Interview With A Tyre Leader_PK Mohamed_Apollo Tyres
Mohamed is a soft-spoken and an accomplished tyre technologist with 5 decades of experience in the field of Tyre Technology and Manufacturing. When you read this passionate interview of his journey from a college lecturer to a well-known tyre technologist, you will observe struggles, challenges, achievements, dedication and loyalty; and importance of continuous education - a complete package of learning and leadership wisdom for new generation of aspiring professionals in tyre industry. Mohamed is a soft-spoken and an accomplished tyre technologist with 5 decades of experience in the field of Tyre Technology and Manufacturing. When you read this passionate interview of his journey from a college lecturer to a well-known tyre technologist, you will observe struggles, challenges, achievements, dedication and loyalty; and importance of continuous education - a complete package of learning and leadership wisdom for new generation of aspiring professionals in tyre industry.
Tyre Technology Is An Amalgamation Of Science And Engineering. INTERVIEW WITH P.K.MOHAMED Chief Adviser - Research & Technology Member of Management Board Apollo Tyres Ltd.
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<strong>Tyre</strong> Technology Is<br />
An Amalgamation<br />
Of Science And<br />
Engineering.<br />
INTERVIEW WITH<br />
P.K.MOHAMED<br />
Chief Adviser - Research & Technology<br />
Member of Management Board<br />
<strong>Apollo</strong> <strong>Tyre</strong>s Ltd.
| <strong>Interview</strong>er’s Note |<br />
“A leader is someone who<br />
demonstrates, what’s possible”<br />
- Mark Yarnell<br />
P.K. <strong>Mohamed</strong> is a soft-spoken and an accomplished tyre<br />
technologist. I consider it a privilege to know him and<br />
present his leadership wisdom to you in this special edition.<br />
The above quote aptly summarizes <strong>Mohamed</strong>. You will<br />
agree with me when you read this passionate interview of<br />
his journey from a college lecturer to a well-known tyre<br />
technologist. There are struggles, challenges, achievements,<br />
lessons on loyalty and continuous education for us to imbibe<br />
in his more than 49 years' of experience in the field of <strong>Tyre</strong><br />
Technology and Manufacturing.<br />
<strong>Mohamed</strong>’s exceptional knowledge, clarity, relevance and<br />
insight on the various aspects is awe-inspiring. I have said<br />
earlier that true leaders are few and when we find one, we<br />
look towards them as mentor and guide.<br />
<strong>Mohamed</strong> is a Fellow Member of the Rubber and Plastic<br />
Institute London, Member in the Management Board of<br />
<strong>Apollo</strong> <strong>Tyre</strong>s Ltd, Industrial Advisory board of Centre for<br />
<strong>Tyre</strong> Research, USA, IRCO and Area Director of American<br />
Chemical Society Rubber Division. <strong>Mohamed</strong> is also the<br />
Chairman of Indian <strong>Tyre</strong> Technical Advisory Committee<br />
(ITTAC), Technology Environment Safety and Standard<br />
(TESS) group of ATMA and past chairman of IRI. He has<br />
several international publications to his credit.<br />
As always, I welcome your feedback on<br />
rubbermachineryworld@gmail.com.<br />
Best Regards<br />
Prasanth Warrier<br />
There are struggles,<br />
challenges, success<br />
lessons on loyalty<br />
and continuous<br />
education for us to<br />
imbibe in his more<br />
than 49 years of<br />
experience.<br />
rubbermachineri<br />
rubbermachineryworld<br />
+Rubbermachineryworld1<br />
grp/home?gid=8252803<br />
rubbermachineri<br />
3<br />
(Disclaimer: All the pictures and statements in this special supplement are sourced from web or shared by respective companies.<br />
All copyrights belong to actual owner. Rubber Machinery World does not independently verify them nor will vouch for their<br />
genuineness, hence will not be liable for any misrepresented data. The images are used for representation purpose only.)<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
4<br />
“Most of my learning in rubber<br />
technology and compounding<br />
has happened during my career.”<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016<br />
(Image Source: <strong>Apollo</strong> <strong>Tyre</strong>s Website.)
