R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, SEP 11
CEAT one of the leading Tyre manufacturers in India (An RPG Group of Company) on Wednesday announced the inauguration of its best in class Truck Bus Radial (TBR) production line at their existing manufacturing plant in Sriperumbudhur, on the outskirts of Chennai.
The plant was inaugurated in the presence of CEAT’s OEM partner Daimler’s AVP Shravan T as Chief Guest in the presence of Arnab Banerjee, MD & CEO, CEAT; Jayasankar Kuruppal, SVP – Manufacturing, CEAT; Kumar Subbiah, Chief Financial Officer, CEAT and Renji Issac, SVP, Research and Development, CEAT.
On the sidelines of the inauguration, CEAT Managing Director and CEO Arnab Banerjee said, the new production line will progressively reach a production capacity of 1,500 tyres daily over the next 12 months and marks a significant milestone in CEAT’s drive to expand its footprint in international markets.
Addressing the reporters, Arnab Banerjee said, “The inauguration of the Truck Bus Radial line at our export centric Chennai plant is a key step in CEAT’s global expansion strategy of offering a complete range of tyres across markets, including Europe and the US. By integrating smart technologies and connected systems, we are creating a safer, more efficient, and sustainable workplace. This investment reaffirms CEAT’s dedication to delivering innovative, world-class mobility solutions to our customers worldwide.”
The new TBR line complements CEAT’s existing production capabilities, including the manufacture of premium Passenger Car Radial (PCR) tyres and Motorcycle Radial (MCR/MCS) tyres. This expansion ensures that CEAT is well-positioned to meet the growing demands of high performance vehicles both in the domestic and international markets, all while maintaining its leadership in safety, sustainability, and digital innovation, he added.
Replying to queries, Arnab said, the CEAT will infuse additional investment of Rs. 670 crore for its expansion of TBR Line during first phase and the plant may expand production capacity to 3000 TBR tyres in the next few years and infuse another Rs 540 crore during 2nd phase of expansion.
The TBR Line expansion will create an additional direct and indirect employment opportunity. The average age of workforce is 25 year for the last 5 years, he added.
Located in Sriperumbudur and spread across 160 acres, CEAT’s Chennai plant is at the forefront of the company’s global operations. The addition of the TBR line strengthens CEAT’s standing as a hub of advanced manufacturing, underpinned by cutting-edge technology. These standards ensure the plant is equipped with connected machinery, real-time data analytics, and advanced automation, making it a true smart factory that delivers superior efficiency, safety, and quality. The Chennai plant is a model for the tyre manufacturing industry, having implemented numerous safety initiatives that prioritize employee well-being. The plant has been recognized with prestigious safety certifications, including the British Safety Council 5-Star Award and the Sword of Honour, which highlight its adherence to the highest safety standards. In addition to its focus on employee safety and digital transformation, the Chennai plant is a leader in sustainability. With a 25% green cover, 40% of the plant’s energy is sourced from renewable energy, including a 5 MW solar rooftop installation, with plans to increase this to 50% by 2025. The plant is also a zero liquid discharge facility, reflecting CEAT’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.
Jayasankar Kurruppal, Senior Vice President – Manufacturing, CEAT, emphasized the plant’s technological and safety advancements, noting, “Our Chennai plant has consistently set new benchmarks in both operational excellence and employee safety. The new TBR line exemplifies our commitment to creating a safe and smart manufacturing environment. The project has been implemented with in-house development of key equipment, proudly leveraging domestic Indian solutions, allowing us to efficiently manage both cost and timelines.”
