BKT has been consistently ensuring that customer needs are addressed while maintaining product quality as part of its commitment to developing world class products.

One of the leading names in the business of the Off-Highway tire industry – Balkrishna Industries Limited (BKT) has been investing heavily in research and development of products aimed at specific markets. In a span of 30 years the company has now made deep inroads in agricultural, construction, and industrial, as well as earthmoving, port, mining, and OTR applications.

BKT at Excon 

BKT always showcases its product prowess in Excon, one of the biennial and largest construction equipment exhibitions in South Asia. Excon is also one of the largest platforms for domestic and global OEMs to exhibit their breakthrough technologies and services. Since this years’ exhibition will return after a COVID-induced hiatus, Excon is posed to perceive the technological and innovative prowess from companies across sectors similarly visitors will be exposed to novel products and solutions they hitherto did not know existed. To be held between 17th and 21st May 2022 at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru, India, BKT will primarily focus on the mining sector and might showcase its newly introduced MINEFORCE range of products, that are designed for the mining sector, along with its other products.  

Commenting on BKT’s focus on the mining segment, Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director, Balkrishna Industries Ltd. said, “Mining has been a vital sector and it will continue to emerge as an important sector in the future. Whether it is surface or underground mining segments, the mining sector is currently sluggish all over the world. Especially in India, Govt.’s decision to bring the private sector into the coal mining segment has given further rise to mining activities. Both coal and metal mining are expected to grow steadily, which will require customised mining tires and best-in-class services to support. We, at BKT, are all set to meet such requirements by constant up-gradation & innovation, supported by our world class R&D center at Bhuj, where every tire undergoes a comprehensive dynamic testing procedure.”

Talking about new introductions in the mining sector, Mr. Rajiv said, “Worldwide, there has been a paradigm shift to radial tires, however, India has been late in adopting these technologically advanced tires. Conversely, BKT has been championing the ‘All-Steel radial tire’. For example, the EARTHMAX tires are manufactured at the BKT plant in Bhuj, India. It is designed to equip rigid dump trucks operating in the most challenging conditions.”

The company is associated with leading OEMs to add ease to the customer’s experience which can be viewed and experienced at Excon. 

BKT’s commitment 

Constant innovation to address and meet the market demands has been BKTs strength. The company incessantly innovates novel solutions to ensure clients’ requirements are met without compromising on the quality of the products. Innovations have centered on tyre technology, tyre machinery, tyre manufacturing methods, and all allied areas which impact the quality and performance of the end product. The company not only has a robust manufacturing facility in Bhuj but also a dedicated research and development center where the product experts engage in the design and development of creative products. The dedication of the company towards developing world-class products has ensured BKTs footprint in different countries across the globe.

Moreover, looking at the growth figures, BKT, in the last two years, witnessed an average year-on-year growth of 20%. Additionally, more than `2500 crore worth of expansion was undertaken in the last two years. In terms of business expansion and numbers, BKT reached the expected earmark, including the field of tires, which is BKT’s core business, along with their other new business ventures. 

Commenting on meeting the industrial demands, Arvind Poddar, Chairman & Managing Director, Balkrishna Industries Ltd., was optimistic about meeting the same, further emphasised on a possibility to experience a shortage of tires, hinting at expanding their market share and expecting an exponential rise in the industrial demand.

Innovation & digitalisation at BKT

There has been a lot of focus and emphasis on infrastructure development. Along with that, the company is looking for ways to upgrade and enhance its existing infrastructure. A key reason being, is to maintain quality, which is highly critical and important for the company. BKT spent a significant amount of time, effort, and money to upgrade its existing infrastructure to meet the requirements of the global market.

In addition to developing and digitising manufacturing standards, the company has worked on digitising its older plants, timely expansion on required areas, and evaluating the required investments for the same.

BKT’s Tyre manufacturing facility at Bhuj

Last year, the company completed a ₹450 Cr capacity expansion to better incorporate connectivity into its operations, along with an emphasis on technological upgradation of current equipment and the installation of automated material handling systems. All in order to improve world-class offerings imbued with the highest quality, durability, and reliability, with a focus on seamless service. The new manufacturing facility is in Waluj, Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district, and has an annual capacity of approximately 30,000 MT of off-highway tyres, with a $500 million initial investment.

BKT currently manufactures a range of over 3,200 SKUs, that each offer something unique to the OTR tire market. They are the only Indian company to produce worldclass all-steel radial tires, some of the most advanced OTR offerings that are bound to transform the construction and mining world. Made with superior technology and quality tires from BKT are known as game changer for the earthmoving segment. The company has also launched a new product, the 57” EARTHMAX SR 468, which is the largest tire ever manufactured by BKT.

BKT is deeply rooted in India, with a wide network of dealers reaching across the country, despite being a global powerhouse that services over 160 countries. With a strong belief in the values of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,’ BKT is rapidly developing sophisticated solutions through co-engineering collaborations while understanding the deep-rooted needs of many industries. While the pandemic has resulted in significant operational adjustments, it has also cleared the way for a self guided path of technological integration and sound economic policies. BKT understands the far-reaching impact of MSMEs in the same, and it is continually integrating its belief in “Growing Together” as it swiftly expands to generate strong international linkages for Indian participants.