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L&T Bets Big on Automation to Reshape Building
10 Jun
Summary
- L&T deploys robots for welding, painting, and plastering tasks.
- Company sees automation as key to overcoming labor shortages.
- Middle East operations boosted L&T's large-scale project capabilities.
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is spearheading a transformation in the construction industry through extensive automation and robotics. The company views technology-enabled systems as 'digital workers,' deploying them for tasks like welding, painting, and plastering. This strategic shift aims to decrease dependence on manual labor, a growing challenge as workers seek more appealing employment conditions.
L&T's chief financial officer, R Shankar Raman, noted that the company's order book has surged to approximately ₹7.5 lakh crore, necessitating scalable solutions beyond workforce expansion. Automation addresses execution challenges and supports the use of prefabricated and modular structures, essentially bringing factory-like efficiency to construction sites. This initiative is driven by Raman's personal desire for L&T to lead the industry's rapid and deep transformation.
The company also highlights the significant role of its international experience, particularly in the Middle East, in developing capabilities for large-scale projects. Operations in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE have equipped L&T with the confidence and processes needed to handle multi-billion dollar contracts and work alongside global engineering majors, further enhancing its execution capabilities.
