Apollo Tyres opens Bangkok office to serve Asean clients

This is the second such hub outside the company’s operations in India, the Netherlands and South Africa, the first being Dubai, covering the Middle East.

The Asean region is expected to become one of Apollo’s strongest export markets out of India, accounting for more than 40 per cent of export revenue. The contribution of Asean to the company’s total exports has doubled in the past three years, thanks to a sizeable distribution network in the Asean market.

Speaking at the opening of the Bangkok office, Satish Sharma, chief of Zone I for Apollo Tyres, said: “As a company we are currently in our second phase of expansion. In the last few years the demand and acceptability of our tyres has increased manifold in the Asean region. We are looking at this office to serve as a hub for an active sales and service team. Our entire range of tyres, combined with our service, will help us create a strong presence in the region’s markets.”

Apollo is well positioned to serve the 6-million-units-a-year market for commercial-vehicle replacement tyres in Asean – a segment where Apollo enjoys a lead in product technology and service. The-fastest growing segment is the 22.6 million yearly units in passenger-car tyres. 

Apollo’s global operations are divided into three divisions (Zone I, E and A) across the world. Sharma oversees Zone I, which includes India, the Middle East, Asean and the Asia-Pacific region. Zone I is Apollo Tyres’ largest revenue earner, accounting for 67 per cent of the company’s $2.5-billion turnover. 

Shubhro Ghosh, Asean head for Apollo Tyres, is responsible for operations in the region.