BKT Bringing New OTR, Forestry Ranges to Tyrexpo Asia

BKT is the flagship business of India’s Siyaram Poddar Group, an organisation with a turnover in excess of US$ 550 million. In the 2007/08 financial year BKT itself enjoyed sales of more than $250 million, and the company has set itself an impressive goal – “Our vision is to obtain global leadership in off highway tyre solutions,” Arvind Poddar – vice chairman and managing director, Siyaram Poddar Group, told Tyres & Accessories.

BKT specialises in the production of off-highway tyres, and can therefore offer consumers a line-up of agricultural, OTR, earthmover, industrial, ATV and lawn & garden tyres covering an astounding range of applications. The company’s product portfolio boasts more than 1,800 Stock Keeping Units (SKU) of tyres ranging from 8 to 51-inches. Therefore BKT can, without exaggeration, be considered to be a “One Stop Shop” for off-highway tyre solutions.

The India based company has experienced significant growth in Asian markets during the last few years, and a marketing plan is in place to accelerate this growth in 2009. Participation in Tyrexpo Asia 2009, says BKT, is an element of this plan, and the company believes the Singapore exhibition will help it increase brand awareness with consumers, develop a presence in previously untapped markets and strengthen relationships with existing customers.

Scheduled to be launched at Tyrexpo Asia is the company’s new range of steel radial OTR tyres. BKT notes with pride that this new product, which will carry the “Earthmax” sub-brand, is the first all steel OTR radial product manufactured by an Indian company. “Products will be released in various patterns and compounds for sizes from 25 to 35-inches, and will be supported by unmatched after sales service,” Mr. Poddar said.

BKT is also launching its forestry tyres range at Tyrexpo Asia, a line-up that will further aid the company’s expansion in Asian markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. These aramide, all steel belted products feature a specially developed cut resistant compound and initially are available in seven sizes for rim diameters between 18 and 30-inches. The company has also recently launched a 30.00-51 E4 cross-ply tyre, the largest size tyre offered by an Indian company for larger dumper applications.

Recently the company established a dedicated OTR team, members of which regularly travel to customers’ sites around the world and evaluate operating conditions. Visits like this help BKT in developing tyres and compounds that are specific to particular regions or conditions. As Mr. Poddar explains: “We do not sell only tyres. We sell a good quality tyre along with complete service backup – if any problem arises we take up the issue fast. We offer, in short, a full package and the widest range.” Through products and service such as this, BKT says it continues to challenge is own frontiers and reinforce its customers’ confidence in the brand.