BKT is producing around 165 metric tonnes per annum and this would be 280 metric tonnes by 2017, says Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director in an interaction with EPC World.
BKT has reported a decline in volume of 26 per cent in European markets and the volume from the Indian market has gone up by 26 per cent. The company has given a price cut of 5-6 per cent in the European market. How does it affect BKT?
As you know, this year has been a challenging year for the industryall over the world. We will not be able to have a growth of 27 per cent. But we will ensure that we surpass the last fiscal results. If you see this fiscal, the numbers have been good and we hope the trend to continue in the second half.
So, are you looking at Indian market with a new vision?
Indian market has always been attractive. But we did not have the capacity to serve it. With our Bhuj plant, we have added the capacities and since last two years we are striving hard to make a niche in the industrial construction tyre market. Since last one year we have also made our presence recognised in the agricultural market. Now that the European and other markets are feeling the crunch, we are looking at Indian mining market too and that you can sense with the launch of 27.00R49.
Do you have any plans for making foray in automotive tyre manufacturing in the future?
No, we are not planning to foray in automotive tyre manufacturing. We have a vision of being a global leader in our segment. So the focus stays on the current market leadership.
What are the products manufacturing from newly set up Bhuj plant?
At Bhuj, we are manufacturing our regular basket of products. But now with additional capacity we have been able to add products like Ultra large giant OTR, all steel radical tyres. With this capacity availability, we would also be launching high end radials.
What are the global markets from where you expect robust demands?
The global markets have been slow since last fiscal. Half of the North America was affected by the floods and other half was affected by drought. But this year we expect the American markets to stabilise and they will show better improvement from the European markets.
What are volumes currently BKT producing?
BKT is producing around 165 metric tonnes per annum and this would be 280 metric tonnes by 2017. This would be almost doubling our capacity from the present volumes.
Please comment on the government’s policy ‘Make in India’.?
We are the true icon for ‘Make in India’ policy as for the years we have manufactured in India and exported the products to most of the world. We export more than 90 per cent of the company’s production to the global markets. We believed in this concept even before the government started this initiative.
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