Powerscreen® has recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the appointment of UMPESL - Voltas (A Tata Enterprise) as its first official distributor in India.
The appointment in 2000 came at a pivotal time for the Indian mining and construction industry, when the need for track mobile crushing and screening plants was becoming increasingly evident.
“Most clients relied on stationary setups, which required two to three months for erection and commissioning,” said Mr. Jaideep Shekhar, Vice President & Managing Director, Terex Materials Processing. “The frequent shifting of these large, fixed installations presented significant logistical and operational challenges, often delaying project timelines and escalating costs.
“Voltas recognised this need early on, and introduced Powerscreen track mobile plants to India, a strategic move that transformed the way infrastructure and mining projects were executed throughout the country. The quick deployment, ease of mobility, and minimal setup time of this equipment drastically reduced project execution timelines, leading to cost savings and improved overall efficiency for the customer.
“I would like to congratulate Voltas on their 25-year journey with Powerscreen and commend them for their vision and forward-thinking. Together, we have transformed the crushing and screening industry in India, and I look forward to our continued innovation and shared success.”
Voltas successfully sold its first track-mounted Powerscreen unit to a key aggregate customer engaged in major national and state highway construction projects in and around Bangalore, India. This marked the beginning of several milestone deployments across India, with installations at high-impact infrastructure sites. The consistent performance of Powerscreen equipment helped strengthen the Voltas footprint in the aggregates sector, especially among customers focused on large-scale road-building and civil works.
“Powerscreen equipment is designed to handle a wide range of applications—from aggregates and iron ore to municipal solid waste and riverbed materials,” explained Mr.Chandrasekhar Venkataraman, Director, Commercial-Aggregates, Terex India. “This versatility is evident in the case of Voltas, who have used our equipment to serve diverse customer needs, expand into new sectors, and adapt as market demands evolve, supporting their long-term business growth.”
One sector that has seen significant growth over the 25 years is in iron ore, which led to an unprecedented rise in demand for track-mounted mobile crushing and screening plants across India. This was followed by entry into limestone, coal, bauxite, municipal solid waste, and riverbed material applications. Other major achievements include working alongside M/s Rungta Mines, who holds the distinction of being the largest Powerscreen
fleet owner in India, with 156 units deployed across its operations.
Initially importing machines from the Powerscreen manufacturing location in Northern Ireland, the shift to local manufacturing in 2010 to the Terex Hosur facility has also been pivotal in the growth of Voltas and Powerscreen in India, with faster delivery, better cost-efficiency, and enhanced support tailored to the Indian market. From the first locally built Chieftain 1700 to the 1000th Warrior machine produced last year; the plant has become a hub of engineering excellence and global exports. The collaboration between the Northern Ireland, birthplace of Powerscreen, and Hosur teams has guided the build quality and innovation tailored to Indian and global markets.
From resolving early technical issues to enhancing aftermarket services through digital platforms and training programmes, the support offered by Voltas and Powerscreen has consistently delivered value to customers in India.
N K Palai, General Manager & Head, Quarry & Crusher at Larsen &Toubro (L&T) said, “My experience with Voltas and Powerscreen has consistently been excellent. The leadership teams are highly responsive and supportive, often going above and beyond to address critical business needs when they arise.”
In more recent years, support has been further enhanced through operator training initiatives to educate users on safe and efficient machine operation, while digital platforms such as the Dealer Portal and Help Desk have enabled customers to get the most from their equipment and operations.
Mr. Pradeep Bakshi, MD and CEO of Voltas Limited, added, “Voltas is proud to mark 25 years of successful partnership with Powerscreen. Over this time, we’ve seen strong mutual growth, driven by a shared commitment to quality, innovation, and execution. Together, we’ve played a key role in advancing the crushing and screening industry in India. We value our long-standing collaboration and look forward to building on our success in the years ahead.”
