Neeraj Kanwar is new ATMA Chairman

Neeraj Kanwar, managing director of Apollo Tyres Ltd, has been elected chairman of the Indian the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA). Kanwar was unanimously elected as the next chairman at the association’s Annual General Meeting yesterday (14 January 2010) and is by far the youngest ATMA Chairperson so far since its inception in 1975.

In his new role Kanwar is expected to face two key challenges – falling exports out of India and alleged dumping of low-cost tyres (reportedly costing 30 per cent below Indian prices) into the country.

ATMA’s membership is made up of the eight largest Indian tyre manufacturers, who account for 90 per cent of the Indian tyre market. ATMA acts as a communication vehicle between the tyre manufacturers and the government on legislation and requisite policy changes, on both sides; often assisting in relevant policy formulation, especially on bi- and multi-trade agreements and WTO issues.

The association works through five committees which constitute the bulk of its activities namely: marketing, exports, purchase or raw materials, taxation and technical. ATMA reportedly also maintains an extensive database of the tyre industry.