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
<strong>Tyre</strong> Technology is an Amalgamation<br />
of Science and Engineering<br />
<strong>Interview</strong> <strong>With</strong> P.K.<strong>Mohamed</strong>,<br />
Chief Adviser - Research & Technology. Member of Management Board, <strong>Apollo</strong> <strong>Tyre</strong>s<br />
PRASANTH WARRIER (PW):<br />
Hello <strong>Mohamed</strong>. First of all thank<br />
you for accepting an interview with<br />
Rubber Machinery World (RMW) and<br />
sharing your thoughts. From a Junior<br />
Lecturer at Calicut Farook College<br />
(Kerala) to being recognized as ‘Best<br />
<strong>Tyre</strong> Technologist’ and a Member of<br />
Management Board of <strong>Apollo</strong> <strong>Tyre</strong>s<br />
is a remarkable journey. So let me<br />
start with a personal question - What<br />
would you say was key to your success<br />
and how you reached the very top<br />
spot? What are the take away for the<br />
next generation of leaders in your<br />
inspiring story?<br />
P.K. MOHAMED (<strong>PK</strong>M):<br />
It is a fact that I started my career as<br />
a Junior Lecturer in the year 1965<br />
immediately after passing out from college<br />
with Chemistry major. But it was not long<br />
before I realized that the challenges in the<br />
position as a junior lecturer was<br />
inadequate to meet my desires. And my<br />
mind was prompting me to look for a job in<br />
the industry to meet my aspirations and<br />
challenges. So I tried for a job in rubber and<br />
fertilizer industries and was fortunate to<br />
receive positive responses from both. My<br />
decision was to join rubber industry for the<br />
more lucrative remuneration then offered<br />
by the industry.<br />
I joined as a Supervisor in the Quality<br />
Department in Premier <strong>Tyre</strong>s under J.D.<br />
Kamath. Kamath was a good teacher and<br />
guide. At that time the technical department<br />
was headed by G.K.Pillai, a well known <strong>Tyre</strong><br />
Technologist trained in the USA under the<br />
collaboration agreement with General <strong>Tyre</strong>.<br />
The compounding department was headed<br />
by Dr. A.S. Nair, a doctorate holder from IIT<br />
Kharagpur and a well known person in the<br />
field of rubber compounding and material<br />
science. I was fortunate to be a protégé<br />
of these eminent personalities. They<br />
provided me with excellent training that<br />
enabled me to perform better and better in<br />
future. It is worth to mention that when I<br />
joined the Rubber Industry, my knowledge<br />
about Rubber technology and rubber<br />
compounding was very limited. During my<br />
academic time, I only learnt that there was<br />
a molecule called ‘isoprene’ which was the<br />
monomer of natural rubber.<br />
Most of my learning in rubber technology<br />
and compounding has happened during my<br />
5<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
6<br />
career. This reinforced my belief in the<br />
benefits of continuing education in the<br />
fieldof one’s interest, through reading,<br />
interaction, active participation in the<br />
technical discussion, experimentation of<br />
one’s ideas and analysis of their outcome.<br />
Linking these observations with the<br />
theories, is an important element of<br />
learning which is essential for one’s<br />
professional growth.<br />
It is also important to acquire<br />
qualification in the respective<br />
professional field for better recognition.<br />
The successful stint in Premier saw me<br />
elevated to the position of the Manager -<br />
Compounding & Laboratory Chemist.<br />
It was time in 1976, when <strong>Apollo</strong> <strong>Tyre</strong>s<br />
was looking for a rubber technologist<br />
with a qualification of LPRI (London) and<br />
with compounding background to be<br />
trained under their collaborator, General<br />
Tire International Company (GTIC) in the<br />
USA. A change seemed just right for me at<br />
that stage to further my career growth<br />
and also to support the financial needs of<br />
my family which was particularly more<br />
felt after my marriage.<br />
I applied for the position on offer and got<br />
selected. People around me and well<br />
wishers like Dr. A.S.Nair, G.K.Pillai,<br />
M.Jayashankar, I.Venugopal, and Dr. John<br />
Jacob congratulated me because then<br />
<strong>Apollo</strong> <strong>Tyre</strong>s was considered to be a rising<br />
star in the industry circles. And more for<br />
the fact that it was managed by the<br />
dynamic entrepreneur, Raunaq Singh.<br />
“The products offered by our<br />
collaborator were not meeting<br />
the customer and market<br />
requirements and hence tyres<br />
started failing miserably.”<br />
I joined <strong>Apollo</strong> with a lot of hope and went<br />
to General Tires for extensive training in<br />
the areas of rubber compounding, fabric<br />
dipping, calendaring, and heat engineering.<br />
I returned to India and started working<br />
under William Stebins, a General <strong>Tyre</strong><br />
Compounding Specialist.<br />
The Technology was then headed by Ceaser<br />
Pereira. Even though every individual<br />
department put in their best efforts, heart<br />
and soul for the growth of the company, the<br />
products offered by our collaborator were<br />
not meeting the customer and market<br />
requirements. Hence tyres started failing<br />
miserably.<br />
