BKT Outlines Key Factors in “Success”

India’s Balkrishna Tyre (BKT) is setting some ambitious targets for its continued growth. In 2009 BKT held a 3 per cent market share in the off-highway tyres segment (comprising Agricultural, Industrial, Construction, Earth Moving Equipment, ATV and Lawn & Garden), with an expected share for the end of 2010 reaching 4.5 per cent, according to BKT. By 2015, the company hopes to reach a 10 per cent share. BKT has grown its turnover from $82 million in 2004, to $220 million in 2007 and $310 million at the end of 2009. The production value for the end of 2010 is estimated to be $450 million.

The continuous growth of global market share suggests well-chosen strategies; the company explains it made major investments in technologies to produce “competitive and environmentally friendly products”. BKT says it has ensured the compliance of its products with international standards, certification requirements as well as Corporate Social Responsibility; an important factor in the company’s continuing global growth, since 95 per cent of BKT tyres are actually marketed outside the production country. The company’s three Indian production sites of Waluj, Bhiwadi and Chopanki are all ISO:9001 certified (International Quality Management Systems), meeting the highest standards of efficiency and being subject to severe controls, while its Waluj and Bhiwadi sites have been ISO:14001 certified (International Environment Management System); Chopanki is due to follow soon.

As a result of investments in plants and resources allocated for research on the use of low PCA Process oils, BKT says it also ranks among a small number of manufacturers worldwide who can claim to operate in full compliance with the restrictions of the international standard REACH. Low PCA Process oils are now used at 100 per cent with positive effects on tyres’ performance, which are rigorously tested before being put onto the Market. BKT also explains its commitment to ecological friendliness with the installation of four windmills in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. They have a capacity of 1.25MW each, meaning each site is “40 per cent autonomous”. In recognition of this achievement, BKT has been awarded the National Energy Conservation Award in the rubber and chemical sector for the second time – a prestigious national certificate in the field of energy conservation with respect to natural resources.

RH Claydon: BKT Range “Vast”

John Parker, Group Business Development & Purchasing manager for RH Claydon, one of the UK’s wholesalers for the BKT agricultural range, said: “The Off-Highway market is thoroughly catered for by the key brand BKT, to which R.H. Claydon Ltd is the long established Authorised Distributor for the UK. BKT has a size, pattern, fitment and profile portfolio second to none within this important market segment and due to this, has become the brand that epitomises the expression ‘High Quality at Value for Money Prices’.

“This vast range covers Agricultural, Trailer, Plant & Construction, Industrial, Small & large Implement, Forestry, Turf Maintenance, ATV, Port, Earthmover and more in various Radial and X/Ply manufacture. BKT don’t plan to sit on their laurels, as they also have an investment, strategy and implementation programme in place for many new sizes, profiles and applications over the coming months and years ahead, especially in Radial. This will enable the BKT brand to offer a total Off-Highway solution package to the discerning Distributor / Service Provider and End User alike. The phrase tyres for ‘All Season and All Reason’ is well suited to this superb brand and range portfolio for the Off-Highway market place.”