world. In addition to offering outstanding driver visibility, our trucks are designed with advanced driver support systems like Auto parking brake, VEB+, Electronic Brake System (EBS), Electronic Stability program (ESP), Static Cornering lamp, electrical heated main and wide angle mirrors on both sides, close view mirror on passenger side, Red safety belt and driver air bag.


Driving conditions in south-western Norway are extreme due to the topography, bad road conditions and shifting weather patterns. “Some people are scared stiff when driving here. Occasionally I need to stop my truck to direct traffic and also help people reverse their cars in order to move on.”

THE ASSIGNMENT


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Driving conditions in south-western Norway are extreme due to the topography, bad road conditions and shifting weather patterns. “Some people are scared stiff when driving here. Occasionally I need to stop my truck to direct traffic and also help people reverse their cars in order to move on.”

THE ASSIGNMENT


VTM_3-18_GB_en.indb 24 2019-03-11 14:28

N ORWEGIAN ROADS cannot be compared to anything else. It’s definitely not a place for daydreaming – you have to be completely focused”, special transporter Jarle Tveiten says, his eyes fixed on the road as he takes a narrow turn.

The landscape he drives through is breathtakingly beautiful, and a popular tourist destination due to its many mountains, waterfalls and deep fjords. Yet for drivers, its beauty can be deceptive. The narrow and winding roads are in poor condition, and there is a major risk of rock slides. In the autumn and long, cold winter, the weather becomes harsh with a lot of rain, snow and ice, and in the summer, tourists taking photos can suddenly appear around a bend, carelessly standing in the middle of the road. In some places, the roads are too narrow for two vehicles to pass, and the only solution is for one of them to reverse all the way to the nearest lay-by.

“SOME PEOPLE are scared stiff when driving here. Occasionally I need to stop my truck to direct traffic and also help people reverse their cars in order to move on. Driving on these roads, you have to cooperate in traffic”, Jarle says.

But to stop his Volvo FH16 750 truck is not something he likes to do unnecessarily. His trailer contains custom-made water tanks filled with living fish that can die in just five minutes time if he’s not careful. There is big value in fish, and the load of juvenile halibut he’s currently carrying is worth around 400,000 euro. Due to tough insurance rules and animal protection regulations, a moment of carelessness could hit his business hard. So, aside from the road, he also needs to keep close track of the surveillance system next to the dashboard that indicates the conditions in the tanks, such as oxygen level, ph value and temperature. It’s a difficult task that takes time to master, but having spent 30 years as a fish transporter, Jarle is a real expert. During his first years in the industry he transported fish all over Europe to countries like Spain, Portugal, Greece, The Shetland Islands and Scotland. This gave him the experience he needed to expand his haulage company from a one-man-one-truck business into a major transporter of live fish. For

JARLE TVEITEN, OWNER AND TRUCK DRIVER, JARLE TVEITEN TRANSPORT AS

“When I was about to start truck driving, transporting fish

was simply what interested me. Working with living creatures

definitely makes my work much more interesting”

many years now, his business has focused on Norway and Sweden, establishing itself as one of the best in its field. But even though he now owns a total of 10 Volvo trucks and employs several other drivers, he’s still out on the road doing deliveries. Today’s fish will be transported all the way to Rørvik in Trøndelag. To get there, he has to take the ferry between Jondal and his small home village of Tørvikbygd, located next to the Hardanger fjord where he has lived all his life. As he approaches the harbour, he points across the fjord towards the house where he grew up only five metres from the quay.

“I USED TO lay down on the pier there and fish for hours when I was a kid. My father also loves fishing, and we had fish for dinner almost every day. When I was about to start truck driving, transporting fish was simply what interested me. Working with living creatures definitely makes my work much more interesting”, Jarle says with a smile.

Even though Tørvikbygd is a small village, it has become an important gateway due to the ferry line to Jondal, from where there are connections to eastern and southern Norway. The traffic over the fjord has dramatically increased during the last couple of years, and nowadays, an impressive 25,000-30,000 vehicles cross every month. Jarle has taken this ferry thousands of times.


