Strike cripples Apollo Tyres' SA unit

Delhi-based Apollo Tyres' one of India's top three tyres manufacturers, today stated that workers at the company's two tyre manufacturing locations in South Africa, Durban and Ladysmith have joined the general strike.

Apollo Tyres South Africa (ATSA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo Tyres, has received notice of a referral to the competition tribunal of a complaint by the competition commission dated August 31, 2010 alleging anti-competitive conduct by tyre manufacturers including ATSA.

It recommended imposition of an administrative penalty of 10 per cent of turnover by 2008.

Apollo Tyres have been advised that ATSA have submitted all the information to the competition commission in a transparent manner during the course of the enquiry and have fully co-operated with their investigation to date, the tyre producer stated in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange today.

ATSA is in the process of defending the case at the level of competition tribunal by taking suitable legal advice.