<strong>Apollo</strong> reached a situation where in all the<br />
raw material suppliers refused to make<br />
anymore supply of their products,<br />
collaborator refused to provide further<br />
technology and dealers stopped lifting our<br />
tyres. During that time Raunaq Singh<br />
installed a new management team under the<br />
leadership of Onkar Singh Kanwar, the<br />
present Chairman and Managing Director.<br />
When he took over the company, there was<br />
no credible management team and whoever<br />
was available, was having a very low<br />
morale.<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
Quality reputation was extremely poor,<br />
financial and labour situation were<br />
miserable. But he managed the situation<br />
with his management skill, positive<br />
attitude, optimistic and aggressive<br />
approach.<br />
10<br />
During that time the technical<br />
department was totally vacant and there<br />
was no chance for an external person<br />
with good background joining the<br />
company. So they identified me to steer<br />
the technical department by promoting<br />
me as a Senior manager.<br />
It was then D.V. Kohli and Kanwar gave<br />
the assignment for the development of a<br />
tyre for over-load market and get the<br />
share of this market from the Modi N-416,<br />
(then market leader in that segment with<br />
60 per cent market share). This was an<br />
herculean task to achieve with the<br />
available expertise and man power.<br />
Despite that, I along with R.N. Krishnan,<br />
Sondh, T.R. Gopalakrishnan, Tom Thomas<br />
and Cyriac Mattam, decided to put our<br />
heart and soul; determined to achieve the<br />
goal set by our beloved chairman. We<br />
identified the weaknesses of N-416 tyres<br />
and developed a tyre with the new design<br />
concept, carcass platform, process and<br />
material technology.<br />
The project was a great success. Our<br />
company’s sales of this particular brand<br />
of tyres moved from 3,000 tyres to over<br />
400,000 tyres per annum.<br />
“These developments changed<br />
the overall reputation and<br />
financial status of <strong>Apollo</strong>.”<br />
This success encouraged the whole team and<br />
boosted their morale multi-fold. The<br />
increased vigour further paved the way for<br />
the development of XT-7, Amar and passenger<br />
radial tyre technology using available<br />
equipment and market a brand of tyres<br />
called Polyglass.<br />
These developments changed the overall<br />
reputation and financial status of <strong>Apollo</strong>,<br />
which lead to the expansion of company’s<br />
Perambra plant capacity from 56 MT to 106<br />
MT per day.<br />
As the demand for our tyres further<br />
increased, the management decided to set up<br />
a plant in Gujarat with a capacity of 76 MT<br />
and the same got expanded to 350 MT with in<br />
a short time.<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
(Image Source: Autocarpro.in)<br />
“Our company continued to<br />
grow from strength to strength<br />
and prospered.”<br />
Our company continued to grow from<br />
strength to strength and prospered under<br />
the leadership of Onkar Kanwar and Neeraj<br />
Kanwar. New technology products like PCR,<br />
TBR, OTR and Agricultural products were<br />
introduced successfully, which helped to<br />
expand the company from 56 MT to reach a<br />
capacity of 1600 MT day in the year 2014.<br />
<strong>Apollo</strong> <strong>Tyre</strong>s also acquired plants in thr<br />
Netherlands, South Africa and India<br />
(Premier <strong>Tyre</strong>s).<br />
During this journey of growth, the<br />
technology department, under my<br />
leadership developed products, processes,<br />
systems etc., to maintain the market<br />
leadership. This was recognized by the<br />
management and suitable rewards were<br />
<strong>Apollo</strong> <strong>Tyre</strong>s Display at IMME2014<br />
given to all people who have worked in the<br />
technology department including myself.<br />
I consider myself as one of the luckiest<br />
person in the company because I always<br />
received full support from Onkar Kanwar<br />
and Neeraj Kanwar. And they played a vital<br />
role in developing me as one of the wellrecognized<br />
technologists in the field of tyre<br />
technology. I am greatly indebted to them.<br />
My journey in <strong>Apollo</strong> <strong>Tyre</strong>s was fascinating<br />
one, full of challenges which I cherished<br />
throughout my career in the company. I<br />
taught myself, several new lessons in the<br />
company and wish to share a few of them<br />
with the readers:<br />
1. I am a strong believer of Abraham<br />
Lincoln’s words "failure is not a dead end<br />
11<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
12<br />
(Image Source: Web)<br />
Onkar S. Kanwar<br />
Chairman & Managing Director<br />
Neeraj Kanwar<br />
Vice-Chairman & Managing Director<br />
P.K. <strong>Mohamed</strong><br />
“I always received full support from<br />
Onkar Kanwar and Neeraj Kanwar.<br />
And they played a vital role in<br />
developing me as one of the wellrecognized<br />
tyre technologists. I am<br />
greatly indebted to them.”<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
but it is a detour. Enthusiasm, passion,<br />
commitment, proper analytical<br />
capability, dedication, positive mind and<br />
of course expertise building through<br />
continuous upgradation of knowledge<br />
will make you an expert.<br />
