50 Manufacturing Companies – Ceat

In general, Ceat has to consider product innovations as well as working process innovations.
“In product innovation, we have to mention our puncture-safe tyre for 2-wheeler market in India. We have developed tyres with in-built puncture sealant which doesn’t require application of sealant separately at the customer end, of course without any compromising on tyre performance,” says Becker.
The puncture-safe tyre doesn’t compromise on the rider’s safety in case of a puncture, and the vehicle can be driven without any air loss.
In terms of environment, the sealant material used is a gel and is 100% recyclable.
As an innovation in its working processes, the company uses  simulation tools to increase development efficiencies and reduce time to market. “Of course we are working with our tools in several joint projects with OEMs in India and Universities on a global basis,” he adds. This tyre simulation is a constant improving working tool that requires highly qualified people with excellent tyre technology and IT knowledge.
Speaking about the R&D hubs being set up in India, he says that the most important aspect is a growing economy, especially in the automotive sector with constant increasing vehicle demands. Having an R&D centre in a growing market is always an advantage,  which means that it will become easier to cater to the different home markets  that are increasing constantly.
It’s also easier to hire qualified people in India considering that basic graduates is available. Most of them have the basic knowhow and this is apt for R&D jobs. Moreover, manpower costs in India are lower and additional requirements by people are less compared to other parts of the world.
Working in R&D for 36 years now in different functions, from testing to development, he has always been keen on constant improvements and innovations, very often driven by big customers like OEM’s.
As an R&D head, a dream would be achieving highest technology standards in tyres. Especially tyres in the future will mainly apply to EVs and lead to new requirements in rolling resistance, noise and mileage.