Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1) INTRODUCTION 03
2) I NDUSTRY P ROFILE 04
3) COMPANY PROFILE 05
6) MAJOR COMPANY 11
7) COMPETITORS IN INDIA 12
8) PRODUCT PROFILE 26
9) AREA OF OPERATIONS 28
INTRODUCTION
MRF Tyres was established in the year 1946 by a young entrepreneur, K. M. Mammen
Mappillai, opened a small toy balloon manufacturing unit in a shed at Thiruvottiyur, Madras
(now Chennai). On its start, the company had no machines in the unit but it just had an employee
bubbling with great enthusiasm, innovative ideas and great vision, the owner himself. Any
product that could be produced out of rubber without any machinery was produced. From toy
balloons to latex cast squeaky toys, industrial gloves, contraceptives, the list is very long. The
company name is an acronym for “MADRAS RUBBER FACTORY”. Since 1946 MRF has
emerged as the largest tyre manufacturer in India and 13 th largest in the world with a turnover of
Rs.5000 crores. It has a built capacity of six million tyres from six production facilities in India.
MRF Ltd. was incorporated towards the end of 1960 and was converted into a public limited
company in 1961. The company caters to all the vehicular segments from commercial vehicles
and passenger cars to two-three wheelers and tractors and tractors. It has its strong presence in
both the radial and cross ply segments. MRF TYRES, India's No. 1 tyre manufacturing company
manufactures an extensive range of superior quality tyres in six production facilities in India. It
boasts of 68 sales centers and 2500 distributors and exports its products to over 75 countries
worldwide - a standing testimony to MRF's outstanding leadership.
The main quality objective of the company is to “attain global standards through the continuous
improvement in the quality of products and services and also to maintain market leadership.”
STUDY DETAILS
LIMITATIONS
Time was a limiting factor during the study.
Limited number of employees who were selected for the survey of this study.
Some core data could not be collected due to confidentiality policies of the company.
INDUSTRY PROFILE
TYRE INDUSTRY
Robert W Thompson a Scottish Engineer invented the pneumatic tyre in 1845. In 1970 the first
solid rubber tyre appeared in England. Hon Dunlop, a Scottish veterinary surgeon improved on
Thompson`s invention in 1988.
Till 1960`s foreign companies dominated the tyre industry. During late 60`s and early 70`s
Indian Industrial Entrepreneurs entered the market with foreign collaborations. As automobile
sector began to take its roots in the country, the tyre industry witnessed the entry of many players
and with the waves of liberalization sweeping the land in 1922; the industry saw the same as a
part of joint ventures.
Bridgestone
Michelin
Good Year
Continental
Sumitomo
Pirelli
Yokohama
Kumho
Cooper
Toyo
Oust
S.V DEGREE COLLEGE,BIDAR Page 4
AN ORGANIZATION STUDY : MRF
Hankook
MRF
Shangai
Chinghi
Gajab Tungsad
The tyre industry in India came into existence with an established trading outfit by US based Fire
Stone Tyre and Rubber Co. in 1922 followed by Dunlop Rubber Co. of UK in 1926. Initially
they were trading companies but subsequently diversified into manufacturing sector with plants
in West Bengal by Dunlop and in Mumbai by Fire Stone in the year 1932.
This Rs.19000 crore industry fully depends on agricultural and industrial performance of the
economy, the transportation needs and the production of vehicles in the country. Indian tyre
industry is one of the largest in the world with more than 100 million motor vehicles on the
Indian roads.
MRF
Ceat
Apollo
Good Year
J K Tyres
Modi
Bridgestone
The Indian Tyre Industry produced 736 lakh units of tyres (11 lakh tonnes) garnering Rs. 19,000
crores in FY 07-08. MRF Ltd. was the market leader (22% market share) followed closely by
Apollo Tyres Ltd. (21%). The other major players were JK Tyre & Industries Ltd (18%) and
26% 22%
MRF
Apollo Tires
13% 21% J K Tires
Ceat
18% Others
Globally, the OEM segment constitutes only 30 per cent of the tyre market, exports 10 per cent
and the balance from the replacement market. In India the major demand comes from the
replacement market accounting for around 48.70 per cent. It is followed by 42.80 per cent from the
Original Equipment manufacturers (OEM) and 8.50 per cent from the exports. Retreading is looming
Cross Ply
Radial
Cross ply tyres have been used in India for several years. The cross ply trestle pooly cords run
across each other or diagonally to the outer surface of the tyre. Rayon and Nylon cords are used
as the reinforcing medium. These tyres can rethread twice during their lifetime and hence
preferred by the Indian transporters who normally overload their trucks. In India 90-95% tyre is
sold of this type.
