 "Apollo Tyres")
Apollo Tyres has opened its global R&D centre (Asia) just outside the city of Chennai to focus on the research and development needs for all product segments. This is company’s second global R&D centre, after its first in the Netherlands, which is operational since 2013.
The two global R&D centres of Apollo Tyres, in addition to the core research, service the product development needs of the respective regions. The global R&D centre in Enschede (the Netherlands), with a team size of more than 150 people, services the Europe and America region. On the other hand, the Chennai centre, having an employee strength of 140-odd people, services the product development needs for the entire Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa region.
“Apollo Tyres has been at the forefront of launching breakthrough products over the past four decades suiting the Indian context. The global R&D centre (Asia) will break new frontiers and accelerate our R&D vision for India and the region. This step also aligns with the honourable Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s vision for brand India, and technology being one of the core sectors for India becoming a global power,” said Onkar Kanwar, chairman, Apollo Tyres Ltd, on the occasion of the inaugural ceremony.
Besides the two global R&D centres, Apollo Tyres also has set up two satellite R&D centres in Bengaluru and Germany. The advanced engineering centre in Bengaluru is working towards integrating electronics into tyre technology, where as the one in Raunheim (Frankfurt, Germany) is working towards establishing ties with leading German OE customers for both Apollo and Vredestein brands.
Neeraj Kanwar, vice chairman & managing director, Apollo Tyres Ltd, commented, “Apollo Tyres has been furthering the dimension of research and development, to usher in contemporary technology to service its customers in its chosen markets. The setting up of the two global R&D centres is a purposeful step towards this vision of the organisation.”
Few years back the company had restructured its research & development team, across key geographies, to create synergy and greater alignment to the company’s growth aspirations; and to generate speed and relevance while entering new markets.
