Balkrishna Industries (BKT), enjoying its presence in variety of sectors, has come a long way since its inception by strengthening its R&D capabilities through innovation

 With more than 25 years of global presence in the off-highway tyres segment, Balkrishna Industries (BKT) has firmly established itself. Back in the early 1990s, BKT foresaw an opportunity in International business and initiated production in the ‘off the highway’ segment. BKT’s products, owing to their state-of-the-art make and performance, found immediate recognition in global markets.

Today BKT enjoys principal presence in five continents around the world, encapsulating a staggering 130 countries and over. It is the preferred supplier to International OEM’s in industrial, construction and agricultural tire segments, and has grown since its inception in 1988 into a diversified Industrial Conglomerate exporting its expansive range of ‘Off-Highway Solutions’ to the World.

Product range
With four state-of-the-art manufacturing plants spread across India, currently, BKT provides over 2,300 different SKUs (stock keeping units) for various kinds of applications. Today BKT is being preferred as supplier in countries like Europe and America, thus highlighting the quality and performance of BKT products. This is achieved by using quality raw materials that are processed through the advanced technology.

“Each product passes over 450 stages of tests. The result of this rigorous practice being that BKT products are known for their reliability and have the lowest claim ratio in the industry,” informs Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director, BKT.

Coming to the product range of BKT, it has products from 5” rim diameter to 54” rim diameter for vehicles ranging from trailers, forklifts, etc. to technologically advanced machines like high horsepower tractors, combines, harvesters, GPS controlled vehicles, articulated dump
trucks, high-speed cranes, sophisticated port vehicles and container handlers etc.

Excelling in tyres segment
After establishing itself as a one-stop shop for OTR solutions — be it for mining or industrial applications, BKT has now also initiated production of port tyres. The tyres available range from port reach stacker sizes to RTG sizes. BKT has been selling tyres
to major companies like Kalmar Sweden, which is one of the world’s leading reach stacker machine manufacturers.

BKT has also recently launched an ultra advanced range of tyres especially for high speed cranes. The tyre 445/95R/25 enables heavy high speed cranes to journey at an unprecedented speed of 80 km/hr.

It also offers a range of solutions for agricultural activities. BKT’s range of tractor tyres is specially designed to carry higher loads on and off roads with minimal soil compaction in field. Their superior make ensures great road ability, traction and durability.  

Identifying the opportunities in mining, BKT has ventured into full fledged production of mining and industrial solutions providing a range of tyre variants for various applications.

Research, Develop, Innovate, Succeed
Over the years, BKT has invested heavily into R&D of new products and advancements in their existing line and has got wonderful results as well. BKT has a modern dedicated R&D facility equipped with state-of-the-art technology which can develop various types of rubber
compounds required for manufacturing tyres for various applications. ‘Research, Develop, Innovate, Succeed’ has been the success mantra for BKT.

“We invest heavily every year into R&D, to upgrade our plant facilities and develop new products,” informs Arvind Poddar, Chairman and MD, BKT. “Our competition is with global tyre giants, so we always have to have an edge over technology if we have to compete with them.”

The company has its own mould plant which enables them to have the fastest turnaround time i.e. from a new concept to product availability in the market. Moreover, it has always focused to be proactive and in sync with ever-changing market needs. To respond the same, it develops about 150-160 new SKU’s every year. Having advanced testing labs, BKT is also associated with various testing facilities across Europe.

Energy saved is energy generated
“We have windmills set-up in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan for generating green power which fulfills almost 40 per cent of all our energy needs in the northern manufacturing units,” says Arvind Poddar.

Energy conservation is a top agenda at BKT. As mentioned, a sizable part of its energy requirement is fulfilled through non conventional and renewable energy sources, where BKT has invested heavily.

BKT aiming high
Indian tyre companies are no longer just manufacturing tyres for commercial vehicles but the market has expanded encapsulating high-end consumers with heavy OE needs for industrial, construction and mining purposes.

Furthermore, a rise in application requirement demands has been observed over the period. BKT is a vendor and collaborator with companies like Coal India Ltd. which is among the world’s largest OTR customer. BKT is working intensively to be at tandem with the emerging needs of its clients and doing well while keeping the costs low and efficiency high.

BKT’s Bhuj plant
The manufacturing plant at Bhuj, Gujarat is the fourth manufacturing unit set up by BKT in India. The project complex comprises of about 300 acres of land in the Gujarat region, just a few kilometres away from the Mundra port offering logistical advantages in transport of raw materials. The site foresees a large warehouse and a specific area of about 15 acres dedicated exclusively to R&D. The testing facility at the plant is equipped with indoor and outdoor testing areas and there is a special testing track constructed to provide for test runs and on field tests for the tyres.

Rajiv Poddar informs, “We have invested over $ 375 million in this plant. This is a huge plant spread across 300 acres and with the most modern machinery ever used in production in India. The plant will enhance our total capacity by 75 per cent.”

For BKT, the Bhuj plant means a tremendous 75 per cent increase in production which will add about 120,000 tonnes per year in addition to its 180,000 tonnes obtained from the other three plants.

Social help
Being a successful company in the field, BKT also has a deep rooted sense of responsibility and affection for the world and environment which then transcends encapsulating the company’s fundamentals and functioning.

It is involved in various social causes starting from ensuring safe health to its workers and their loved ones by opening a fully fledged hospital near their Aurangabad plant, to building a modern school in Rajasthan for underprivileged girls. Also there is its initiative towards the environment, which BKT is so passionate about that it has included the model of environmental friendly business as a core element of the company.