Building on a winning partnership
Namakkal in Tamil Nadu is famous for trucks and eggs. Stories abound in this small town about how entrepreneurs have risen from humble backgrounds to make it big in either the transport or poultry business. For instance, the career of Mr. R. Paraman. His decision to join hands with JK Tyre in 2012 saw his business grow from strength to strength. The JK Tyre Truck Wheels Center – Santha Tyre Services – is now considered the most preferred destination for wheel alignment in Namakkal.
Recalling his foray into the business, Mr. Paraman pointed out that he originally had a tyre retreading center earlier in his career. “I began the retreading center in 1989. Gradually I gained experience in the line and within a few years my center became very popular in and around Namakkal. Apart from tyre retreading, we also used to do tyre repairs at the center,” Mr. Paraman stated. All this experience would prove to be valuable for him subsequently.
Why the decision to join hands with JK Tyre? Replying to this question he said:” JK Tyre was already a well-known brand by the time I decided to set up my business. Moreover, since I was involved in the tyre retreading business, I also got to know some of the staff of the company. The good reputation that the brand enjoyed was another reason. Initially we started with tyre sales. Six months down the line we also added the alignment facility,” he added.
There was no looking back since then. The center services around 800 trucks every month.
According to Mr. Paraman, the JK Tyre Truck Wheels Center offered round-the-clock sales and service, a key factor in its gaining the confidence soon of the truckers in the region. The good standing and reputation he had gained in the market with his expertise in tyre retreading was also a contributory factor. In fact, the center’s reputation, particularly with respect to repair of tubeless tyres, has been such that customers come from even the neighboring cities to the center looking for solutions.
Highlighting the key reasons for the success of the center, he observed that all the technicians working in his facility were highly experienced. “Moreover, our staff work here in three 8-hour shifts, which does not result in fatigue, and they are able to concentrate fully on the task on hand.”
Mr. Paraman further disclosed that the staff would thoroughly check every detail such as tyre fitting and tyre rotation at the center during the alignment process. “I know the importance of wheel alignment. It could easily improve tyre mileage by another 20,000 to 30,000 km extra,” he remarked.
“A drive into the alignment center at regular intervals also improves the fuel efficiency of trucks. Very often, since fleet owners don’t pay enough attention to alignment, say, after every 10,000 km, the truck would guzzle more diesel. The blame in such a situation would fall on the driver, whereas the fault would lie somewhere else.”
According to Mr. Paraman, JK Tyre has been a reliable ally, providing excellent support. “We are very satisfied with the kind of service that they are providing. Officials from the company do keep visiting our facility from time to time.”
When queried on how he intends developing his business, he said that there are plans to add a car wheels alignment center in the near future. “We are already fitting car tyres. We have been fitting tyres on about 50 cars every month on an average,” he quipped. And no prizes for guessing the brand of tyres they are fitting on cars. JK Tyre of course!
