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Company ready to change the game
with new production plant
G
enerally known as BKT, the Mumbai-based Balkrishna
Industries Ltd is one of the world’s top off-highway tyre
solution providers. Their new Bhuj plant was inaugurated
at the beginning of December 2015 in the presence of nu-
merous guests from all over the world.
Specific events took place involving customers, distributors, part-
ners and journalists. During the opening ceremonies guests had
the opportunity to have a glance of the production units equipped
with modern compound mixers, complex equipment for the pro-
duction of steel rings and new vulcanising presses even for large
tyre sizes.
Alluding to the game of chess, Mr Arvind Poddar (chairman and
managing director: BKT) illustrated BKT’s philosophy in his inaugu-
ration speech as follows: ‘There is a unique trait that distinguishes
a true champion from a mere player: The versatility to adapt his/her
strategy to the challenges presented by each game. One move af-
ter the other, BKT has created and reached its objectives. Thanks to
the new Bhuj production plant, the company is now ready to change
the game acting as the “game changer” on the global chessboard.’
More about the tyres
The tyres currently produced in Bhuj are 22 sizes of the Maglift
solid tyre and various measures of Liftmax LM 81 tyre, both for fork-
lifts, in addition to Portmax PM 93 in size 280/75 R 22.5 for straddle
carriers, and the giant Earthmax SR 45 Plus tyre for dumpers.
Many Indian producers have already applied to use the BKT track
for their tests. Close to this facility, the new R&D Centre is being
built for research on new polymers and tread compounds.
Like all BKT plants, Bhuj has obtained the ISO 9001: 2000 Quality
Certificate. As far as production parameters, quality control and
environmental regulatory requirements are concerned, BKT adheres
to the strictest international standards.
BKT sells its product in more than 130 countries worldwide through
a network of partner distributors. In South Africa Tubestone is the
distributor of BKT tyres.
Their five state-of-the-art production sites in Aurangabad, Bhiwadi,
Chopanki, Dombivali and Bhuj employ more than 7 000 people.
More in our next issue on the new plant in Bhuj – Ed.
1: The management team of BKT: Dilip Vaidya (president and director:
Technology, BKT), Rajiv Poddar (joint managing director: BKT) and
Arvind Poddar.
2: The BKT Bhuj plant was inaugurated at the beginning of
December 2015. At the ceremony were, Rajiv Poddar and his wife,
Khushboo, and Arvind Poddar.
3: 126 ha of barren desert with a handful of withered and windswept
shrubs. No water, no electricity. This is what the area looked like where
BKT, in a few years, created a real showpiece out of nothing thanks
to a US $500 million investment: A self-contained state-of-the-art
production plant in respect of industrial equipment, infrastructure and
facilities for employees. The site is located in Bhuj in the State of
Gujarat about 100 km from the Pakistani border and 60 km from the
Port of Mundra on the Arabian Sea.
4: The entrance to the Bhuj plant. Journalists had the chance to visit
the new Bhuj plant during their visit to India.
5: A special conference was held where journalists received more
information on BKT and the Bhuj plant.
6: More or less 120 journalists from all over the world were invited by
the company to attend the inauguration of the plant at Bhuj and
a conference the day thereafter.
57
February 2016
RELEVANT
ESTIE DE VILLIERS,
editor:
SA Graan/Grain
and
LAURA PEDRALI,
European Press Office: BKT
PART 1
1
4
5
6
2
3