VTM_3-18_GB_en.indb 25 2019-03-11 14:28


He primarily transports juvenile salmon, trout and wrasse to Norwegian fish farms.

”Being a driver here means you have to adjust to the road and to nature. We have to cross the fjord almost everywhere we go, and we learn to live with it. Sometimes I need to take up to seven ferries when I do a single delivery,” he says as he drives on board.

The ride takes about twenty minutes. As he disembarks, his concentration deepens as he continues on trunk road seven – an old road that connects the city of Bergen to Oslo. It hasn’t been repaired in years and is full of bad tarmac and potholes. Some twenty kilometres further it becomes increasingly hazardous, as the mountain steepens on one side and the fjord is suddenly hundreds of metres below on the other. The levee that separates the road from the drop is only half a metre high, making it easy for a car to roll over and free-fall into the water.

“THIS IS A mean stretch of road. When you’ve been driving as long as I have, you’ve witnessed how bad it can really get. I have passed by some lethal accidents and I have seen dead people. It makes you think: do I drive in a way to avoid this?”, Jarle says and adds:

“Luckily, my cargo makes me drive in a defensive manner. Also, after all these years, you get used to driving on poor roads. But still, when I sit down in my truck and start to use these roads as my work place, I wish that they were safer”.

Even though the roads are challenging and dangerous, Jarle states that technological improvements in the trucks have made his job much easier now than back when he started his business with a used Volvo all those years ago. Today, he doesn’t worry anymore before a journey, as his Volvo FH16 makes driving a whole new experience in terms of safety and comfort. He also makes sure he has a Gold Contract with Volvo Action Service, as the difficult roads mean his trucks wear more quickly when compared to the rest of Europe.

“SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE are very important on these roads. If the trucks break down I need help fast, otherwise I’m in deep trouble. I have always had a good relationship with the Volvo people, and that’s why I’ve been faithful to Volvo all the way”, he says, as he simultaneously stops his

truck to wait for a passenger car to reverse for him.He is soon to have passed the worst part of his route and

will continue first on road 50 and then on road 52 until he reaches Otta, from where he will move on to his end destination, Rørvik in Trøndelag. He explains that today’s drive is a less common assignment, as most of his loads consist of juvenile brown trout and salmon that he drives to Norway’s large fish farms. He also transports a lot of wrasse, a type of fish that eats parasites and is used by the farms to prevent other fish from becoming sick.

JARLE'S INTEREST IN the fish he transports has grown over time, and he is constantly improving his trucks and tanks in close dialogue with his customers. Apart from the transports and running a company, he also engages in different projects and has been involved in the process of developing the Norwegian regulation system for fish transports. A normal work day is seldom shorter than twelve hours and tends to be much longer. He confesses that his wife and three kids have suffered a bit because of this, but that they’ve gotten used to him constantly working long hours.

“I’m 60 years old now. I have to say, there have been many long days and many challenges. I would never have the energy to do it all over again. It’s not simply a job, it becomes a lifestyle. But I’ve enjoyed it all the way.” n

Jarle buys tandem axle trucks that have space for seven snow chains – essential when driving on Norwegian roads in winter.

Jarle sometimes has to take up to seven ferries to do a single delivery.

In the future, fishing enthusiast Jarle hopes to have more time for his hobby.

THE ASSIGNMENT


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Owner: Jarle Tveiten.

Cargo: Live fish, primarily juvenile salmon, trout and wrasse.

Trucks: Ten Volvo FH16 750 with termo set and tandem axle lift. Customised tanks for living fish built within the trailers.

Clients: Marine Harvest Norway AS, Osland Havbruk AS, Alsaker Fjordbruk

JARLE TVEITEN AS

History: Jarle took over his father’s one-man-one-truck business in 1987. He then changed the business model from the transportation of rocks to live fish.

