BKT: Indian heart, global presence

BKT enjoys a strong presence in the off-highway tyres segment across 130 countries
With over 25 years of global leading presence in the “off-highway tyres” segment, Balkrishna Industries (BKT) is a name to be reckoned with. Quality conscious users, who adhere to stringent conformity standards in countries like Europe and America, prefer BKT as their supplier.
This is achieved by using the foremost quality of raw materials that are processed through the most advanced and developed technology creating a BKT product. “Each product passes over 450 stages of tests,” says Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director, BKT. “The result of this rigorous practice is that BKT products are known for their reliability and have the lowest claim ratio in the industry.”
BKT provides over 2,300 different SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) for various kinds of applications. The company has products from 5-inch diameter to 54-inch rim diameter for vehicles ranging from trailers and forklifts to technologically advanced machines like high horsepower tractors, combines, harvesters, GPS controlled vehicles, articulated dump trucks, high-speed cranes, sophisticated port vehicles and container handlers.
New solutions for the new worldBKT has ventured into the production of all steel radials since the year 2008 and become the first tyre company in India to produce the all-steel radial OTR tyres. BKT is at the forefront when it comes to new product development. The company caters to an expansive range for clients all over the world, thus has to be very proactive and in sync with their growing and changing needs.
Dilip Vaidya, Director and President – Technology, BKT, says, “In addition to BKT’s state-of-the-art factories, we also possess an in-house mould design and a production plant which enables us to achieve production flexibility and frequent changeover in production cycles as per demand.”
This enables BKT to attend to very specific demands of its exclusive customers, by creating products exclusively made to encounter their specific needs.
Industrial construction equipmentBKT is one of the leaders in this segment having widest range. Each product has been developed to meet the stringent service requirement in the field. BKT’s product basket includes backhoe loader, compactor, paver, skidsteer and tippers. India will see a huge growth in infrastructure development and BKT is preparing itself for driving the future growth.
Bhuj Plant: green field projectThe manufacturing plant in Bhuj is the fourth manufacturing unit set up by BKT in India. The site foresees a large warehouse and a specific area of about 15 acres dedicated exclusively to research and development. The testing facility at the plant is equipped with indoor and outdoor testing areas for the products, and there is a special testing track constructed to provide for test runs and on field tests for the tyres.
Introducing the plant Mr Rajiv says, “We have invested over a half billion in this plant. This is a huge plant spread across 300 acres with the most modern machinery ever used in production in India. The plant will enhance our total capacity by 75 per cent.”
This is a green field project and will focus on developing a wide range of BKT’s radial and bias tyres.
Mr Rajiv adds, “We plan to modify the Bhuj plant and extend its production capacity to the level of 280,000 tonnes.”_______________________________________________We plan to modify the Bhuj plant and extend its production capacity to the level of 280,000 tonnes.
Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director,BKT

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