JK Tyres Targets Aerial Work Platforms as Next Growth Engine

As metro lines weave through cities and glass-fronted corporate hubs reach for the clouds, the machinery required to build and maintain them is undergoing a change as well.

For years, the market for Aerial Work Platforms (AWP), the sophisticated lifts and telescopic arms that allow workers to operate safely at height, was the exclusive playground of European and Chinese imports. Now, Indian companies such as JK Tyres are looking to disrupt this foreign hegemony with their homegrown range.

Rivals such as MRF and Apollo Tyres are also among the strong Indian players operating in this segment.

According to Debashish Khuntia, Head of the OTR (Off-the-Road) Business at JK Tyres and Industries, the entry into the AWP segment is a natural progression for a company that already dominates the heavy-lifting space. “We are very, very strong in the crane segment,” notes Khuntia, pointing out that the company currently commands a staggering 70% share of the Original Equipment (OE) market. By partnering with industry-leading players like Action Construction, Escorts, and Sany, JK Tyres has built a foundation that it now aims to leverage in the AWP sector. He spoke on the sidelines of Excon 2025, held in Bengaluru.

Engineering for height is less about speed and more about “stiffness.” When a worker is suspended dozens of meters in the air, the smallest vibration at ground level can become a dangerous sway at the top. To solve this, the Sky Grip range features wider centre lugs for enhanced ground grip and extra-thick sidewalls to resist the jagged steel and debris common on construction sites.

Furthermore, the company says its focus on “cavity optimization” helps in cost-cutting for the end user. Most AWP tyres are “foam-filled,” a process in which a chemical mixture replaces air to prevent punctures and ensure the machine cannot tilt. By reducing the empty space (the cavity) inside the tyre, JK Tyres has lowered the amount of expensive foam required. “We tried to give a cost benefit to the customer,” says Khuntia, effectively lowering the total cost of owning the equipment while reducing machine downtime.

The tyre major also introduced three additional OTR tyres designed for critical industrial and mining applications. The 14.00-25 GTL PLUS has been developed for backhoe loaders, offering strong stability, durability, and dependable performance during frequent loading and excavation operations. The 23.5-25 GTL PLUS variant supports wheel loaders with improved traction and endurance on demanding surfaces. For underground mining requirements, the 14.00-20 VEM AS-UG features a reinforced casing and a specialised compound designed to withstand abrasive environments and the rigorous duty cycles of shuttle cars.

Defying the Downturn
The timing is fortuitous. While the broader construction equipment industry faced a 5% contraction between April and October, JK Tyres managed to remain flat or grow. This resilience was driven by two factors: a flurry of new product launches and a strong performance in the aftermarket (replacement) segment, where the company saw high double-digit growth.

Investment Spree
JK Tyres has committed a total of Rs 1,400 crore for expansion projects in India. These investments are distributed across three primary facilities. The largest portion, Rs 1,025 crore, is being invested in the Banmore plant in Madhya Pradesh. Another Rs 261 crore is allocated for the Laksar plant in Uttarakhand, and Rs 112 crore is being invested in the Vikrant tyre plant in Mysuru. Production from these domestic expansions is expected to begin by the end of Q3 FY26, with a full ramp-up occurring over the following financial year.

In addition to domestic spending, the company is undertaking a separate $21 million capex for its operations in Mexico (JK Tornel). This investment is intended to increase capacity by approximately 15%, specifically for the Passenger Car Radial segment, and is expected to go online in the first quarter of the next financial year.