PW: As one of the first few employees,<br />
your contribution at various levels has<br />
been significant in <strong>Apollo</strong>’s rise to today’s<br />
leadership position in tyre industry.<br />
Which is the position that you enjoyed<br />
the most? Why?<br />
2. Please do not believe in one-time<br />
education, the success will be depended<br />
upon continuing the education throughout<br />
your career.<br />
3. Challenges always, look insurmountable<br />
and difficult to achieve but the same can<br />
easily be achieved if you commit<br />
yourself to face them with all your<br />
beliefs and passion.<br />
<strong>PK</strong>M: When I scan my memory of<br />
achievements in <strong>Apollo</strong> <strong>Tyre</strong>s, several<br />
incidences are flashing across in my mind. It<br />
is difficult for me to list all of these items<br />
here, but would like to provide a few of them<br />
for the information of the readers of this<br />
interview. I enjoyed my job in every position<br />
held, that started as the Deputy Manager,<br />
Compounding to Chief Advisor, Technology,<br />
in the span of 38 years in the company.<br />
16<br />
4. Individual can achieve very little but a<br />
team can achieve a lot. Team work is<br />
very critical for success.<br />
“Challenges can be<br />
achieved if you commit<br />
yourself to face them<br />
with all your beliefs<br />
and passion.”<br />
I have already mentioned some of the<br />
interesting developments that took place in<br />
the company but wish to highlight a few<br />
major happenings that I cherish, for better<br />
understanding for the readers.<br />
Image from advertisement of<br />
<strong>Apollo</strong> Alnac 4G Winter <strong>Tyre</strong><br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016<br />
(Image Source: <strong>Tyre</strong>press.com.)
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
“Hercules Loadstar changed the<br />
fortune of the company. Initial<br />
production was only 3000 tyres<br />
per annum and the same had<br />
increased to 400, 000 and earned<br />
market share of more than 40%<br />
with quality leadership. The<br />
positive attitude of my team<br />
members and my belief in me<br />
and my people had paved the<br />
way to develop the tyre,<br />
perfect the same, and establish<br />
leadership position.”<br />
P.K. <strong>Mohamed</strong><br />
1. First incident comes in mind is the task<br />
given by Onkar Kanwar and D.V. Kohli in<br />
the year 1981. Kanwar was inducted into<br />
the company when the company was<br />
continuously making losses, morale of<br />
the employees were at the bottom and<br />
quality reputation of the product was<br />
poor. Then Sales Director, Kohli<br />
convinced Kanwar that the quality<br />
reputation of the company can only be<br />
revived if technology can develop a<br />
product for heavy load market and<br />
create a stiff competition to Modi N-416,<br />
the then market leader in that segment<br />
with 60% market share. I was asked to<br />
develop a tyre for heavy load market<br />
using existing man power and facilities.<br />
Even though it was an herculean task at<br />
that time, the positive attitude of my<br />
team members and my belief in me and<br />
my people had paved the way to develop<br />
the tyre, perfect the same, and establish<br />
leadership position in the market. This<br />
tyre was known in the market as<br />
Hercules Loadstar. Initial production was<br />
only 3000 tyres per annum and the same<br />
had increased to 400, 000 and earned<br />
market share of more than 40% with<br />
quality leadership. This changed the<br />
fortune of the company.<br />
2. Second task was given to me by my best<br />
friend, colleague, the then Technical<br />
Service Head, U.S. Oberoi. This happened<br />
in the year 1986. During that time<br />
Goodyear introduced a tyre called CT-169,<br />
and claimed as a mileage leader in the<br />
market place. Oberoi advised me to<br />
develop a tyre to compete with the<br />
Goodyear product and to take major<br />
market share in the load and mileage<br />
segment. We developed a tyre with<br />
innovative tread and compounding<br />
technology and embedded on Hercules<br />
17<br />
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| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
(Image Source: Cardekho.com)<br />
<strong>Apollo</strong> Chennai Plant<br />
18<br />
platform. Even though, initially we had<br />
many problems with the performance of<br />
the tyres, we as a team solved them one by<br />
one. And ultimately the tyre became the<br />
volume, quality and price leader in the<br />
Indian market. Production of this tyre<br />
increased from initial 6000 tyres to over<br />
500,000 per annum.<br />
3. Third task was given to me by our young,<br />
dynamic leader Neeraj Kanwar in the year<br />
2006. This was the development of TBR<br />
tyres with excellent durability, to establish<br />
the same in the market place, and earn<br />
brand leadership similar to the global<br />
competitors. During that time all<br />
companies, except JK, were struggling hard<br />
to establish their TBR tyres in the market<br />
place. JK’s TBR tyre, JDH was very well<br />
known in the load segment and our<br />
challenge was to create a product credibly<br />
competing with JDH in the Indian market.<br />
<strong>Apollo</strong> was well known for the production<br />
of high quality bias tyres then but our<br />
knowledge and experience in truck radial<br />