NORWAY

Sweden

Tørvikbygd

“Service and maintenance are very important on

these roads. If the trucks break down I need help

fast, otherwise I’m in deep trouble.”

JARLE TVEITEN, OWNER AND TRUCK DRIVER,

JARLE TVEITEN TRANSPORT AS

Bergen

Oslo

Sweden

NORWAY

United Kingdom Poland

Finland

Germany


VTM_3-18_GB_en.indb 27 2019-03-11 14:29


competence development challenge

“We are participating for the first time and are excited”.Team: COLLARBONEAll participants of this team are experiencing KITEC for the very first time. Chandrabhushan says, “we are very excited to hear about this competition as it is for the first time that we are participating in any kind of competition in our career”.Chandrabhushan & Waman took the lead to form the team adding Pramod & Gajadhar. We are new to Volvo and want to use this opportunity to learn Technical & Commercial areas of knowledge. KITEC is helping us understand each other’s strengths to work together as a team. Team’s Strategy. We take prints of the question paper and share them amongst ourselves – Gajadhar & Pramod handle Technical questions and Chandrabhushan & Waman handle systems and process related commercial questions. Since 3 of us are based out at the Workshop, we communicate almost everyday and discuss the questions. We also use a Whatsapp group to communicate within the team.

T

Tips to succeed. Dedication & teamwork is the key to succeed in such team based competitions. Of course, advise from senior members is also important to understand the nuances of sourcing answers from different applications.

Team Members: Chandrabhushan Binjhwar, Gajadhar Singh, Pramod Kumar Ram, Waman Kumar Sihare

KITEC gives Volvo Truck & Bus Technicians and Aftermarket employees the opportunity to learn new things and test their skills.

ON THE FRONT LINE

KITEC FACTS

• The competition takes place every two years. Started in 2008 as a small Competence Assessment competition, KITEC into its 6th edition has grown into a full fledged competition with increased participation in each edition.

• This year KITEC has a total of 270 teams with 1059 participants registering from all over India. The split of team category registrations are 87 Bus Teams & 183 Truck Teams.

• We had 31% of the 1059 participants as First Time participants in KITEC.• Around 45% of participants are within 2 years of experience in Volvo.• 99.3% has been the average participation rate in all preliminary Rounds of KITEC 2019.• Around 94% of available Aftermarket employees are participating in KITEC.

The finals for this year would be between 26-27 July, 2019. Do join in to cheer the teams

KITEC has been in existence for more than 10 years and even though a great deal has changed since the beginning, the objective is the same: to encourage employees in Aftermarket to develop, acquire new skills, knowledge and work together as a team. The competition plays an important part in improving the status of the technicians and attracting new service technicians to Volvo Trucks & Buses. The multiple rounds of the competition gives the participants an opportunity to identify the gaps which needs competence development. We bring you voices from KITEC participants of this edition sharing their experiences as it is bigger and better than before.


Team work is keyTeam: Mumbai Jockeys“KITEC 2019 has been good for us as it has taken us into new avenues such as commercials, warranty which we normally do not read. We have even started learning more about Volvo Trucks even though we do not handle trucks regularly. In our day to day work, we sometimes complete the task at hand without referring to process documents, but KITEC makes us connect back with Volvo processes and literature”.

The team has been participating in the past KITEC editions and the questions related to diagnostics, maintenance, repair process, warranty, agreements etc. have helped enhance their competence levels in multiple areas. It has helped to work as a team by distributing responsibilities, which in turn translates to providing better service and thereby an overall richer experience to the Customer.

When they are at site they refer to IMPACT when there is a need, but KITEC has been an eye opener to understanding that. While IMPACT has a lot of information, it is still not the only source they also need to refer to Bus accessories, Truck accessories, Technical service bulletins and Driver manuals. With KITEC this team has learnt the art of sourcing information.

