Mumbai: Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has expanded its Commercial Vehicle Radial tyre distribution network in Tamil Nadu with the opening of a 10,000 sq. ft. facility in Sankagiri, Salem, as the tyre manufacturer steps up its presence in India’s on-highway commercial vehicle market.
The facility, operated by authorised distributor Sri Jayanthi Roadways, is expected to improve availability of BKT’s Commercial Vehicle Radial, or CVR, tyre portfolio across eight major transport markets — Salem, Sankagiri, Namakkal, Erode, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Karur.
BKT, traditionally known for its Off-Highway tyre business, has been expanding its presence in India’s commercial vehicle tyre segment. The Sankagiri facility forms part of that strategy and is intended to bring the company closer to fleet operators, dealers and other channel partners in one of southern India’s major freight corridors.
Tamil Nadu is an important commercial transportation market because of its extensive road network, industrial activity and substantial freight movement. Sankagiri, in particular, has developed into a major trucking and logistics centre with connections towards Salem, Coimbatore and Kerala.
The new distribution hub is therefore positioned in a market where trucks are hardly unfamiliar visitors. BKT said the location would help improve product access while supporting its wider expansion across South India.
The facility was inaugurated alongside a Partner Connect programme on September 23, bringing together dealers, fleet operators and representatives of the regional transport sector.
Seven commercial vehicles fitted with BKT tyres were also symbolically flagged off during the event, highlighting the company’s efforts to increase its presence in Tamil Nadu’s CVR market.
Representatives from the Sankagiri Lorry Owners Association, which has more than 3,300 members, participated in the programme.
The inauguration was attended by BKT executives including Satish Sharma, Senior President and Director – Business Development and Strategy, and Amitkumar Agarwal, National Sales Head, Commercial Vehicle Radial Tyres.
Other attendees included N R S (a) N Kandhasamy, President of the Sankagiri Lorry Owners Association, and P Shanmugam, President of the Sankagiri Taluk Bus Owner’s Association, along with members of the region’s transport and fleet community.
Commenting on the expansion, Amitkumar Agarwal, National Sales Head, Commercial Vehicle Radial Tyres, BKT, said:
“Tamil Nadu is one of BKT Tyres priority growth markets for the commercial vehicle tyre segment, given its strong transport ecosystem, developed infrastructure and mature fleet operator base. As we continue to expand our on-highway business in India, strengthening our presence in key freight and logistics hubs is critical to building closer relationships with customers and improving access to our products.
Sankagiri’s strategic location and deep-rooted transport community make it an important market for our growth ambitions in the region. Through our partnership with Sri Jayanthi Roadways, which brings over four decades of industry experience, we are creating a stronger platform to serve fleet operators, transporters and channel partners. This facility is an important step in our commitment to building a robust distribution network and expanding BKT Tyres commercial vehicle tyre footprint across South India.”
Sri Jayanthi Roadways brings more than four decades of experience in the sector, according to the company.
The Sankagiri expansion comes as BKT continues to broaden its CVR portfolio and distribution footprint in India, extending beyond the Off-Highway tyre category with which the company has long been associated.
For tyre manufacturers, stronger distribution in major trucking centres can be as important as expanding the product range itself. With the Sankagiri hub, BKT is placing greater emphasis on physical availability and fleet relationships as it seeks a larger role in India’s commercial vehicle tyre market.
