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In conversation with BKT's Joint Managing Director, Mr. Rajiv Poddar, who shared his perspectives and vision for the organization - as an internationally recognized - Indian multinational company, that can serve as an inspiration to future generations.

BKT has built a resilient business model, the secret to success is a well-defined strategic goal backed up by some organisational talent and a strong dedication shared by a brilliant team. BKT would not have been a global participant in the off-highway tire industry if any of these factors were missing. With this significant order in India, the Off-Highway Tire Manufacturing Group maintains its position as a prominent player, especially in the OTR business.

BKT's creative solutions are developed to handle the most demanding ranges of usage and include over 3200 SKU that are exported to more than 160 countries – making it one of the major players in the market. In India too, the company has 1100 SKU sold and is associated with all the leading OEMs.

The company has 6 production sites – spread across India –  in Aurangabad (2 plants), Bhiwadi, Chopanki, Bhuj, and Dombivali (mold plant); in addition to an in-house R&D center at Bhuj. Thus making BKT a complete ‘Made in India’ brand.

With over 35 years of experience, BKT, a globally recognised Indian multinational company, is the only tire manufacturer to offer all sizes of tires in the off-highway segment. The EARTHMAX SR 468 is a 57-inch tire, the largest ever built by BKT, designed to equip robust dump trucks operating in the worst conditions, manufactured at the Bhuj, India. This is a significant milestone for BKT in the mining industry, reinforcing the company's position as a prominent player in the OTR business.

What is Bhuj Plant's long-term vision?

BKT’s new state-of-the-art, highly automated plant in Bhuj intends to provide customers with the finest quality products, lowering their total cost of operations. This is exemplified by the company's extensive and process-oriented tire production process, which is complemented by a comprehensive dynamic testing procedure. The plant, which now has a manufacturing capacity of 450 metric tonnes per month, is expected to increase to 600 metric tonnes in six months, producing steel radial off-highway tires with a diameter of 6 to 49 inches.

"We knew that in order to achieve this ambitious aim, we'd have to prepare strategically across the board. We realised that in order to support the new ambitious vision, we needed to make some dramatic adjustments in our manufacturing set-up, thanks to the synergy of corporate operations. This had to be done quickly if new sales potential in worldwide markets was to be taken advantage of. After a thorough examination of many aspects, it was discovered that the production units at Aurangabad, Chopanki, and Bhiwadi were already operating at full capacity. We decided to build a new factory after considering all of the factors. We started working on the macro needs of a new project after that. Finally, after years of hard work, our aspirations have come true with the establishment of the Bhuj facility with a $500 million initial investment." says Mr. Rajiv Poddar.

“We have made it obvious throughout the years that we are a serious player on the global (off-highway tires) chessboard, adjusting to trends and evolution," he says. “Before making our decisions, we carefully surveyed the market and observed our competitors, tweak the game's strategies by opening up new frontiers for the challenges ahead. Bhuj is a symbol of the revolutionary change that has taken place within our organisation.”

Mr. Rajiv Poddar states in his closing remarks, "A popular saying goes," "When a man dreams alone, the dream remains a dream." However, if a large number of people dream the same thing at the same time, the dream becomes a reality. Bhuj is the fulfilment of a dream. "

The contribution of BKT to the mining industry and other industries

The EARTHMAX tires from BKT are built to withstand the harshest conditions. It is a broad range of radial solutions for dump trucks, wheel loaders, dozers, and graders that are designed to provide the best possible ground load distribution. The all-steel construction of all EARTHMAX tires provides resistance to the casing and, as a result, to impacts. These are critical qualities when confronted with specific impediments on the ground that could cause a puncture or cause damage to the tire.

In the construction segment, BKT’s XL Grip Ultra tire is a big hit and rules the market. The company is also planning to increase the range in this category to meet market demand.

Solid tire is another segment BKT is focusing on and plans to expand its range to 24 to 25 inches to cater to the forklift and compactor OEMs.

Recently, BKT rolled out the first radial agricultural tire at its new expanded Bhuj plant.

Future out-look

BKT’s turnover is all set to cross a billion dollars this year with India contributing to 20% and exports of 80%.

BKT is the only tire company in India with its own carbon black manufacturing facility. This plant makes a difference and will undoubtedly benefit us. This 75-million-dollar investment offers critical raw materials inside the tire manufacturing supply chain, says Mr. Rajiv Poddar. He further adds, "It's part of our strategy to manufacture raw materials in-house. The new plant not only gives us manufacturing independence, but it also ensures that our raw materials are of higher quality because we now have exact upstream control over the entire process.”

