At BKT, we combine the best of modernization, technology, and automation and use supreme quality raw materials.
Rajiv Poddar Joint Managing Director, Balkrishna Industries How do you rate your company’s journey so far and what do you think are the major factors contributing to your success saga in the industry?
– Rajiv Poddar
Joint Managing Director, Balkrishna Industries
How do you rate your company’s journey so far and what do you think are the major factors contributing to your success saga in the industry?
Today, BKT, a homegrown organization, is a global player in the Off-highway tire segment that features a product range of over 3,200 high-performance specialist tires, which are exported to more than 160 countries worldwide. We attribute this success to the resilient business model, superior quality tires, and the best-talented teams.
What has been the shift in buying patterns from the end-user segment?
We have seen a remarkable shift in the resurgence of the construction, mining, and infrastructure industry. With the support of the Indian government, there has been a rise in demand for construction and infrastructure machinery.
The buying pattern of end-users in the construction equipment sector is shifted to premium tires for trouble-free services and reliability. Also, they are shifting to application-specific tires for a better economy, and we are capitalizing on these trends with our exquisite range of products while simultaneously working on creating better functioning and higher durability products.
Tell us about the technological trends in your range of products?
Being a global player in the Off-highway tire market, we are continuously focusing our efforts on upgrading our product range, doing so can help ensure better performance in various applications as well as improve comfort for equipment operators and minimize unplanned downtime.
Especially in the construction equipment market, we are the only Indian manufacturer that has rolled out a technologically advanced all-steel radial tire range that offers improved fuel economy, longer life, and least downtime.
What is your insight on your company’s road map for the next three years?
Today, the company commands around 5- 6% market share globally and we aspire to increase this to 10 percent over the next 4-5 years. To keep the growth to consistent, major investments are made in our core business – Tires, and in carbon black – a new segment we have ventured into.
BKT is one of the few companies with owned tire molds production facilities, in-house manufacturing of carbon black pigments – key raw materials used in the manufacturing of tires, which provide us with major autonomy and ensure enhanced quality control throughout the entire supply chain.
For the next three years, we are exploring ways to build and develop high-level endurance products that exhibit a strong focus on addressing the universal demand for superior quality tires. To do so, we have an expansion plan of investing over Rs.2500 cr.
What differentiates your company from other competitive players in the construction equipment space?
BKT is known for the widest range of products in the industry – i.e. 3200 SKUs globally with 1100 SKUs in India. Manufactured with state-of-the-art technology, BKT Tires are qualitative, tough, and durable; attributes that made us an instant hit in overseas quality-conscious markets.
We have championed the objective of ‘Right Tire for Right Application’, thus successfully focusing on specialist segments such as agricultural, construction, industrial and earthmoving, port, mining, ATV, and gardening applications.
In India, BKT is the only Indian manufacturer that offers All-Steel Radial Tires for the OTR sector and recently launched our 1stAgri Radial tire. In addition, we are the only Indian manufacturer of Agri Rubber Tracks.
At BKT, we combine the best of modernization, technology, and automation, and use supreme quality raw materials. The amalgamation of these things ensures that our customers enjoy the best products and with help of our R&D, we work towards the consistent quality of the products.
What products are being showcased/launched at Excon and what will be your focus of display?
BKT has been constantly developing newer products to meet the requirement of varied machine/equipment operating parameters, in line with OEM upgrading and innovations. Our deep understanding of the Off-Highway tire market has led to capabilities to manufacture over 3,200 SKUs. Every year, BKT adds 80 to 90 new SKUs to meet global demand thanks to extensive R&D, product design, and new product development activities.
This year at EXCON, we are highly focused on the growing demands of the mining sector and have plans to launch products that will be a game-changer for this sector.
What motivates you to participate in this Excon? And your expectations from Expo?
EXCON is a very powerful platform for construction machinery and equipment in South Asia.The Expo is a platform that encourages healthy competitiveness, growth, sustainability, and technology. We have been a part of EXCON for almost 10 years and are honored to be a part of it this year as well. This event complements the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative of the Government and will give an excellent platform to engage with prospective customers, and collaborate with industry experts.
This 11th edition of the EXCON is happening after the pandemic. One of our biggest motivations for participating this year is to meet our customers and dealers after the Covid gap.
Hits: 7