Team’s Strategy. “Since all 4 of our team members are located in different locations and we do not have the

There is no shortcut to success!Team: BackboneKITEC Experience: “This is our second edition of KITEC. The 1st round of the competition was easy compared to Round 2 and we have distributed the questions amongst all the team members and then ended with a discussion before finalizing our answers. Similarly for the Pit stop challenge too we have each taken the e-learning course and then discussed and finalized our answers as a team.”

Improved Customer Satisfaction:“We do not think of KITEC as just a competition, it can also tantamount as a mass competence development program. If an individual participates wholeheartedly in the same then he can develop himself on understanding Volvo Processes, Standards and sourcing information from various literature available this can then translate to better performance on the job. Another important outcome that one can gain from KITEC is learning to function better as a team and developing ones patience. These attributes along with improving technical competence definitely help in bringing change to the business and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Continuous Skill Improvement: “We have learnt many new things in every edition of KITEC. Going through TSB’s, FST’s, checking parts, VST’s, maintenance, Tech tool are all very valuable in terms of gaining knowledge for a PSE. This equips us to handle technicians better and guide them.

Team’s Strategy. “Working together is the motto of Team Backbone. We distribute the questions amongst each member and source the answers individually but post this we always

Team Members: Tapas Manna, Rohan Rinjad, Siddhesh Vaidya, Vinayak Gawde

Team Members: Prithwijit Dasgupta, Fahim Varsi, Shyamal Barai, Roshan Pandey

opportunity to meet, we have had to correspond through calls and WhatsApp only. Our strategy has been to allocate questions in accordance to the strengths and resources available to our team members So it is this distribution that works for us”.

Tips to succeed. Team work is the Key! This competition cannot be won by an individual so the more unity and co-ordination the team has will improve your chances greatly.

regroup regularly and discuss, argue, convince or contest each other till we are all satisfied with the answers selected. Sometimes it is easy to locate the document holding the answer but even then some reasoning maybe needed as the answer may not be a direct answer.

Every team member has a voice and we all put our points across and have them acknowledged. Even the newest member in our team Roshan has put in a lot of efforts and has thereby further strengthened the Backbone”.

Tips to succeed. Teamwork, dedication and passion are the key in such a competition. There is no shortcut to success!


Competence development challengecompetence development challenge

Give your 100% to every questionTeam: Armed Invaders

The team - Armed Invaders is one of the leading teams in the Trucks category of the competition this year. KITEC has helped them get used to the idea of reading. Their jobs being on site, reading was never a habit. Going through the course of the competition they were exposed to technical content like Service Agreements, Warranty, Hydraulic tipping system, etc., which is not referred to in the normal course and this has helped to answer customers in a more effective manner.

“KITEC 2019 has been a great experience so far as we are a leading team! This is possible only because we are a very strong and united team and each team member has contributed towards ensuring that all questions are answered. The questions have been interesting and have allowed us to learn new things. We also enjoyed the Pit stop challenge”.

“We learnt about the Hyva tipping system and new repair kits that are available to be used. Also since we need to answer 5 Bus related questions going through Volvo Bus material has also enhanced our knowledge”, says the team members. Team’s Strategy. Regular interaction and giving their 100% to every question is what has brought the Armed Invaders so far.

A great learning experienceTeam: Avengers

KITEC Experience: “KITEC has been a great experience with a lot of new learning. Round 1 the questions were interesting and we got to learn something about Volvo Trucks as well which is not under our regular scope of activities. The Pit stop challenge of going through the e-learning followed by time bound questions was also interesting”.

Improved Customer Satisfaction:“The competitions are like a mini training program where all team members learn from each other and from reference materials. This knowledge gained is used towards assisting customers and improving uptime”.

Continuous Skill Improvement: “There is no end to this competition since even after the finals we still hold onto and benefit from the learning. It helps us in our preparation before attending a breakdown so that we source the correct IMPACT process, TSB or Diagnostic steps to follow first it. As B8R is a relatively new product we have gained a lot by reading in detail while searching for answers related to the same”.

