JK Tyre seems to have an unparalleled approach when it comes to keeping customers happy as we find out from Thirukazhukundram-based Salem Mines in whose site the tyre maker’s latest free eye check-up and health camp was conducted. The mining company is delighted with its association with JK Tyre and is looking into the future with optimism and excitement, reports N. Balasubramanian
For this month’s Trucker Town feature, we drove around 70 km on the East Coast Road (ECR) that leads travellers from Chennai towards the southern coastal parts of Tamil Nadu. In a relatively quiet setting in the town of Thirukazhukundram, Salem Mines goes about performing mining operations at its 75-acre-large site where the most recent of JK Tyre’s free eye check-up and health camp was conducted. Located strategically, the Salem Mines facility at Thirukazhukundram is the nearest one to cater to requirements of two of Chennai’s most happening construction zones – Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and ECR. The company caters to the entire city of Chennai from the location, covering a radius of about 120 km.
Around 120 truck drivers who work at the site along with hundreds more from nearby locations attended the camp and made best use of the opportunity. Sharing details of his company’s operations, Balavignesh S, Executive Director, Salem Mines and Aggregates, who is part of the company’s founding family’s third generation, says: “We are into mining, crushing and supply of aggregates. We mine rock boulders from the mining areas which are converted into aggregates that are used as raw materials in the concreting industry. We have recently entered the production of manufacturing sand (M sand) since the government banned the usage of river sand two years ago. We are currently working on five bridge projects in and around Chennai and a 47-km road project.”
While Salem Mines is only six-years-old, its group companies have been in the business for close to five decades. “Our group is into construction, captive batching plants, building constructions – both government and private – and we also have retail fuel outlets. We have a total fleet strength of 138 trucks as a group that includes P S Blue Metals, Chennai Mines, Salem Mines, Triad Mines, Narayana Mines and VCS Industries,” shares Balavignesh. One of the group’s seven facilities, located at Tiruneermalai, is currently the closest mine to the city, though the Thirukazhukundram site would take over the ‘closest mine’ tag once the former’s license expires in around four years’ time.
With government estimates pointing at a market requirement of 40 lakh tonnes of sand per month in Chennai, the group has opened a new facility under the name Plaster and Concrete Sand Industries about 40 km from its Thirukazhukundram site. The new facility will be the biggest M sand manufacturing facility in the whole of India with a capacity of 700 tonnes per hour. Already catering to major parts of Bangalore through its two plants in Hosur, the company is now looking to expand into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The JK Tyre relationship
Salem Mines’ way of working is pretty straightforward – identity a reliable partner who would leave no stone unturned to take care of its requirements, remain stress-free, and carry on with business. That is why all of its trucks are from Ashok Leyland, all excavators – over 40 of them – from Komatsu, and all vehicles rolling exclusively on JK Tyre. So, how did Salem Mines and JK Tyre get into this apparently perennial bond? Recalls Balavignesh: “Before JK Tyre approached us, we were using only nylon tyres. JK Tyre came in with a different solution and recommended us to go with radials which resulted in increased tyre life and better fuel mileage. Once we started using JK radials, we saw a significant leap in fuel efficiency. From them on we have been with them and they have been helping us in every way possible. Some of our larger tip-trailers needed special type of tyres given the high density of load they carry. JK Tyre responded with aplomb by taking care of the requirement with ease.”
He continues: “JK Tyre is also very proactive when it comes to addressing any fault whether or not it’s their own or that of others. The company believes that priority should be given to first addressing the situation and ensuring that the problem is resolved; the timely manner in which they function is what makes a big difference. Also, we need not follow any hierarchy or go level by level; everyone is ready to take up responsibility and that’s what keeps our relationship going strong. JK Tyre encourages long-term relationships; whatever hurdle you throw at them they try to overcome to keep the client happy – that’s what I find different and special with them.”
Elaborating on this special relationship, V.V. Ganesh Sharma, Zonal Manager (Fleet Management) – South, JK Tyre, says: “We have been associated with Salem Mines for over four years. They accept whatever suggestions and feedback we share which is something not every customer is open to. Their knowledge on tyres is very high, so they know everything about tyres and are able to see the difference in terms of fuel efficiency and performance by opting for the right tyre models and ensuring that all the key parameters are taken care of. All the tyre dealers in the area are keen on working with them but they are happy with JK Tyre.”
Adding value
Salem Mines consumes around 2,500 tyres from JK Tyre every month. The company has fully-equipped workshops at its mining sites with its mechanics given complete tyre maintenance and repair training by its tyre supplier partner. “JK Tyre gives very good comprehensive training to our mechanics which has been very satisfactory and sufficient to take care of our tyre maintenance and repair needs. All our group companies have the same type of workshops at all locations with in-house mechanics, electricians and other skilled workers to carry out all repair tasks so that the turnaround time is fast,” shares Balavignesh.
Another aspect which Salem Mines has benefitted greatly from and readily acknowledges is the kind of progress JK Tyre has made over the years on the product side and the value-additions it constantly keeps coming up with. “Over the last 10 years, we have seen tremendous increase in tyre life, to the tune of nearly 40%, and very good improvement in performance as well. JK Tyre has an amazing research and development facility in Mysore and we are able to see the results of the work that happens there. We used to manually monitor tyre pressure everyday and now JK Tyre has come up with in-built ‘Treel’ TPMS which is a really good solution. These are value-additions that drive the market today and truly add value to customers like us,” he adds.
Sharing a personal favourite aspect pertaining to JK Tyre, Balavignesh says: “I am a big fan of the JK Tyre Chairman Dr. Raghupati Singhania, who, despite his busy schedule, takes time out to spend four days with select customers every year. Meeting us for one hour is one thing, but spending four days is something else. Those kinds of events keep us going forward because we get to meet people from different fields and also similar businesses who share our thoughts. It’s one of my personal favourites that I wouldn’t miss no matter what.” The fact that Salem Mines is delighted with its association with JK Tyre is pretty clear. So, what’s in store next? Balavignesh replies: “We plan to extend our cooperation with JK Tyre by opening a JK Truck Wheels outlet at our Tiruneermalai site.”