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B
KT, one of the world’s top off-highway tyre solution
providers, inaugurated their new Bhuj plant at the beginning
of December 2015.
huj is BKT’s most recent and largest production site. There are
production lines for all market segments such as agriculture,
construction and industrial vehicles as well as earthmoving, port and
mining applications.
More about the plant
The BKT plant of Bhuj (near the Port of Mundra, in the State of
Gujarat) was built in an inaccessible area in a desert. After the start
of construction works in January 2011, an 8 km long pipeline for
drinking water as well as 13 km of electricity lines were laid.
According to Mr Rajiv Poddar (joint managing director: BKT) the new
BKT site covers a total surface area of 126 hectares. An area of almost
10 hectares is dedicated to a modern outdoor track. Tractors and
industrial vehicles equipped with BKT tyres are tested there. Their
state-of-the-art R&D Centre, which will be completed by early 2016,
contains an innovative structure, where research on new polymers
is done and new tread compounds are developed.
’Our researchers, engineers and technicians can boast of having the
most advanced equipment for chemical, physical and mechanical
testing,’ Poddar said.
The central area in the plant hosts the production house that
streches over 29 hectares. Looking at figures and dimensions, Bhuj
is a very impressive industrial complex. Yet, it is more than just a
prestigious entity for production, research and testing.
On over 6 hectares of the Bhuj site a small town for the employees
was built including modern flats for 406 families, a mall, a green area,
a recreation centre, a medical centre and a fire station. In addition
there are 90 rooms for university students who take part in an
industry-university co-operation project.
Even though the entire project will only be completed by the end of
2016, the first tyre rolled off the production lines in March 2012.
Currently BKT has a production capability for the sizes ranging from
17,5” to 49” and in 2016 it will go up to 51”. They are proud of having
a very extensive range of radial agricultural tyres consisting of over
230 sizes, and also being the leading manufacturer of agri radial
tyres across the globe.
Visit your local Tubestone dealer for more information on BKT
tyres.
(More information about the tyres currently produced in Bhuj was
published in the February 2016 issue of
SA Graan/Grain
. – Ed.)
1: A thermoelectric power plant meets the requirements for water
vapour and electricity throughout the entire site. Enormous water
collection tanks provide water reserves even in droughts.
2a - 2d: Inside the plant – which is now ready to serve demand.
3: The Bhuj Lab.
4: The testing track, the one and only in India, has been set up to
test tyre performance and driving comfort on different surfaces from
uniform road conditions to rough terrain.
5: The Bhuj plant also has its own fire station with seven firefighting
trucks, two ambulances and a smooth firefighting system covering
the entire complex. The fire brigade also takes action even in case of
emergencies outside the Bhuj plant.
107
March 2016
RELEVANT
Company ready to change the game
with new production plant
ESTIE DE VILLIERS,
editor:
SA Graan/Grain
and
LAURA PEDRALI,
European press office: BKT
– PART 2
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2a
2c
2b
2d