Indian off-road tire specialist BKT appears on track to reach its market share goal ahead of schedule. In a statement released Feb. 17, company vice-chairman and managing director Arvind Poddar announced that due to current growth, the tiremaker’s aim of becoming a global leader in off-highway tire solutions with a 10% market share should be reached in 2014 rather than 2015.
“Aligning ourselves with the revised target, for the year 2012 we have initiated an aggressive growth plan,” Poddar said. “Production is targeted to increase by 32%. This would be achieved by upgraded capacities in the existing three plants as well as partial contribution from the (new) Bhuj plant. We are targeting that in the second half of this year, the Bhuj plant would contribute around 20% of the total production for 2012.”
Commercial production at the Bhuj facility is expected to commence at least a quarter earlier than previously anticipated, Poddar added. When completely commissioned, the new factory will almost double BKT’s total capacity.
Last year, production at BKT rose by 20% in terms of output tonnage, Poddar noted. “This demonstrates our strong determination to fulfill the growing demand for our product from the world over. I am also pleased to inform you that continuing with the sales growth tread, we shall be closing this financial year (April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012) with growth of over 40% in value terms.” (Tyres & Accessories)