“On the strength of great<br />
belief on our capabilities, and<br />
technological knowhow,<br />
Neeraj Kanwar decided to set<br />
up a new plant with the<br />
capacity of 2 million tyres per<br />
annum in Chennai.”<br />
tyre technology were not tested at all. On<br />
the strength of great belief on our<br />
capabilities, and technological knowhow,<br />
Neeraj Kanwar decided to set up a new<br />
plant with the capacity of 2 million tyres<br />
per annum in Chennai. After taking this<br />
decision, he gave the responsibility of<br />
setting up plant and selection of<br />
equipment to K. Prabhakar and process<br />
and product development to myself. We<br />
had sleepless nights because we did not<br />
have a proven product, process technology<br />
and an established market. But myself and<br />
K. Prabhakar worked like a single soul,<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
PW: Today, profitability for tire<br />
producers is from falling raw material<br />
prices, which may not be a true<br />
reflection for the future. Strategically,<br />
where do you see opportunities for tire<br />
producers like <strong>Apollo</strong> to build sustaining<br />
profitability while creating more value<br />
to your customers?<br />
<strong>PK</strong>M: We are fully aware of this aspect and<br />
our Chairman and Vice Chairman are<br />
always emphasizing on this, the way you<br />
mentioned. Product cost of a tyre is highly<br />
influenced by raw material input cost. The<br />
value addition on raw material cost is very<br />
low in the developing countries like India.<br />
But at the same time it is good in developed<br />
countries. In developing countries, the<br />
value addition on raw material cost may<br />
vary between 40 to 70% but at the same<br />
time this may way vary more than 100%<br />
in developed countries. <strong>Tyre</strong> Industry is a<br />
special industry where the R&D,<br />
marketing and sale expenses are relatively<br />
high. So it is necessary to create better<br />
value addition on raw material cost<br />
through improvement in product<br />
performance, brand building and marketing<br />
your products in the markets and segments<br />
where the value addition is high. It is also<br />
essential to contain the cost of raw material<br />
through innovation in tyre design,<br />
manufacturing, and usage of alternate and<br />
recycled materials, wherever the same is<br />
possible through value engineering. Other<br />
conversion cost such as labour, energy,<br />
repair and maintenance have to be<br />
controlled and wastage of material have to<br />
be minimised with the support of every team<br />
member involved in the process.<br />
“It is necessary to create better<br />
value-addition on raw material<br />
cost through improvement in<br />
product performance, brand<br />
building and marketing your<br />
products in the markets and<br />
segments where the valueaddition<br />
is high.”<br />
19<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
22<br />
provided the right leadership to our next<br />
line leaders like T.R.Gopalakrishnan<br />
(Technology & Process Development) and<br />
C. Krishnakumar (Projects & Equipment).<br />
We commissioned this plant, developed<br />
process technology and products suitable<br />
for Indian market, and established the<br />
same in the market place. We are now<br />
doubling Chennai Plant from 2 million to<br />
4.1 million tyres per annum. We are one<br />
of the well-known players in truck radial<br />
tyres in Indian market. My satisfaction is<br />
that, after starting and establishing the<br />
development of bias tyres at <strong>Apollo</strong>, I also<br />
had an opportunity to manage the<br />
transition from bias to radial tyre<br />
technology and establish TBR tyres.<br />
4. Another small challenge I remember was<br />
given by Neeraj Kanwar. Kanwar after<br />
visiting a few international plants came<br />
and advised us to enhance the mixing<br />
capacity to be in line with international<br />
plants. This was required to expand our<br />
bias tyre capacity without any fresh<br />
investment in the mixing area. During<br />
that time our mixing cycle to produce<br />
one batch from master to final, was more<br />
than 300 seconds. We as a team used all<br />
our knowledge, experience, expertise<br />
and worked in the areas of productive<br />
and non productive time and reduced<br />
the mixing cycle from 300 seconds to 180<br />
second for a batch from master to final.<br />
This helped to make huge saving on<br />
investment in man power, equipment,<br />
building and utility.<br />
I hope that I have provided enough example<br />
of challenges given by my leaders, Onkar<br />
Knwar and Neeraj Kanwar, which has<br />
helped me to keep motivated and perform<br />
beyond my expectation.<br />
“We as a team used all our knowledge,<br />
experience, expertise and worked in<br />
the areas of productive and non<br />
productive time and reduced the<br />
mixing cycle from 300 seconds to<br />
180 second for a batch from master<br />
to final.”<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
“Changes demanded newer<br />
raw materials and significant<br />
alterations in compound design<br />
mixing, extrusion and curing<br />
technology.”<br />
Extrusion Inside <strong>Apollo</strong> Chennai Plant<br />
23<br />
PW: Would you say that rubber<br />
compounding has undergone change in<br />
the last decades that you have been with<br />
