TVS Tyres foresees demand for low aspect ratio tyres
The Chennai-based TVS Srichakra Ltd, manufacturer of two-wheeler tyres under TVS Tyres brand, foresees demand for low aspect ratio tyres and has tuned the units to produce them. The performance bikes usually are fitted with low aspect ratio tyres as they render a good cornering force. The trend is now trailing the path of super bikes and premium bikes. Hence the demand curve certainly will be scaled up. The company claims that it has tyres with aspect ratio that ranges between 60 and 70. But the avenues are promising for super bike segment and the company is compassing its target in this segment researching more on low aspect ratio tyres.
The Research and Development engages in various stages and plays interoperable role, the company stated. The certified R&D by the Government of India is responsible for developing algorithms for current and future market. Product development, material development, compound development, process development and technology development are the 5 elements, the R&D is expected to experiment.
P Vijayaraghavan, Director, TVS Srichakra said, “It is a race against time for us where we need to be proactive in tuning ourselves to the demand of low aspect ratio tyres. It is obvious now from the market. But there are other avenues which are rosy for us like the demand for green tyres which is the only solution available if the government closes the gate by 2018 for petrol- based products. We need to be always alert for the seismic transition impact also. During the transition from tube to tubeless and bias to radial we encountered a lot of technology changes. The same phase will continue and the research team of every organisation should race forward to bell the cat.”
It is inevitable at times to open gates for new vendors, he said. It is a cumbersome process and a lot of approvals need to be in place. Value engineering needs to be cracked and certain functions have to be discounted to achieve more for less. Concurrently quality cannot be put under hammer. Rejection is the part and parcel of manufacturing process as long as it does not affect the performance and revenue of the company. It is equally important to pay heed to regulatory requirements before turning on the components of the manufacturing unit. The regulation varies across countries and it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to deliver tyres abiding by the norms of the countries.
“The equipment specification is another important attribute to be