Radial tyre have their cord running radially from bead at 90* angles to their rim or along the
outer surface of the tyre. The reinforcing mediums used in these tyres are polyester, nylon,
fiberglass and steel. Hence it provides for a longer life time and lower fuel consumption, with
better consumption, better control over vehicle and road holding.
Radial tyre usage has shown has shown significant increase in usage every year. In India almost
all automobile segments have shifted to radial tyres and the usage of cross ply is restricted to
trucks and buses only.
The Indian tyre industry is mainly dominated by the organized sector and consists of four major
players who together account for almost 85% of the industry`s turn over- MRF Ltd., Apollo
Tyres Ltd., JK Tyre &Industries Ltd. and Ceat Ltd.
Unlike the international tyre industry where passenger car radials dominate the market, in the
Indian tyre industry commercial vehicle tyres take the lead and account for approximately 70%
of the industry`s turnover. As a result, the growth of the entyre industry depends upon primary
The tyre industry is highly raw material intensive and a major consumer of rubber. With raw
material costs accounting for 70% of the cost of production, any change in the price of rubber or
the crude basket has a direct impact on the cost of production. The comparatively stable raw
material prices in the first half of FY 2007-08, coupled with price rises undertaken by the
industry in FY 2006-07, resulted in all major players reporting improved operating profit
margins. This was after a four consecutive years of raw material cost push, both for natural
rubber and crude oil linked raw material basket. The second half of FY 2007-08, saw an upward
trend for all major raw material prices and the same is anticipated in the year ahead. As a result
margins are once again under pressure, even while the demand-supply situation continues to be
in favor of the industry.
The industry, already bogged by over capacity, is facing a severe threat of dumping of cheap
tyres by South Korea. Under the Bangkok agreement, signed between India and South Korea in
1976, import of tyres from the latter into India would attract a concessional duty of 33 per cent as
against the normal tariff of 40 per cent. Two years ago, the industry estimated the growth in the
passenger car radial demand at 20 per cent per annum. However, the auto recession has hit them
badly. But South Korea made a killing by dumping cheap car radial tyres and walked away with
11 per cent of the tyre market.
Another threat to the industry is the price of its raw materials, most of which are petroleum by-
products. Carbon, synthetic rubber and nylon tyre cord are offshoots of petrochemicals. Thus, the
future of the industry will swing with the supply of crude oil.
The biggest threat, however, is yet to fully materialize. It will be from global majors like
Bridgestone and Michelin, which control 36 per cent of the global tyre market. These players
have set up their bases in Southeast Asia and the slump of the markets in this region, coupled
with the vast growth potential of the Indian market, is beckoning them towards India.
Bridgestone has tied up with ACC for a 100 per cent radial tyre unit and Michelin is also
marketing its products through retail outlets. The industry is driven more by volumes than by
margins and each of the big five in the global tyre industry Continental, Michelin, Goodyear,
COMPANY PROFILE
Just one year before the attainment of independence by our country in the year 1946, a young
entrepreneur Mr.K.M.Mammen Mappillai opened a small toy balloon manufacturing unit shed at
Thiruvottiyur, Madras (now Chennai). Over the year it started manufacturing a variety of
products.
MRF Ltd. was incorporated towards the end of 1960 and was converted into a public limited
company in 1961. Additional shares were offered to the public, in order to raise fund for
manufacturing automotive tyres and tubes in collaboration with US based Mansfield Tyre and
Rubber Co. Since then it has emerged as the largest tyre manufacturer in India and 13 th largest in
the world with a turnover of Rs.5000 crores and also built capacity of six million tyres from six
production facilities in India. With a profit margin of approximately 1.3% in the tyre
manufacturing sector, MRF holds more than 20% of the market share. The company caters to all
vehicular segments from commercial vehicles and passenger cars to 2-3 wheelers and tractors
and has a strong presence in both radial and cross ply segments. It hosts 68 sales centers, 2500
distributors and exports to over 75 countries: A standing testimony of MRF`s outstanding
leadership.
MRF enjoys of manufacturing the largest range of tyres in India and it has the highest brand
preference for superior quality, appearance and wears ability. It manufactures the largest range of
tyres in the country and is the market leader with the largest market share in almost every
segment of the tyre industry.
MRF Ltd. is the first Indian company to export tyres to the US, the very birthplace of tyre
technology. It is the first company in India to manufacture and market Nylon tyres passenger
tyres commercially. The company was given the title of most ethical company by 'Business
World' magazine after a survey conducted in 1999.
VISION
MRF TYRES Ltd. has a vision- a vision to be a significant player in the global tyre industry and
a brand of choice providing customer delight and enhanced stakeholder value. And in order to
make empower vision, they have strived to meet the needs of the customers through:
Cost efficiency
MISSION
MRF `s mission statement is as follows: “We will meet global standards of the tyre industry
that delights customers through customer service focus, empowered employees, innovative
services & Cost efficiency.
