J. K. Tyre – 25 Years Of Leadership

India’s largest four wheeler tyre manufacturer celebrates its silver jubilee. J. K.

Tyre is a division of J. K. Industries, which is itself a flagship company of the J.

K. organisation; one of the largest industrial groups in India. As well as tyres, the group’s manufacturing activities include paper, cement, textiles, hybrid seeds, cosmetics, power transmission – the list is as varied as it is extensive.

J. K. Tyre was established in 1977 and has established itself as India’s number one manufacturer of tyres for four wheel vehicles under the JK Tyre and Vikrant brands.

In this sector, J. K. Tyre claims a domestic market share of 20.

8%. In the truck and bus tyre market, which accounts for around 80% of the Indian tyre market by value, J. K.

Tyre claims a market-leading 25.8% share.In 1997, J.

K. Industries took a major strategic decision to acquire Vikrant Tyres Ltd., an ailing tyre manufacturer.

With the input of J. K. Tyre’s expertise, systems, marketing and work practices, Vikrant achieved a remarkable turnaround, returning to profit after only ten months.

Today, J. K. Tyre has four Indian production facilities, with a capacity of 5.

5 million tyres. This growth is set to continue, with production over the next two or three years rising to some eight million tyres. The company also boasts India’s first, and only, all-steel truck and bus radial plant.

Being a pioneer of radial technology involved J. K. Tyres in a great deal of hard work and effort to spread the word about the benefits of radials, but this has been rewarded as the J.

K. Tyre brand is strongly associated with radial tyres. The company’s marketing strategy was focused on offering high performance radials with service being the brand differentiator.

One aspect of this was the establishment of a chain of retail outlets, offering a one-stop sales and service centre. Going under the name “Steel Wheels”, there are more than 100 such outlets in India and J. K.

Tyre claims that they have revolutionised tyre retailing in India – offering services such as wheel balancing and alignment and advice on tyre care by well-trained technical staff. Another marketing initiative is the “Dial-a-Tyre” service, which allows customers to have tyres delivered and fitted in the comfort of their own homes. This is the latest in a line of innovations, which includes India’s first T-rated tyre, the first H-rated tyre and the country’s first Dual Contact tyre, the “Aquasonic”.

The company manufactures a range of tyres to suit all four-wheel applications, from cars to trucks and buses, agricultural vehicles and tractors, plus there is also a range of tyres for animal-drawn vehicles. Both radial and bias ply tyres are produced..