Specialist consultancy aids infrastructure projects in India

CCM India brings Australian advisory expertise to real estate and infrastructure projects in India. The company is growing quickly and has 4 offices and 70 employees across the country.

With experience in sustainable construction, CCM India helps companies in India build to international green economy standards.

‘Project sponsors can show global investors that infrastructure projects here are built using internationally recognised systems,’ says Peter Cox, Co-Director, CCM India. ‘This improves our clients’ ability to attract overseas capital for major development projects.’

Australia-based advisory services

Founded in Brisbane, CCM is a multinational consultancy that provides specialised services to the real estate and infrastructure sectors. These services include strategic advice, as well as advisory in construction costs and contract-management services.

‘We help with cost planning, tender documentation, tender evaluation and final accounts closure,’ says Cox. ‘What makes us different is that we look beyond static forecasting and simple reporting.’

Demand for green economy credibility

One area of particular focus is sustainable buildings. Investors want to ensure that the buildings and infrastructure they fund meet global standards for emissions and sustainability. This creates demand for companies with an international reputation.

‘The green economy sector is forecast to grow to more than A$2.4 trillion over the next 6 years,’ says Cox. ‘We are part of the green economy. Most of our clients want their real estate to comply with international best practice.

‘This means there is a huge opportunity for the services we provide. Our expertise in sustainable construction means our clients gain credibility in how they report sustainability data. This has become a source of competitive advantage in fast-developing economies like India.’

Understanding the local market

Cox and his co-directors have a long history of delivering consultancy services in India.

‘I worked with a company called Padghams in India more than 20 years ago,’ says Cox. ‘Then I was part of a consultancy called WT Partnership.’

India’s construction industry was booming in 2022. Cox and his colleagues decided the time was right to incorporate a new company and set up a permanent local presence.

‘Our directors have more than 20 years of market experience in the region,’ says Meenakshi Sundaram, who is also a co-director of CCM India. ‘We knew the opportunities coming up and the demand for green economy expertise. We could provide a new team and a fresh way of doing things.’

CCM India is helping the Indian infrastructure industry to incorporate sustainability standards into its projects.

Rapid expansion in India

CCM India has grown quickly. Today, the company has offices in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai. It employs more than 70 professionals, many of whom are qualified in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering.

‘There are multiple reasons why India is a good market to expand into,’ says Cox. ‘First, we can do business in English. Second, the business and legal frameworks here are very similar to Australia.

‘Third – and most important – there’s demand. India has a young population. We forecast the drift to the cities will continue for at least 3 decades. As people move, it means demand for new infrastructure and real estate.

‘In India, this includes demand for high-quality, sustainable construction.’

Improving expertise in India

CCM India is helping companies adapt to new construction standards.

‘If you think about sustainable infrastructure, the key ingredients are project planning, design, engineering, procurement and construction,’ says Cox. ‘Our role is to help de-risk these steps. We share lessons from overseas and help our clients be more productive.

‘Our core purpose is to give our clients confidence they can build efficiently to high standards. This in turn means that investors can have more confidence in major projects.’

CCM India has already helped one client achieve a global green building rating for a major hotel project in India.

‘Expertise in sustainability also matters to overseas multinationals,’ adds Cox. ‘Overseas investors want assurance that new builds conform to global standards for sustainable construction.’

Austrade opens doors

Austrade provided assistance at multiple points in Cox’s long history of engagements in India.

‘I went on my first trade mission back in 2000,’ he says. ‘Austrade put the program together, and it included designers, engineers and people like ourselves.

‘What’s most important today is Austrade’s ability to open doors. The Austrade Business Development Directors tell us if they meet people that are likely to be of interest. They have introduced us to clients in a specific sector.

‘We have a reciprocal relationship with Austrade,’ says Cox. ‘We are constantly on the watch for business opportunities for other Australian companies in the green economy real estate sector. We can pass around knowledge of their expertise. This means we can reinforce Austrade’s role and help grow Australia’s commercial presence in India.’