Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has appointed Doug Kershaw to lead its BKT USA subsidiary, replacing Minoo Mehta, who will retire from the company on Jan. 1, following a 46-year career in the tire industry.
A 31-year veteran of the tire, rubber, composites and track industries, Kershaw - who joined BKT in 2018 and currently serves as BKT USA's vice president - "has strongly contributed to enhancing BKT products' distribution in the U.S.," according to BKT officials.
During Kershaw's tenure at BKT, the company added a distribution center in Kansas City, Mo., and has expanded its presence in the construction and mining tire segments.
Kershaw's "goals at BKT are ambitious" and include "strengthening and increasing the company's awareness and positioning in the American market."
In related news, Chris Rhoades, senior product manager, technical services, for BKT USA, has been named assistant vice president and will report directly to Kershaw.
A 22-year OTR tire business veteran, Rhoades joined BKT in 2015 and will lead the company's medium and large OTR tire team.
Mehta joined BKT in 2014 and has created "a customer-oriented team, which helped BKT expand its market share in the U.S. - in both the agricultural and OTR sectors. Brand building has been a strong focus of BKT's strategy and Mehta's assignment."
After he retires, Mehta will serve as a BKT advisor and consultant.
“On behalf of everyone at BKT, I would like to thank Minoo for his tremendous contribution over the course of his career with us,” says Mr. Arvind Poddar, the company's chairman and managing director.
“It is thanks to him that we now have strong partnerships with our channel partners and that we could see record growth. It was under Minoo’s guidance that the U.S. team achieved these important results.
"We wish him all the best and we also congratulate Doug Kershaw and Chris Rhoades. I have no doubt that they will both do an incredible job and that we will continue Growing Together, as BKT's motto states.”
“I am very proud of what the BKT USA team has accomplished and humbled to be part of such a dynamic organization, with the innovative leadership of Arvind Poddar," says Mehta.
"BKT USA is on a strong growth path with exceptional quality product range and has a very bright future ahead. I am truly honored to have contributed and to continue being part of this organization."