rubber industry? What were the drivers<br />
for this change? What role has<br />
machinery played in this change?<br />
<strong>PK</strong>M: In general, all industries are<br />
influenced by the changes happening in the<br />
environment, regulations, standards and of<br />
course the developments happening in the<br />
industries around the same business. We<br />
have witnessed major changes in the<br />
automobile industries, particularly in the<br />
environmental and legal requirements. The<br />
adoption of ABS breaking system by the<br />
automobile industries demanded higher<br />
wet and dry traction for tread compounds<br />
used for the tyres. The introduction of tyre<br />
labeling system in Europe, and in a few<br />
more countries, forced the tyre<br />
manufacturers to design their tyres with<br />
better traction, rolling resistance and<br />
reduced noise level. In truck categories of<br />
tyres, customers are demanding better<br />
mileage, durability and retreading<br />
capabilities. All these changes demanded<br />
newer raw materials and significant<br />
alterations in compound design, mixing,<br />
extrusion and curing technology. Key<br />
equipment manufacturers have responded<br />
very well to the requirement of the tyre<br />
industries and some of them developed new<br />
equipment and others modified their<br />
existing equipment to process these<br />
materials, compounds and components in<br />
the desired way.<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
24<br />
PW: How do you envision tyre building<br />
shaping up in the next 10 years? As a<br />
technologist, what are your expectations<br />
from a machinery manufacturer/supplier<br />
to achieve this vision?<br />
<strong>PK</strong>M: As we all know, the tyre building<br />
machine is one piece of equipment which is<br />
used by the tyre engineer to convert tyre<br />
layout into actual green tyre. This is a very<br />
critical process. The tyre technologist<br />
expects that this process to happen with<br />
bare minimum movements of components<br />
placed in the respective position of tyres. If<br />
changes happen as against his expectation,<br />
the performance of the tyre will have a<br />
very adverse impact. Even though tyre<br />
building equipment manufacturers have<br />
done enough development in the areas<br />
of cycle time reduction, application of<br />
component, its accuracy and<br />
repeatability, there are several areas<br />
which need attention to improve the<br />
uniformity, cycle time and accuracy of<br />
component placement. The cycle time of<br />
carcass drum is 80 to 90% more than<br />
shaping and B&T drums which<br />
determines the overall productivity of<br />
“There are several areas (in<br />
<strong>Tyre</strong> Building Machinery)<br />
which need attention to<br />
improve the uniformity,<br />
cycle time and accuracy of<br />
component placement.”<br />
Inside <strong>Apollo</strong> Chennai Plant<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
tyre building machine. Automation can<br />
be enhanced in the machine in the areas<br />
like ply zipping operation etc, to improve<br />
the cycle time. In order to minimize tyre<br />
failures in the areas of tread splice and<br />
turn up, possibilities of application of<br />
strip tread can be explored to avoid<br />
splices related failures and bead<br />
clamping device and its holding pressure<br />
can be modified to improve the<br />
performance in the bead area. All the<br />
above have to be done to realize the<br />
“Automation can be<br />
enhanced in the machine in<br />
the areas like ply zipping<br />
operation etc., to improve<br />
the cycle time.”<br />
Inside <strong>Apollo</strong> Chennai Plant<br />
vision of the tyre technologist of creating<br />
the best product in his mind.<br />
PW: What new ideas are energizing the<br />
tire industry globally? How much of<br />
these ideas is facilitated by<br />
developments or improvements in<br />
machinery?<br />
<strong>PK</strong>M: I am witnessing several changes in the<br />
tyre manufacturing process to meet the<br />
challenges of tyre technology and to meet<br />
such changes, equipment manufacturers are<br />
working in tandem. Many of these changes<br />
are happening to meet the rules set by<br />
regulatory authorities, enhancement in<br />
performance requirements of replacement<br />
customers and OEMs and in processing of<br />
new material.<br />
25<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
I am witnessing a sea change in the area of<br />
mixing. The introduction of Silica filler, in<br />
combination with solution SBR and Silane<br />
coupling agent, revolutionised mixing,<br />
extrusion, building and curing technology<br />
and their equipment configuration. Earlier<br />
mixing process was known as a physical<br />
processes and today the same is known as<br />
a chemical process.<br />
The equipment manufacturers have<br />
developed tandem mixing, for mixing<br />
silica compounds to enhance its<br />
consistency and productivity.<br />
28<br />
Tangential mixer manufacturers have<br />
improved their rotors design with better<br />
cooling capabilities. The configuration of<br />
rotor wings are changed to enhance<br />
distributive and disperse mixing. Special<br />
coating were given to rotors, ram bottom<br />
and walls to take care of wear and tear.<br />
Image: Tandem Mixer<br />
Image: L&T-Kobelco Make Internal Mixer<br />