Team Strategy. “As we have extensive duty hours it becomes difficult to find time for KITEC. But our strategy has been to extend small amounts of time regularly after work. We also divide the questions amongst all team members so that we can complete without too much trouble”.

Team Members: Sunil Mourya, Sanjay Maiti, Navin Raj, Vishal Singh

Team Members: Satveer, Raj Karan, Manoj Chandra, Harvinder

Tips to succeed. The key here is to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses and enable the team to reach its full potential.

Tips to succeed. “Utilize any free time you get in between repairs or in case the work load drops to get onto the vehicle or log onto the portal and begin sourcing information (answers) you will be surprised at the valuable inputs you will be able to gather”.

26-27 June, 2019


There is nothing unusual about Arnab Dutta, a young technician who joined Volvo Trucks 3.5 years ago. Like most of us he goes to work every morning, is part of a 35 member team managing Risk Sharing Agreement in 3 shifts. What is unusual is, ask the customer who they trust with their fleet and they insist on dealing with Arnab. Now if that is not a testimony to commitment and dedication then what is?

Do not walk the beaten track Why would a customer rate Arnab’s service a whopping 9 on a scale of 10? The answer is very simple. Arnab believes customer’s vehicle is his own vehicle. He knows that it is his duty to ensure that the customers get maximum uptime and the vehicles are available at all times. Common attitude is to be reactive, but if one is proactive and foresees a situation, it is possible to deliver more than expectations. The first priority is to identify the vehicles which are not available, plan the parts availability and the availability of resources. The trick is to give the best possible service with the given resources at any given point of time.

Follow the process If you are wondering how Arnab does this day in day out without fail, he says it is very simple; every site has a Site Manual and one has to follow it meticulously. The Site Manual clearly states what to do when something goes wrong, who to call and how to solve the problem in the shortest possible time. Documentation also plays a key role in aiding the right service at the right time. There is a proper channel for communication, which if one follows the hierarchy properly; the problems get addressed quickly as the entire team works in coordination. Arnab began his career handling smaller sites single handed and was later transferred to the SICAL site to join the team of technicians.

Just do it If there is a problem address it immediately. There were two instances where Arnab showed extraordinary problem solving capabilities. Once there was an issue with the rear axle of the tippers and these tippers could not be brought to the workshop and needed attention in the mines itself. The team also found it difficult to work in the mines due to the dusty environment. Arnab says it’s a different high when you start making your own decisions and get the support of the ASM. Curiosity drives him. So Arnab decided to get the repairs done with hand tools, got the tippers to run, and then they were brought to the workshop for finishing the job.

The second instance was when the tipping cylinders of the Hyva body were giving trouble. There was a part of the cylinder that was required, but the part number was missing. The local Hyva team was unable to support due to some local issues, so Arnab with the help of his ASM got in touch with Bangalore and got the required parts to sort the issue and the vehicles were back in operation.

The distance between someone who consistently achieve their goals and those who spend careers without a goal, is the extra mile. This is the precious lesson we learn when we speak with Mr. Arnab Dutta a Service Technician, posted at SICAL Amlori site.

Arnab Dutta hails from a town Kandi in West Bengal and his family consists of his parents, a brother, his sister-in-law and their child. He has a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the Bandwan Govt. Polytechnic College, Purulia, West Bengal.

“I love what I do. When you start a job don’t lose sight of the end result. Once the goal is set, never divert from the path till it is achieved.” Arnab Dutta

“He is highly responsible, reliable and sincere person. Because of his remarkable contribution, the breakdown time reduced is the site. He manages customer relations very well and is good in leading his team. I rate him 9 out of 10 for Customer Satisfaction.” Mr. Vishaw Vandhu B Rai (AGM) SICAL

“Arnab has a positive attitude and is very customer centric. His ownership level is very high and takes responsibility of ensuring the trucks are roadworthy at all times, irrespective of the fact he is on leave at times. He is always in touch with the customer and the customer also considers him the first point of contact in times of need. This is a big asset for us at Volvo Trucks.” Vivekananda Ghorai, ASM – Region North, Volvo Trucks.

