JK Tyre rolls out 10 millionth truck radial

JK Tyre and Industries on Monday said it has become the first Indian company to roll out one crore truck radial tyres from its Vikrant plant here, a feat it has achieved 10 years after producing its millionth tyre from the facility.

"With 12 manufacturing plants globally and an annual capacity of 3.5 million truck and bus radials per annum, JK Tyre is the undisputed leader in this vertical," Chairman Raghupati Singhania told the gathering at the event that witnessed a robot rolling out the 10 millionth tyre.

"Starting 1977, when we set up our first tyre plant in Rajasthan with an annual capacity of five lakh tyres, we have come a long way with nine plants in India and three in Mexico," he said.

"JK Tyre pioneered the radial technology in India in the entire range of four-wheeler radials, was the first company to introduce truck and bus radial tyres, in 1999, and is now the largest producer," he added.

Singhania also said that JK has recently entered into the 2-3 wheelers segment. "Today we manufacture complete range of tyres - from a 3 kilo scooter tyre to the 3.7 tonne ultra large OTR tyre," he said.

Addressing the gathering, Karnataka's Minister for Large and Medium Industries R.V. Deshpande elaborated on the history of the Mysuru Vikrant plant, which was a state-run tyre factory when it was declared sick in 1996. The state government then invited bids and awarded its management to JK Tyres.

"Privatising Vikrant was a major decision that has changed its destiny. JK Tyres have invested Rs 1,200 crore in Vikrant, which is one of the largest investments in Karnataka. It is providing employment to over 13,000 people," Deshpande said.

"This is a historic day for the industrialisation of Karnataka, which is among the topmost states in the country in attracting investments. India's future will be made in Karnataka," he said dedicating JK Tyres' 10 millionth tyre to the nation.

Deshpande said he is due to meet Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Friday to take up the issue of dumping of cheaper Chinese made tyres in India, which is affecting the competitiveness of local industry.