Balkrishna Industries (BKT), the Indian manufacturer of off-highway tyres (OHT), returned to this year’s Automechanika Dubai to launch a series of giant OHTs for earthmover, port, mining, industrial, agricultural and construction applications.
“As speciality tyres are our core business and our bread and butter, we’re constantly trying to accommodate the need of every end user of OHTs,” explains joint MD Rajiv Poddar,
“With this product launch, we are filling small gaps in our range by expanding into giant OTR tyres up to a 35/65R33 size, and debuting the 27.00R49, which is under testing and should be commercially available by the end of 2015.
BKT will be manufacturing the 27.00R49 at a 121ha facility in Bhuj, Gujarat that commenced operations last year, and which represents an investment by Balkrishna of about $0.5bn for the company.
“Currently our capacity is about 160,000 tonnes per annum, and with Bhuj coming on stream we will be able to bring that capacity up to 280,000 tonnes per annum — nearly doubling the existing capacities. Its full production should be with us by 2017,” notes Poddar.
He adds: “What we see, particularly with the 27.00R49, is that there is a gap in the market for a quality product, but at a more reasonable value for money offering — and costed per hour, or costed per kilometre, we can deliver the lowest total cost of ownership.”
The full interview with Balkrishna Industries will feature in the July issue of PMV Middle East.