“Mixing processes are changing<br />
from several steps of mixing to<br />
single-step; single RPM mixing<br />
to variable RPM and also to<br />
RPM down mixing.”<br />
Mixing processes are changing from several steps of<br />
mixing to single step, single RPM mixing to variable<br />
RPM and also to RPM down mixing. As the tyre<br />
technology is changing from optimised performance<br />
of each components of a tyre, the placement of such<br />
components accurately in a tyre has become a<br />
challenge. Thankfully the design technology is<br />
improved considerably in extrusion equipment. And<br />
today we have extruders which can assemble 4 to 6<br />
components in a tread and extrude as single piece. In<br />
order to avoid excessive shrinkage and distortion due<br />
to poor green strength of recent materials, the<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
recent materials, the handling method of<br />
extruded treads are improved. Similar<br />
changes are taking places in <strong>Tyre</strong> Building<br />
and Curing Equipment. Curing is moving<br />
from high temperature cures to low<br />
temperature cures to enhance performance,<br />
and mould venting system and lubrication<br />
system is making dramatic changes to<br />
enhance the much needed tyre appearance.<br />
Image: L&T Make Optima Curing Press<br />
29<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
30<br />
PW: <strong>Tyre</strong> design is a fascinating topic<br />
though few people really understand<br />
the differences in design between<br />
brands. How has the design of tyres<br />
really changed during as you witnessed<br />
it? What were the key factors driving this<br />
change?<br />
<strong>PK</strong>M: <strong>Tyre</strong> technology is an amalgamation<br />
of science and engineering. It is dominated<br />
by physics, chemistry, mechanical and<br />
chemical engineering. <strong>Tyre</strong> is a product<br />
which is a unique combination of steel and<br />
rubber. Steel is responsible to withstand all<br />
stresses experienced by the tyre and rubber<br />
is responsible for taking care of its strain.<br />
Such an intelligent sharing of stresses and<br />
strain is rarely seen in any other product<br />
other than a tyre. So it is a challenge for<br />
the tyre engineer to design a carcass of a<br />
tyre with minimal strain on material when<br />
the same is stressed by inflation, vehicle<br />
load or traction loads. This challenge<br />
further increases when it comes to the tread<br />
design. Tread is responsible not only for<br />
providing adequate traction, mileage, and<br />
water drainage but also need to cater to<br />
other performance requirement of rolling<br />
resistance and noise. It is noticed that,<br />
several new concepts such as Natural<br />
Inflated Profile (NIP) and Tension Controlled<br />
Optimized Theory (TCOT), have been tried<br />
by several companies but the tyre<br />
technologist is yet not very successful in<br />
creating a carcass which can withstand<br />
under inflated condition and provide the<br />
same performance. This still remains as a<br />
challenge. In the case of tread, several<br />
developments have taken place to enhance<br />
water drainage & traction improvement,<br />
reduction in foot print pressure & noise and<br />
improvement in aesthetics and aggressive<br />
looks. While the pattern design methodology<br />
followed by many companies generally<br />
follow same guidelines, significant<br />
deviations are seen recently to meet the new<br />
found challenges in meeting label values in<br />
RR, traction and noise. In depth<br />
understanding is required to make<br />
significant alterations in tried and tested<br />
“<strong>Tyre</strong> technology is an<br />
amalgamation of science and<br />
engineering. It is dominated by<br />
physics, chemistry, mechanical<br />
and chemical engineering. <strong>Tyre</strong><br />
is a product which is a unique<br />
combination of steel and<br />
rubber.”<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
designs to meet ever increasing performance<br />
requirements and advanced design<br />
simulation tools are of great use for the tyre<br />
designers in this process. <strong>With</strong> the usage of<br />
new materials and improvements in<br />
compound properties, tyre technologists are<br />
now trying to tune the behavior of new<br />
compounds in different designs for optimal<br />
performance in a given operating condition.<br />
“The automation in tyre<br />
industry, especially in India, is<br />
deployed selectively because<br />
the cost of automation is very<br />
high and the expertise<br />
required to make it work<br />
smoothly is also high.”<br />
PW: <strong>With</strong> automation being extensively<br />
deployed in every step of tyre production<br />
today, what are the key trends happening<br />
in tire testing aspect?<br />
<strong>PK</strong>M: In my opinion, the automation in tyre<br />
industry, especially in India, is deployed<br />
selectively because the cost of automation<br />
is very high and the expertise required to<br />
make it work smoothly is also high. It is<br />
possible to manage tyre manufacturing<br />
with the above principle. The countries<br />
where the cost of capital is very high, the<br />
value addition on manufacturing cost and<br />
labour cost is low. This principle can be<br />
employed effectively to produce good<br />
quality products with accuracy and<br />
