JCB India, a manufacturer of construction equipment, anticipates an 8–9% growth in FY26, supported by consistent demand from the infrastructure and real estate sectors, as stated by Deepak Shetty, the company’s CEO and managing director. In FY25, the company achieved an 11% growth, surpassing the industry’s growth rate of three percent, which remained cautious due to financing challenges and geopolitical issues.
The company allocated ₹500 crore in FY25 and has set aside an additional ₹200–250 crore for this year, primarily focusing on tooling, research and development, and digital innovation.
In an exclusive interview with Ankit Sharma, Shetty mentioned that the company’s growth is driven by a broadening range of applications in both urban and rural markets. “Approximately 65% of our equipment is supplied to rural regions, yet urban demand—particularly from the real estate sector—is increasingly propelling sales of specialized machinery such as telehandlers and slab-lifting equipment,” he remarked.
The company is witnessing a rise in mechanisation within mid-sized real estate projects, such as villas and vertical housing. “Currently, every foundation necessitates precision equipment. The time of shovels and manual labour is a thing of the past,” Shetty remarked, further noting that machines are now anticipated to perform various tasks, ranging from site clearance to material handling, as contractors strive to enhance both cost efficiency and time management.
JCB is intensifying its focus on operator training to tackle an expanding skills gap. Its proprietary simulator, JCB Daksh, which is available for just ₹7 lakh, aims to reduce training duration and fuel usage. “Previously, we required two months and nearly ₹50,000 to train an operator. Now, 90% of the training occurs on the simulator. Even the Indian Army has placed an order,” Shetty stated. While the company’s current manufacturing capacity is 75,000 machines annually—with an 85% utilisation rate—JCB is persistently investing in the expansion of its facilities.
It intends to increase the workforce at its Pune-based global engineering centre from 700 to 1,000 engineers. Presently, the company exports 20% of its output to more than 130 countries. Regarding pricing, JCB has limited its increase to a mere 1% in FY25, despite the introduction of Stage V norms. “We concentrated on innovation, fuel efficiency, and cost optimisation. Our latest machines provide 14.5% improved fuel economy and 5% enhanced productivity, which ultimately aids customers in lowering their total cost of ownership,” Shetty concluded.
