India Volume 6

62 Enjoying the trust of customers – both consumers and channel partners, JK Tyre has always been ahead in the tyre market by anticipating customer needs. JK Tyre pioneered radial technology in India way back in 1977 and today, almost four decades later, is one of India’s leading tyre companies, manufacturing a range of tyres that cater to diverse business segments. With a growing presence in over 100 countries, JK Tyre continues to be one of the largest tyre exporters from India. JK Tyre has nine state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in India and three in Mexico with a combined capacity of 35 million tyres per annum. The company’s technological prowess is powered by the Hari Shankar Singhania Elastomer and Tyre Research Institute (HASETRI) located at the Raghupati Singhania Center of Excellence in Mysuru. With a network of over 35 Truck Wheels, close to 300 Steel Wheels and 4000 dealers spread across the length and breadth of the country, JK Tyre has established a formidable multi-tier distribution network matrix and is continuously adding value for the customer by Market The Indian automobile industry is the seventh largest in the world, and this reflects hugely on the tyre industry. With a mix of homegrown and international manufacturers, the tyre industry caters to all segments of the market. The commercial, passenger and two/three wheeler segments constitute the major markets that drive this industry forward in India. The tyre industry is operating in a dynamic market in an evolving economy where economic policy changes have a major impact. However riding on stabilised inflation and with huge government emphasis on road infrastructure development as well as Make in India, the outlook will remain positive with economic growth forecast in the range of 7% and the benefits of a unified market post GST. Achievements In 1977, the company started operations with a modest annual manufacturing capacity of 0.50 million tyres. Today, with a manufacturing capacity of 35 million tyres per annum, JK Tyre is a leader in the truck/bus radial segment and is a premium brand both in Indian and global markets. The visionary leadership placed its trust on its employees, who in turn built consumer interest in the young company with a pioneering spirit. JK Tyre was in fact the company that brought radial tyre technology to India in 1977 and capitalising on its vision, became leaders in this segment. JK Tyre became the first Indian tyre manufacturer to make radial tyres for an entire range of vehicles – truck/bus, LCV, passenger cars, MUV and tractors and is a preferred partner to leading automotive manufacturers of the country as well as State Transport Undertaking and Defence. In yet another first, JK Tyre has crossed a historic milestone of 10 million truck/bus radial tyres in India, a testament to the unwavering trust of consumers. being a 360-degree service provider, including the newly established JK Retread Centers. To its credit, JK Tyre also has strategic tie ups with oil marketing companies. The company’s visionary spirit led to the commissioning of India’s first R&D centre – Hari Shankar Singhania Elastomer & Tyre Research Institute (HASETRI). JK Tyre plants are state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, and are well recognised for its quality and process standards. JK Tyre has also moderated waste and scrap generation. All its plants have optimised efficiencies of power, steam and water consumption and are certified for following environmental standards as well as being energy efficient and currently addresses 21% of its energy requirements through alternative non conventional energy sources. The company’s passion for sports led it into the arena of motorsport. The company has played an integral role in promoting motorsport in India, raising among its ranks, names that are synonymous with the rise of spectator interest in Formula1 racing in the country. Narain Karthikeyan, Karun Chandok, Armaan Ebrahim and Arjun Maini are just a few names that owe their beginnings to the JK Tyre Motorsport Division. The company has invested over H 300 crore to build motorsport infrastructure in the country and runs India’s only motorsport academy. JK Tyre is also the sole manufacturer of truck racing tyres, Jet Racing, for the T1 Championship, the one-of-a-kind truck race held in India every year and is the only company to have successfully a national racing series, the JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship for twenty years. History The company is a part of one of India’s leading industrial houses with a rich heritage and laid the foundation of its first tyre plant in 1974 in Kankroli, SUPERBRANDS 2018 superbrandsindia.com