Truck radials could be next big thing: JK Tyre

Mumbai, Apr 5: Radials for trucks and commercial vehicles are likely to be the next big thing in the tyre industry, said JK Tyre president Arun Bajoria. ''Sales have been picking up in all segments but truck radials have seen sales jump from 3.67 lakh tyres to eight lakh tyres in 2007-08'', said Bajoria yesterday here. Citing increase in awareness on the advantages of radials over regular tyres as the main reason for the segment's growth, Bajoria told the sources that the company expects sales in truck radials to touch the 8-12 lakh mark by 2010-11.

To meet the increase in demand, JK Tyre had undertaken a two-year expansion drive from 2005, costing Rs 225 crore, that increased its capacity of production from 61.27 lakh tyres to 87.52 lakh tyres. It is also planning to further invest Rs 480 crore in 2008-09. The Company expects its sales turnover to touch Rs 5,000 crore in FY '09.

UNI