The Sri Lankan construction market is competitive, so contractors need to find efficiencies that help them keep their prices in line and their businesses growing.

When those contractors get on the jobsite, they need to be ready to work – no matter what comes their way.

NEM Construction, based in Colombo, recently completed compaction work on an extension of the southern expressway from Matara to Beliatta. The project was on a tight time frame – that quickly became tighter.

“A challenging construction schedule was prepared to meet the target deadlines, and on top of that, we had to contend with severe weather conditions during construction,” said Mr. Raja Nanayakkara, chairman of NEM.

The new road, completed in November, is 30 km long and 25 metres wide. It connects key urban hubs and provides access to the international airport in Colombo.

Handling asphalt compaction were four Ammann AP 240 Pneumatic Tyred Rollers. The machines completed both intermediate and finish compaction. Ballast was adjusted to provide the proper weight during the two stages of compaction.

Ammann’s convenient air-on-the-run system also enabled tyre pressure to be adjusted from the cab. “It’s an option we like,” said Mr. Nanayakkara.

NEM’s fleet is more efficient with the inclusion of the AP 240 rollers. “It’s a heavy-duty machine that’s easy to operate,” he said. “It minimises the operating time through the power steering and automatic transmission. The braking system is efficient, and visibility is good. The driving positions can be switched easily.”

Exceptional ground access makes maintenance points easy to reach, minimising labor and reducing the likelihood of fluid spills.

Ultimately, all the efficiencies provided by the rollers helped NEM meet the job’s deadline, furthering its reputation as a superior contracting business.

“Competition among contractors to secure the limited number of projects available in the market is one of the biggest challenges we face,” Mr. Nanayakkara said. “We separate ourselves from the competition by completing projects in a timely fashion, using eco-friendly methods and delivering the best quality that meets the employer’s requirements.”