Mr. Arvind Poddar, further explains, “We are seriously considering further expansion to avoid shortage of tires as the demand from the Indian and global market has been increasing as never before.”

Partnership @ BKT

Mr. Rajiv also announced that BKT is the official tyre partner of eight IPL teams namely, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the newly-announced teams – Gujarat Titans for the latest season.

Speaking on the tie-up, Mr. Rajiv said “We are thrilled to see the enthusiasm and euphoria around the league reach new heights with the creation of two additional teams to the country’s biggest and the world’s most popular cricketing tournament. We at BKT are sincerely devoted to sustaining the virtues exemplified by the ‘gentleman’s game.’ This is a league that unifies the entire country and has a large number of fans following that transcends boundaries and truly exemplifies the country’s rich diversity.”

Also, Rajiv announced that the company has roped in Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh as the brand ambassador. Speaking on the partnership, he added, “Both BKT and Ranveer Singh bring in innovativeness in approach and we are excited at building this partnership on the edifice of these qualities.”

BKT @ EXCON:

This year BKT has taken up a huge stall at a premium position indoor and also is one of the sponsors as EXCON happens to be the largest exhibition on construction & mining equipment and is a perfect place to showcase its capabilities.

BKT is undoubtedly a global player in the Off-Highway tire industry, headquarters in Mumbai, India, and led by one man: Arvind Poddar, the Chairman and Managing Director of BKT.

Together with his father, Late Mr. Mahabirprasad Poddar, he expanded the 'Made in India' brand to international markets. The challenge officially started for him in 1995 when he understood that there was a strategic niche in the tire market that could guarantee growth and success: the Off-Highway tire segment. His long-term and clear strategic view really made the difference and made it possible for BKT to be present in more than 160 countries all over the world, as one of the major players in the market.

His biggest secret as a leader is that he considers the BKT team an extension of his family, where values like passion, loyalty, trust, and determination are at the core of the business philosophy. His greatest passions can indeed be summed up in two words: family and company.

Mr. Arvind Poddar was conferred with the Best Transformational Leader Award at the 6th Asia Business Responsibility Summit in 2019 for his ability to meet business growth targets, also encourage and enhance corporate social responsibility practices.

In 2018, he was also honored with the Tire Industry Associations' (TIA's) Hall of Fame Award, the highest honor and one of the most prestigious accolades of the tire industry at a global level.

After his grandfather and his father, Mr. Rajiv Poddar represents the third generation of the Poddar family in the business.

In 2005 he graduated from Kingston University, London, in Business Administration and joined BKT. Before becoming a member of the Management Team in 2013, Rajiv was Executive Director and worked in various group's production facilities, acquiring notions on tire manufacturing processes and systems. He also worked in various other departments gaining valuable insights about operations and offering him hands-on experience

As he started to work at a very young age, he was able to learn all the tricks of the trade, by taking inspiration from his father and grandfather.

He's the man behind many BKT's branding initiatives which are spread across the world. His passion for sports changed the story of BKT by making it one of the strongest sports supporters all over the world, from cricket to football, to the amazing acrobatics of Monster Jam.

Being fascinated by the strategy behind every sport, inspired him to combine business with sport, elaborating the right strategy for each branding initiative. This allows the company to speak a universal language of sports and thus connecting with fans, clients globally. It's not only business, but he firmly believes that sports can be used to promote positive values in society.

Mr. Dilip Vaidya heads innovation and research processes at BKT. His main activities consist of the development of new products, technologies, and processes and ensuring continuity and conformity in the quality of tires. He also works towards the constant improvement of BKT products and offers technical services to end-users.

He graduated in science at Bombay University in the year 1972 and pursued B. Tech in Polymer Technology from the University's Department of Chemical Technology, which he completed in the year 1975.

He joined the tire industry in 1976 and in 1993 he started his career in BKT as Dy. G.M. Technical, responsible for all quality and technical control activities. Initially, he began working on the development of specific products such as tires for mobile cranes, forklifts, skid-steers, and industrial tires. However, since 1996 he dedicated himself to the design of agricultural tires for the European market. In 2004 he designed the popular and BKT's bestseller AGRIMAX radial tire and in 2009 the first OTR All-Steel tire.

He is a firm believer that research is the essential tool at the basis of innovation, thus leading the responsibility for the training and growth of technical teams within various plants, as well as the creation of R&D laboratories for the development of new compounds and complete test procedures.

Besides being a brilliant engineer, he is also an artist. For him, painting is an antidote to stress. Painting landscapes is his biggest passion, and he believes that science and art are not contradictory, they both rely on creativity - a key to innovation.