The month of March saw BKT roll out a new communication campaign for its agricultural, industrial and OTR tyres. The Indian tyre maker says the new campaign – which is calls ‘WOW’ – represents the company’s corporate image for the near future.
During the SIMA show, Indian tyre maker BKT gave an update of the company’s recent performance. Highlights covered including the firm’s average annual growth rate – this remains at approximately 30 per cent. BKT also claims to currently hold five per cent of the global market share in the off-highway tyre sector in speciality segments such as agricultural machines and equipment, earthmovers, industrial vehicles, ATV and lawn & garden applications. The company says it aims to double this market share by the end of 2014; at this time it plans to achieve a turnover of US$1.36 million, and a turnover of $2 billion by 2020.
India’s Hindu Business Line reports that the first phase of Balkrishna Industries’ new Bhuj facility has been commissioned and production at the site has begun. First phase capacity is 25,000 tonnes, with approximately 60 per cent of total capacity dedicated to the manufacture of radials. When in full production it will have a capacity of 120,000 tonnes. The company will boast a total annual capacity of 270,000 tonnes when the project is ready in 2015.
BKT reports it has produced its first test batches of solid tyres at the company’s new Bhuj factory in India’s Gujarat state, and commercial production of tubes manufactured there has already commenced.
Indian off-road tyre specialist BKT appears on track to reach its market share goal ahead of schedule. In a statement released on 17 February, company vice-chairman and managing director Arvind Poddar announced that due to current growth the tyre maker’s aim of becoming a global leader in off-highway tyre solutions with a ten per cent market share should be reached in 2014 rather than 2015.
Jim Parker retired on 18 November 2011 after 37 years in the tyre industry. Parker initially joined Kleber in 1974 as a tyre fitter for its competition department. During his time at Kleber, he took on various job roles including being in charge of the day to day running of the competition department and attending most major rally and race meetings, assisting the tyre manufacturer to six consecutive years of winning the production saloon car and production sports car championships. According to the company, Jim Parker was instrumental in the development of the radial race tyre, which was used intensively on tarmac rally events.
Tradefaire International, who distributes the BKT range in Australia, wishes to thank all those who contributed to its fundraising for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The company exhibited the Indian manufactured range at the recent Agquip Agricultural Field Days, which were held in the New South Wales town of Gunnedah between August 16 and 19. During the show Tradefaire handed out footballs and rugby balls for a gold coin donated, with 100 per cent of the money received going to the Flying Doctors.
Alliance Tire Americas has launched the Primex LS Xtreme LS-2, a new radial forestry tyre, reports Tire Review. The new tyre features a variable-angle, tapered lug design for “exceptional performance in a wide array of terrain and soil conditions,” Alliance said. “It’s exceptionally stable on steep hillsides, delivering market-leading traction in virtually all soil conditions: sand, mud, clay and everything in between.”
BKT Tire (USA) has added a number of new sizes to some several US and Canada market product line-up. The tyre maker’s FL 639 flotation radial has a size 560/45R22.5 added to its roster. The on/off-road agricultural implement and trailer tyre was designed for high load capacities at low inflation pressures for minimum soil compaction, and its wide footprint is ideal for soft soil conditions, BKT said.
Indian off-road tyre specialist BKT reports progress on construction work at its new factory in Bhuj, Gurarat state is “perfectly in line with schedules.” Work began on the greenfield facility last December and the company anticipates its completion in the third quarter of 2012.
BKT Tire (USA) has added four new products to its agricultural range and a go-kart tyre in the USA and Canada, reports Tire Review. The two new tyres to the market are the BKT TF 9090, which was created for front axle fitment on tractors. It has three ribs for increased traction and stability on wet soil, according to the manufacturer, and is available in size 4.00-12. The SM 68 is a new go-kart line available in size 11×6.0-5.
GKN, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural and off highway wheels, has chosen Kirkby Tyres as its UK partner for the OE and replacement markets in the UK and Ireland. Kirkby thus takes responsibility for distributing the company’s line-up, which ranges from 12 to 26-inch fitments. GKN is well known as a supplier to major OEM’s including JCB and many other leading trailer and implement manufacturers worldwide.
Liverpool-based wholesaler Kirkby Tyres is promoting the latest additions to its Double Coin range of “non premium” truck tyres. According to the company, three new 19.5-inch low profile tyres in sizes 445/45R19.5, 435/50R19.5 and 385/55R19.5 were recently added to the range. To complement these, a selection of low profile 22.5-inch tyres have also been released in 295/60R22.5, 315/60R22.5 and 385/55R22.5. Double Coin products are already available in 17.5, 20, 22.5, 24 and 24.5 variants.
A BKT-equipped tractor and plough has won first prize in the 2009 World Ploughing Contest (WPC) reversible category. The 56th WPC, held in Moravske Toplice, Slovenia between 4 – 5 September saw Belgian Roel Cuyvers crowned as champion in the reversible category, driving a Massey Ferguson tractor fitted with BKT-Agrimax Tractor Radials. Third prize winners – Liam O’Driscoll from Ireland in the reversible and Hardy Andersen from Denmark in Conventional category, also ploughed on BKT Agrimax tyres tractors (fitted to Lamborghini & Massey Ferguson tractors respectively).
Kumho has returned to the Nigerian market following the naming of a new national distributor. Super Tyres and Motor Limited have been appointed to the role, reports Koh Bongyoon, Kumho’s international marketing manager, Africa operations. At a media briefing in Lagos, Super Tyres and Motor brand manager Aloke Sharma said the company aimed to position Kumho above competition in the premium segment.
According to Aloke, Super Tyres and Motors plans to hold at least 20 per cent market share for passenger car tyres within the first six months of Kumho tyre sales. The company is also the sole Nigerian distributor for GT Radial, Vikrant, DoubleCoin, BKT and Techking.
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