TO get a foothold in the Sri Lankan market, India’s largest tyre manufacturer Apollo Tyres has tied up with Ideal Motors, the automotive distribution and marketing arm of Ideal Group. One of Sri Lanka’s fastest growing automotive majors with a focus on assembly, distribution of automotive spares and accessories, Ideal will distribute and retail Apollo’s passenger vehicle and cross-ply truck and light truck tyres. This will be gradually expanded over time to include its entire range currently sold in India, including truck, bus, radial, agriculture and off-highway tyres.
In the Middle East market, the company has selected Dubai as its hub of operations. The region has traditionally been one of Apollo’s strongest export markets out of India, accounting for about 30% of export revenues. The company already has a distribution network in the Middle East, spanning 14 countries and 23 business partners.
The Middle East also has infrastructure and tire usage very similar to India’s, which is why Apollo’s products have always enjoyed high acceptance in the region, says the company.
Now to serve the region better, it has opened its first and largest office outside its operations in India, South Africa and the Netherlands. This 2,000 sq ft office located in the JAFZA Free Economic Zone will be the company’s base in Dubai and the reporting base for employees in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Apart from an office, the company has also taken up an expandable 10,000 sq ft of warehousing space in Dubai, to stock its tyres locally. (PRA)