Safety, skilling key priorities for tyre industry

Awareness on tyre care, safety and re-skilling of commercial tyre mechanics are currently the key focus areas for Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) and its technical wing, Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC).

After a highly successful tyre care and safety campaign at Honda Cars India's Greater Noida plant earlier this year, Honda Cars invited ATMA and ITTAC to hold a similar activity at their Tapukara (Rajasthan) plant for the benefit of Honda Cars employees. Service engineers from ATMA member companies inspected tyres of the cars parked; held interactive seminars with employees for safe tyre care practices and distributed free literature.

"The role of well-maintained tyres in overall road safety is crucial. After all, tyres are the only point of contact with the road. A large number of accidents can be prevented if simple steps are taken to maintain tyres", said Satish Sharma, Chairman ATMA.

The Union Government has been taking keen interest in tyre safety programme being run by ATMA and ITTAC. Ramesh Abhishek, Secretary-DIPP recently released the tyre care and safety report.

In a new skilling initiative, ATMA and ITTAC launched a programme to re-skill commercial tyre mechanics known as tyre fitters. "Tyre Fitters' role is an important one. A tyre fitter not only repairs a tyre but also advises the transporter/ trucker about the condition of the tyre, good tyre upkeep, precautions that need to be taken for improving the life of a tyre etc", said V. K. Misra, Chairman ITTAC.

During the training, tyre fitters are being given an in-depth understanding of commercial tyre and its components, best practices for upkeep of tyres, different tyre faults, their causes and the remedial measures.

Tyre companies which have been participating in ATMA tyre safety and re-skilling drives include Apollo Tyres, Birla Tyres, Bridgestone, Ceat, Continental, Goodyear, JK Tyre, Michelin, MRF, TVS and Yokohama.