Tyres are integral to any OTR equipment design
How do you work with end users and equipment manufacturers to develop OTR tyres that can increase productivity and efficiency?
OEMs and end-use customers have a variety of requirements that they expect their tyres to meet. They must be able to travel over a wide range of terrain and withstand use in harsh operating environments, among other things. Hence BKT continually focuses its efforts on improving rubber compounds and tread patterns. By doing so, we ensure better performance in various applications, improve comfort for equipment operators and minimize unplanned downtime. More importantly, we have dedicated teams of field engineers, who actively collect customer feedback and work with the R&D team on ensuring better quality products and addressing any issues.
Tyres are integral to any OTR equipment design as they ensure mobility and productivity. The wrong selection can greatly impede an end-use customers ability to get their work done. Hence we collaborate with OEMs - both local and global, OEMs in order to design and manufacture high-quality tyres that cater to various regions, areas, terrains, and applications while increasing the life and experience of the tyre.
How does BKT ensure that it maintains a competitive edge in the market?
Quality product is one of BKTs key competencies and it is something towards which we have dedicated our resources for many years, and permeates every process and detail. For example, having in-house manufacturing of carbon black “ a key raw material used in the manufacturing of tyres provides us with major autonomy and ensures enhanced quality control throughout the entire supply chain. Additionally, our in-house mould design and production unit facilities are instrumental, enabling us to have production flexibility in the production cycle, resulting in a faster concept-to-market product rollout.
Moreover, due to a robust R&D wing wherein we have stringent quality control mechanisms in place, which facilitates a qualitative offering at a constant pace. Each of our products passes over 500 stages of tests. The result of this rigorous practice is that BKT products are known for their reliability and have the lowest claim ratio in the industry.
What is your company's approach to sustainability?
In today's world, sustainability has become a major focus, and as a global company, we understand the importance of setting the right example by protecting the environment and taking responsible actions to preserve the ecosystem. At BKT, we believe it is our responsibility to contribute to this ongoing mission of sustainability.
We recognise that preserving the environment, reducing waste, and minimizing our carbon footprint is essential for the survival of our planet. Therefore, we have implemented several measures to promote sustainability in our everyday practices. In fact, BKT is the first tyre company to adhere to REACH compliance environmental requirements of the European Union.
From adopting eco-friendly manufacturing processes to reducing waste and increasing the use of renewable energy, we are committed to creating a more sustainable future. For instance, we are in the process of installing a 5 MW windmill and 2 MW solar power plant for one of our plants, and we consistently upgrade our facilities to increase sustainability through the manufacturing of long-lasting products. We have also implemented the Zero Liquid Discharge principle, ensuring no liquid refuse is discharged from the facility.
At the BKT Bhuj plant, we have recently introduced a new and sustainable approach to utilising carbon black internally, the company substituted bulk bag containers with mobile silos, which are transported pneumatically to the tyre manufacturing plant. Additionally, the entire approach is designed to reduce energy consumption along with the reduction in CO2 emissions and at the same time maintain the quality of carbon black.
Our other environmental sustainability initiatives include extensive plantation programs and have created two large reservoirs at Bhuj, which form our key infrastructure for water conservation.
What measures do you have in place to ensure the safety and reliability of your OTR tyres, especially in demanding operating conditions?
For over 30 years, BKT has led the way in the creation and manufacture of safe, innovative, and performance-focused tyres dedicated to a range of OTR applications/machines and understands the criticality of OTR tyres and the segment.
From quarries to underground mines, OTR tyres operate under extremely harsh underfoot conditions, unlike any on-road tyres. Therefore, a machines downtime because of tyre failure can result in huge losses in terms of money and productivity for the customer. Hence we manufacture tyres with special features like all-steel radial tyres and unique compounds, like puncture-proof/puncture-resistant, heat-resistant, and cut-resistant compounds which negate tyre failure.
Also, when machine operations are in extremely high temperatures (50 degrees plus a few locations) or when the terrain is rocky and tyres are prone to cuts (in mines, scrapyards, municipalities), running for longer durations, tyres can undergo excessive wear. Hence we have developed long-lasting solutions and strive to deliver maximum value to our customers by creating tyres that provide longer tread wear. We have a range of tread designs each created to tackle a unique working environment. From extra deep treads to provide enhanced traction and comfort on severe, rocky surfaces to self-cleaning features for softer finer grounds.
In spite of all such precautions, if the tyres are damaged, we have an extensive network of BKT service teams. They ensure quick turnaround and get the machine running in a quick time.
Can you please share details on your expansion plans?
This year, we announced our three-year business plan to achieve annual tyre production of 600,000 metric tonne (MT) and envisage a turnover of $2 billion by the year 2026. For this, we are focusing on four aspects, starting with expansion at our Bhuj plant “ we have acquired additional land surrounding our plant so our total land parcel as of March 2023 is 640 acres. More space thus means more possibility to grow.
We have recently introduced a new product line i.e. rubber tracks - industrial rubber track series for compact track loaders and agriculture rubber tracks for harvesters. Additionally, we are working towards giant OTR sizes under our Earthmax SR series and working towards setting up a dedicated plant for production, in addition to expanding the related range.
Back in 2017, we embarked on a journey with a backward integration programme of setting up carbon black manufacturing, which has proved to be a boon and has augmented the supply of critical raw materials in the present circumstances. Today, the companys carbon black product is utilized captively and balanced is sold in the markets under the brand name BKT Carbon. The current capacity would be increased to 200,000 MT.
Lastly, apart from sustainability practices shared before, we have invested heavily in research and development to create innovative and sustainable tyre solutions. In addition, the key emphasis is given to continuous upgradation of technology, installation of automation, and modernisation.
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