Case StudyDriving Progress

DO MORE THAN REQUIRED Location: SICAL Amlori site, India

Customer benefits

• Streamlined site operations

• Having a dependable resource

• Uptime met at par with target

• Cost maintenance under control

Volvo Trucks benefits

• Site operations were managed without any disputes

• Parts consumption reduced from 30% above cap to 12% above cap

• No penalty on uptime imposed

“Once the goal is set,

never divert from the

path till it is achieved.”

ARNAB DUTTA


Need of the hour: save the existing mature treesEnvironmental degradation is now a critical area of concern globally, as the pace of degradation is increasing at a rapid rate. Rampant urbanization, mining and infrastructure development are causing adverse climate changes with severe repercussions like floods and droughts. When it comes to re-planting trees and improving the green cover, there is a significant imbalance and disparity.

While the bigger and moderately mature living trees provide a wide range of benefits like air purification, release of sufficient oxygen, supporting the flora and fauna, reducing the soil erosion, helping conserve energy, reducing the UV-B sun rays impact and acting as the carbon dioxide sinks, the newly planted seedlings and very young trees while helping improve the extent of green cover are no-match in comparison to value

care for the environment

With every passing summer and irregular monsoons we are reminded of the rapidly depleting green cover. While infrastructure growth is a necessity, trees are an integral part of the eco system. Large scale deforestation is the preliminary step in the development of mines and infrastructure development.

Planting new saplings is a welcome move, but too little, too late. With the removal of the mature trees the carbon-di-oxide removal is lesser and affects the social, ecological environment of the region and cannot be reversed with afforestation - by planting saplings.

TIME TO GROW THE GREEN

benefits of a bigger tree. Hence for a sustainable future, it is essential to conserve trees and protect our environment. Trees help carbon sequestration by removing carbon-di-oxide from the environment and improving the quality of air. For e.g. over a period of 50 years, a peepal tree will reduce carbon-di-oxide in the atmosphere by about 7,500 kilograms.

Trees act as mini reservoirs, intercepting rain water in the branches, bark and leaves. Trees also help reduce soil erosion. Trees shelter wildlife and as they age become home to various species.

Giving a new lease of life to trees. Volvo Trucks pioneered the solution to relocate trees and make infrastructure development environmentally sustainable. Many state governments are struggling to relocate trees in the wake of massive infrastructure development in metros. The advanced Volvo Truck Tree Transplanter has already helped transplant


over 3,000 trees across India.The solution specializes in transplanting trees which are between 10 and 20 years of age and 10”-14” diameter, as the maximum amount of carbon sequestration is done by the tree at this stage. The survival rate recorded is 80 per cent.

Our total solution offerWe offer Tree Transplantation solution as two distinct business models;• Volvo Trucks Tree Transplanter - Volvo Trucks will offer

sales and support services of the full equipment.• Tree Transplanting Project - Volvo Trucks will also be

responsible for executing the complete Tree transplanting activities with agreed survival rate of trees after transplantation

• The Volvo Trucks Tree Transplantation Solution is a major collaborative effort between Volvo Trucks India and Institute of Wood Science and Technology under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India. To meet the commitment under the Conference of Parties (CoP 21) treaty, India requires to increase its forest cover by five million hectares along with an improvement in the quality of green cover of an equal measure. But the execution is complex. “You cannot simply halt the infrastructure growth of the one of the fastest growing economy. We need to explore ways and means to ensure environment protection and development go hand-in-hand” says M Srinivasa Rao, IFS officer in government of India. This can be done by transplanting trees to a place where they can thrive. The mission statement is to save every

It is important to sustain the environment and hence the need for a standardized transplantation solution. We have realized that a greener solution lies in technology.