VALUES
The success or the failure of a company is by the performance of its management. Management
plays a major role in decision making. The management of MRF id led by Mr.K.M.Mammen,
son of Mr. Mammen Mappillai who started the company 62 years ago.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
S. Nandhagopal Director
V. Shridhar Director
N. Kumar Director
MAJOR BRANDS
SISTER CONCERNS
Malayala Manorama
Manorama Vision
MM Foam
Philips Coffee
Devon Machines
Plantation
COLT Computers
Ceat
Apollo
Good Year
J K Tyres
Modi
Bridgestone
PRODUCT PROFILE
COMPANY`S PRODUCTS
Automotive Tyres
Truck tyres – tube type and Tube less type
Light Truck Tyres
Special Tyres for Defense
Tyres for industrial application
Agricultural Tractor and Tilling tyres
Off the road tyres- solid tyres and earth mover tyres
Passenger tyres- bias ply and radial
Two/Three wheeler tyres
Specialized tyres for motor rallies
Funskool Toys
Funskool India Limited is a joint venture between MRF and Hasbro Inc., USA, the
world`s largest toy company. Since late 1991-1992 Funskool` s Goa plant has been
making its own moulds for a number of its products, the most popular of which are
Pipsqueaks, a range of low priced baby toys. These soft colorful animal toys have their
sound built into their internal construction, doing away with the traditional whistle that
breaks easily.
Funskool` s range of board games has catalyzed the phenomenal growth of this segment
in the Indian toy market. Games like Scotland Yard, Battleship, The Game of Life, The
Memory Game, and the recently launched Go to the Head of the Class have made
Funskool the undisputed market leader in the board games segment. The G. I. Joe series
of army action figures and vehicles, which has taken the children`s world by storm has
gone up to a collection of 30 figures and 20 vehicles. Two new toys, the racing jeep and
the Street Hawk motorcycle are based on MRF ads. The latest to the Funskool range of
toys are the WWF characters.
The MRF Conveyor Belt plant is in Arakonam, Tamil Nadu, with an annual capacity of
3000 tonnes, is the most modern belting plant in India and is dedicated to the
development or manufacture of the finest Conveyor and Elevator Belting products. The
plant integrates a high degree of polymer /textile technology with definitive standards in
process control/product testing, employing the latest in conveyor belt manufacture. MRF
Muscleflex conveyor belting brings international expertise and reliability.
MRF Pretreads
MRF Pretreads is the most advanced Pre cured Retreading system in India. MRF made a
foray in retreading as far back as 1970. Today, MRF has perfected the art of pre cured
retreading with their extensive knowledge in tyres and rubber.
In the MRF Pretreads system, the tread rubber is pre cured from MRF's factory under
carefully controlled conditions, thereby ensuring you get world class quality. Today,
MRF Pretreads has emerged as the Mileage leader in Pre cured Retreading and also has
the specialized expertise required for retreading Radial Tyres.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
A brain child of late Mr. Ravi Mammen, the birth of this foundation coincided with one
of the greatest events in Indian cricket-the hosting of ‘MRF World Series’ for the first
time in the sub-continent. This marked a significant forward step in Indian Cricket. The
MRF Pace Foundation is unique in its nature and objective. It selects nurtures and
scientifically develops the cricketing skills of youngsters. When it was started it
MRF is pioneer is a pioneer of motor racing in India. Every MRF tyre designed is a result
of a special acid test on the race and rally tracks: Sharp turns, abrupt braking, straight
stretches of streaming asphalt, excruciating conditions. MRF tyres are made to run at
speeds exceeding 150kmph, at which they are exposed to extreme conditions of heat and
land traction. The molecular stability of the rubber compounds is tested against severe
gravitational stress. Experts observe, analyze and gather information at the pits and the
dirt track, which they pass on to the R&D department. This is then reviewed and used to
develop safer, better quality tyres not only for formula racing cars that rough it but out on
the tough Indian roads every day.
MRF Powerhouse
AREA OF OPERATION
Automobile Tyre
This is the basement on which the whole superstructure of automobile rests. Here only
conventional or bias tyre of passengers, jeep, truck and farm tyres are manufactured.
Rethreading Material
Both conventional and procured tread rubber are manufactured here. While the
conventional tyre requires a longer curing time, in case of PCTR , molded tread profile is
kept on the top of the worn out tyre and pressurized, with the intermediary of steam.
Flap
This is kept in between the tubes and the tyre. This serves as a protective sheath for the
tube from external damages of the tyre and also as isolation medium, which filters the
passage of the heat from the tyre to the tube. This is generally used for the bigger tyre.
Different tyres of flap with valve block reinforcement are also being tried out.
Bladder
This is an element used for curing of tyre, which carries the internal media and is mainly
used for captive consumption.
Envelopes
These are made of chlorobuty and are used at the time of retreading tyres. This acts as an
envelope and retains the thermal input supplied to the tyre.