repeatability. Several developments are<br />
taking place in the internal and external<br />
31<br />
Image: Quality Check Inside <strong>Apollo</strong> Plant<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
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Contact person: Mr. S.H. Mehta<br />
Mobile No. +91-9004697430. Email: shmehta@amcl.in Website: www.amcl.in
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
testing. Forensic analysis methods have<br />
improved considerably and reached a<br />
stage where we can pin point the failure<br />
more accurately. Reverse engineering<br />
capabilities have enhanced in terms of<br />
equipment and expertise which provides<br />
accurate information to reconstruct a<br />
formulation and also identification of<br />
material.<br />
Microscopic technique capabilities have<br />
enhanced considerably to understand the<br />
physical and chemical nature of the material<br />
and its final form. Even though all these<br />
improvements are available in India, the<br />
gap is evident very much in external testing<br />
capabilities. Developing necessary facility<br />
for external testing is highly essential for the<br />
development of tyre, provide accurate<br />
information to OEM for their development<br />
and improvement of tyre performance in<br />
the areas of handling, traction characteristic<br />
and noise level. Also these types of testing<br />
are extremely essential to generate the<br />
necessary and sufficient validation results<br />
for developing simulation methods, which<br />
will soon take a significant place in testing.<br />
PW: Manufacturers find it difficult to<br />
carry hand-in-hand “superior<br />
technology” and “low-cost” expectations<br />
in rubber and tire machinery/<br />
equipment? As a tyre producer (i.e<br />
consumer of machinery), what are your<br />
views to this dilemma?<br />
<strong>PK</strong>M: In my opinion, the tyre manufacturer<br />
is looking for high value for their<br />
investment. They are very cautious in<br />
selecting a machines because its<br />
“There is an urgent need for the<br />
tyre equipment manufacturers<br />
to work very closely with the<br />
tyre manufacturer for the<br />
development of equipment<br />
which can meet all the above<br />
requirement at a reasonable<br />
cost.”<br />
repeatability, accuracy, break down,<br />
productive & non productive time, machine<br />
mounting space, ease of maintenance and of<br />
course the price, are the critical factors<br />
which are considered prior to selecting a<br />
machine. Even though some of the<br />
manufacturers are attractive on price, they<br />
are failing in several areas I mentioned<br />
above, which may make the equipments<br />
costlier. Engineering companies are capable<br />
of designing equipment with all features<br />
needed by the tyre industry but at the same<br />
time they are lacking process knowledge<br />
which are needed for establishing the<br />
processes to produce high quality products<br />
with accuracy and repeatability. So there is<br />
an urgent need for the tyre equipment<br />
manufacturers to work very closely with<br />
the tyre manufacturer for the development<br />
of equipment which can meet all the above<br />
requirement at a reasonable cost. This may<br />
help to resolve issue raised by you. If you<br />
take any productive equipment, you may<br />
notice that the total time for the production<br />
of unit is a combination of machine and<br />
man time. There is enough scope of reducing<br />
both components of time, if adequate<br />
attention is provided. The implementation<br />
of this concept may revolutionise the<br />
process which may make both sides<br />
happier.<br />
35<br />
Know A <strong>Leader</strong> - Rubber & <strong>Tyre</strong> Machinery World | JAN 2016
| LEADER - INTERVIEW |<br />
“<strong>Tyre</strong> manufacturing processes are<br />
designed by the tyre, material and<br />
process technologists and hence the<br />
equipment and process conditions<br />
used for producing the tyre should<br />
match the process requirement of<br />
its compound, and components.”<br />
PW: Great! And one last question. What advice<br />
on “machinery selection” would you give to<br />
buyers in rubber and tyre industry?<br />
36<br />
<strong>PK</strong>M: I have expressed my views on this aspect,<br />
while answering the previous question. To<br />
elaborate a little more I wish to inform the readers<br />
of this interview that tyre manufacturing processes<br />
are designed by the tyre, material and process<br />
technologists and hence the equipment and process<br />
conditions used for producing the tyre should match<br />
the process requirement of its compound, and<br />
components. It is also essential that the same should<br />
meet the threshold limits of temperature, pressure<br />
accuracy, stresses and strain. This can only be<br />
achieved through proper understanding of process<br />
requirement.<br />
RMW<br />
P.K. <strong>Mohamed</strong>
KELACHANDRA MACHINES<br />
(MFRS. OF RUBBER INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY)<br />
Chingavanam - 686 531, Kottayam, Kerala. India.<br />
Phone Off: +91- 481-2430325. Fax: +91- 481-2430596<br />
e-mail: km1912@gmail.com
KELACHANDRA MACHINES<br />
(MFRS. OF RUBBER INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY)<br />
Chingavanam - 686 531, Kottayam, Kerala. India.<br />
Phone Off: +91- 481-2430325. Fax: +91- 481-2430596<br />
e-mail: km1912@gmail.com