Volvo Truck Volvo Tree-Transplanter Facts

• Volvo Trucks Tree Transplantation was introduced in September 2016 with a pilot project.

• Commercially launched in March 2017.• 3100 Trees Transplanted as of May 2019• Few Key projects to name : Adani Mining -

Chhattisgarh, Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra, Chandrapur Forest Academy, Ranchi Area Industrial Development Authority, NTPC - Patratu, Sobha Builders – Bangalore, Sterlite Power Grid Ventures - Indore, Bangalore International Airport Ltd, Northern Coalfields - Singrauli

• ‘Special Application of the year’ at the Apollo CV Awards 2017 & at the CIA Awards 2018

trees by transplanting them. “With millions of trees being cut every year, we realized that we can’t do it on our own” says Ranjit Radhakrishnan, Vice President - Strategic Business, Volvo Trucks India. “Instead we have to become an aggregator and partner with organizations to enable them engage in transplantation with our support.”

• The said endeavor has been appreciated by ministry of environment and climate change, Government of India. In fact, while addressing a press conference Honorable Cabinet Minister Gadkari said, “After four months from now, we will not cut trees for building roads. We will give an undertaking to the Environment Ministry. Instead we will use technology to transplant trees.”

• While we have embarked with the aim of saving the environment by transplanting trees, a serendipitous connect with the community is developed wherever we pursue the activity.

BIAL expansion leading the way to “Go Green”.To facilitate its expansion plans for the upcoming new terminal, airport operator, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) will be translocating 7,095 shrubs and trees which fall in its path over a period of three years. Of them, 1,285 trees and plants will be translocated in the first phase.

According to an official release, “To ensure high survival rates, BIAL has engaged the Institute of Wood Science & Technology and Volvo Trucks to provide scientific solutions.”

Tom Shimmin, Chief Projects Officer, said, “The objective is to avoid felling of trees and, instead, relocate them to a place where they can further improve aesthetics of the Airport. All this is to ensure that the landscape is in sync with our garden-themed Terminal 2. We will transplant trees wherever there is scope to do so.” He added that the airport will be the first in India and only the third in the world to have green corridors around the runway”.

Explaining the process, Prasanna Murti Desai, who is spearheading the landscaping project for BIAL said that the 4.6 km from the Trumpet to the terminal would look aesthetically appealing when the process is completed. “The process may take a day to a week or more depending on the species and the care required. The Volvo truck tree transplanter is capable of translocating around 17 large trees each day,” it added.


IWST guides in Pre-Transplantation assessment, during transplantation and post transplantation care for better survival of transplanted trees.

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“The service and parts support extended by the Kothagudem team is satisfactory. All concerns are being discussed and resolved from time to time. We would like to specially mention and appreciate the support extended by Mr. S Suri Babu, Volvo Technician who is taking care of our vehicles.”

P VENKATANAIDU, MEGHA ENGINEERING & INFRASTRUCTURES LTD.

SKILLED TECHNICIANS – A KEY TO GROWTH AND SUCCESS

delivering on our promise

DELIVERING ON OUR PROMISE

“When it comes to Volvo vehicle complaints and parts, it is good to find such high responsiveness and the effective manner in which preventive maintenance is undertaken by Mr. R Brahmaji.

We appreciate your sincere support and trust worthiness on the services, which we have obtained from you earlier also. We are happy to be associated with you and continue to work together in future”.

UPESH MAHALAXMI INFRACONTRACT PVT. LTD.

“We would like to thank Mr. B V Ram Prasad, Volvo Parts Technician for supporting us in our KPCL port operations. His efforts are appreciated in parts arrangement and timely planning to help operate vehicles efficiently without downtime of parts. He has been working on our site from the past 6 years and is supportive at site with our team members.”

YUGENDERKRISHNAPATANAM PORT CO. LTD.

