JK Tyre Aerial Work Platform Tyres Signal India’s Push into High-Reach Equipment

JK Tyre Aerial Work Platform Tyres are reshaping how India’s infrastructure and industrial sectors approach safe work at height. As skylines expand with metro corridors and high-rise commercial hubs, demand is rising for specialised tyres that can handle elevated platforms, heavy loads, and unstable construction sites with greater reliability.
For decades, this segment was dominated by European and Chinese imports. That balance is now shifting as Indian manufacturers, led by JK Tyre and supported by peers such as MRF and Apollo Tyres, introduce locally engineered solutions designed for regional operating conditions and cost structures.
JK Tyre Aerial Work Platform Tyres backed by crane market leadership
According to Debashish Khuntia, Head of OTR Business at JK Tyre & Industries, the move into AWPs follows the company’s dominance in heavy-duty lifting equipment. JK Tyre commands nearly 70 percent of the original equipment tyre market for cranes, built through partnerships with Action Construction, Escorts, and Sany, a base it is now extending into aerial platforms.
Speaking at Excon 2025 in Bengaluru, Khuntia explained that engineering for elevated equipment focuses more on structural stiffness than speed, as even minor ground vibrations can magnify into hazardous sway when platforms operate dozens of metres above ground.
Design features supporting stability at height
To address these challenges, the Sky Grip tyre range has been developed with construction-site realities in mind, including:

• Wider centre lugs for stronger ground contact

• Extra-thick sidewalls to resist sharp steel and debris

• Compounds engineered to reduce vibration transfer

These elements help keep boom lifts and scissor platforms steady while operating in uneven, debris-filled environments.
Cost efficiency through cavity optimisation
Most AWP tyres are foam-filled to prevent punctures and maintain balance. JK Tyre has reduced internal cavity size, lowering the volume of foam needed. This design change cuts operating costs for fleet owners while also reducing downtime caused by tyre-related failures.
Expanded OTR portfolio for industrial and mining duty
Alongside JK Tyre Aerial Work Platform Tyres, the company introduced three new Off-the-Road products aimed at demanding industrial uses:

• 14.00-25 GTL PLUS for backhoe loaders, offering stability and durability in repetitive digging and loading cycles

• 23.5-25 GTL PLUS for wheel loaders, providing higher traction and longer service life on harsh surfaces

• 14.00-20 VEM AS-UG for underground mining, featuring a reinforced casing and abrasion-resistant compound for shuttle cars

These tyres are designed to handle high load cycles, abrasive materials, and extreme duty conditions typical in construction and mining.
Steady performance despite industry slowdown
While the construction equipment market contracted by about 5 percent between April and October, JK Tyre held steady or grew. This was driven by frequent new product launches and a strong aftermarket, where replacement tyre sales delivered high double-digit growth.
Major investment pipeline supporting future demand
JK Tyre has committed Rs 1,400 crore across three Indian manufacturing locations:

• Rs 1,025 crore at Banmore, Madhya Pradesh

• Rs 261 crore at Laksar, Uttarakhand

• Rs 112 crore at the Vikrant plant in Mysuru

Commercial production from these expansions is expected to start by the end of Q3 FY26, with full utilisation planned in the following financial year.
Internationally, a separate $21 million investment is being made at the JK Tornel facility in Mexico to raise Passenger Car Radial capacity by around 15 percent, scheduled to come online in the first quarter of the next financial year. Together, these moves position JK Tyre to support growing demand across construction, mining, and mobility segments.