“We are happy with the response by your site in charge and Hosakote team in case of parts support. All issues are discussed and resolved immediately. All concerns raised on Volvo Bus related parts were solved on time. A special mention of Mr. Nagabhushan – Parts Technician, Hosakote Team for timely support.”

BAPU U MAKKANNAVAR VRL LOGISTICS LTD.

What keeps customers awake at night? The answer largely depends on where in the world do they live and the kind of business they run. Read on, to know how some of our skilled technicians made a difference in the customers’ business.

“We are happy to acknowledge the services of Volvo technician Mr. V Siva Nagaraju, who always gets in touch with us on parts support, takes ownership of responsibilities of our fleet, even while on leave. In the last two quarters we have received utmost support on PM services and he shared his planning on aggregate repairs. In one particular instance of a clutch malfunction last December in vehicles he secured the required parts and took immediate action on the complaints. He goes on to follow up on AR and Credit Note details and revert with proper action on pending issues.”

RAMULSN MINERALS LTD.


“We are happy to inform you that the Drivers Training and Monitoring of our drivers at Khairagura site by Volvo’s Driver Trainer Mr. Sajad Ali is satisfactory as expected by us. Due to his close monitoring of drivers, we have noticed reduced vehicle breakdowns, increased brake liner life due to the auxiliary brake used by our drivers. Our drivers were trained to use the I-Roll features and the kmpl increased. Mr. Sajad Ali’s training skills are good both in theory and practice.”

SANJAY SURYAVANSHI DILIP BUILDCON LTD.

Mr. S Gangadhar, Plant Manager at Volvo Group Trucks plant, India spotted 2 FH pullers halted on the highway, a small distance away from factory, with a heavy load carrying ABB High Capacity Transformer from Baroda to Chennai. He was excited on seeing the 2 FH Pullers and decided to stop and meet the Drivers & Supervisor.

He found the FHs doing an excellent job and the Fleet operator M/s. Ramalingeshwara Transport was very satisfied with the product performance. Couple of minor issues were brought to his notice on Technical & Training certificates. Up on which he called Area Service Manager, Mahendran K S & Gnaneswara M from Renovation who immediately set right everything within a short time. The operator was delighted and thankful for support.

“We are happy with the Service and Parts support extended by the DBL Khairagura Team with the back-end support of the RGM team. Concern raised on Volvo Trucks related to parts was solved on time. We want to appreciate the support extended by Mr. Satish L - Technician, who is very good at solving technical issues.”

ASHOK KUMAR K DBL-DECO (JV)

“We are happy with the service and parts support extended by the Ramagundam Team. All concerns are being actively resolved from time to time. We would like to specifically mention the support extended by Mr. J Ashok Kumar, who is taking care of our vehicle.”

S P REDDY VISHWA SAMUDRA ENGINEERING PVT. LTD.

“We would like to appreciate the Nellore team services in terms of Parts and Service support. They take proactive measures to minimize the running and unwanted breakdowns.

We would like to thank V Kishore, the Volvo Supervisor who is available at all times to address our issues. With providing the best support on requirements, he is also developing our team at site”.

YALLANTI SURENDRA SRI VASAVI GRANITES

“We are happy with the response by your Nellore team in case of Parts and Service. Issues are discussed and resolved immediately. We appreciate the special efforts taken by Mr. Geddam Nookaraju who supports our team in attending the vehicles on time and ensuring they are on road immediately. They also takes care of the parts planning, service scheduling and providing good technical support.”

KRISHNA RAJ THRIVENI EARTHMOVERS PVT. LTD.

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Nobody can know exactly what the road ahead will bring, but Volvo Uptime Services help you put it in the rear view mirror. Whether you’re hauling off-road or on-road, moving cargo or people, having a true transport solutions partner with you can make all the difference. Volvo understands Uptime.

To know more visit www.volvotrucks.in or write to us at [email protected] Phone: +91 80 6788 7000, Fax: +91 80 6788 7124. Follow us on: /Volvo Trucks India

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