Vulcanizing Solution
This is an aid for vulcanization and is used for the retreading of tyre
PRODUCTION UNITS
1949
MRF established its first office at 334, Thambu Chetty Street, Chennai.
1952
The first machine (a rubber mill) was installed at the factory and MRF ventured into
manufacture of tread rubber.
1955
MRF started competing with foreign companies operating in India by becoming the only
Indian company to manufacture superior, extruded, non blooming and cushion backed
tread rubber.
1956
MRF became the market leader in tread rubber with 50% share in the Indian market.
MRF`s hold on the market was so strong that the foreign companies started withdrawing
from the tread rubber business in India.
1961
MRF became a public limited company.MRF entered into technical collaboration with
Mansfield Tyre Company of USA and a pilot plant for tyre manufacture was established
at Thiruvottiyur.
1963
Full fledged tyre plant and rubber research center was inaugurated by India`s first Prime
Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
“With the manufacture of tyres, MRF started marching ahead, capitalizing on its strengths,
overcoming its weaknesses, exploring all opportunities and converting every threat into an
opportunity for growth.”
1964
MRF started an overseas office in Beirut (Lebanon)to develop export market.
1967
MRF becomes the first Indian company to export tyres to USA which is the birth place of
tyre technology.
POLICIES OF MRF
QUALITY POLICY OF MRF
MRF has a well defined safety and health policy which is as follows:
“It is the policy of our company that the SAFETY and HEALTH of our employees shall be our
FIRST priority.
We shall observe this policy not only in letter but also in spirit and offer “ACCIDENT FREE
SAFE PRODUCTION” for the benefit of one and all.”
This policy of MRF is to ensure that products are manufactured in an environment friendly and
safe manner. To achieve this goal, all the MRF plants and the corporate office particular
attention to the following:
This policy is to provide and develop knowledge, skills and behavior of the employees to
continuously improve performance. To achieve this goal the following are paid proper attention:
Identify and document the training needs of each employee through competence
evaluation each year.
Design and publish training calendar and schedule.
Providing training periodically based on identified needs and as per the documented
schedule.
Monitor and evaluate the training process and outcomes to asses and to decide the next
training cycle requirements.
Kottayam plant was started as a small masticating unit towards the end of 1969; the first machine
was a 3A banbury (a small internal mixer) with a mixing capacity of about 66kgs per batch.
Later automotive tube production started in1971. The mixing capacity of the unit was increased
with the introduction of 11A and 11D banburys. Later, tread rubber and a host of tyre repair
materials were also produced. Kottayam became a supplier of mixed compound to other units of
MRF. Pre cured tread rubber was also added to the product range of Kottayam unit.
The commissioning of the tyre plant in 1994 was the beginning of a new era in the history of the
Kottayam unit. This marked the starting point of a massive expansion drive at Kottayam. Initially
tractor front tyres were produced and then it diversified into passenger tyres, tractor rear and
truck tyres of various sizes. Cement house was also built to prepare various cements and paints
required at tyre plant and also for the production of vulcanizing solution.
With the commissioning tyre plant, PCTR production was also increased with more PCTR
curing presses being commissioned. Flap production was started in tyre plant initially with two
presses and later increased to six. (PCTR and Flap presses were later shifted to PCTR plant when
the new plant was commissioned)
Kottayam plant supplies mixed rubber to other plants of MRF and hence with the increase in
demand, it became essential to augment the mixing capacity of the plant. A new plant
exclusively for mixing was built with huge internal mixers (banburys) which have automatic
carbon and oil charging facilities. It houses two banburys of P270 type and one banbury of F620
type. With a mixing capacity of 600 tons per day, this is one of the largest mixing units in Asia.
A BD (broken down rubber) mixing unit was also built to ensure self sufficiency in BD
production since BD mixing was earlier being done in outside mixing units. The outside mixing
units operated with open mills and hence batch to batch consistency was low. With the mixing of
BD in the banburys at the BD plant better consistency could be achieved in properties of broken
A new plant, mainly for PCTR production was commissioned in the year 2000. This plant now
houses a 6” cold feed extruder for extruding, rethreading materials and PCTR slugs, PCTR
curing presses, 48”calendar for production of tyre repair materials, 68”fabric calendar, German
tuber for flap slug extrusion, flap curing presses, tyre finishing and repair, tyre clinic, textile lab,
finished goods storage and shipping.
With the growth in the number of tyre presses and subsequent increase in the requirement of
bladders (Supplied by other units of MRF), Kottayam unit started producing bladders for its use
and also for supplying to other units. The bladder press is located in tube plant.As a new product,
solid tyre production was introduced at Kottayam in 2004. The solid tyre presses are located in
the tube plant.
Production is the primary function of MRF and hence all other functions are supporting
functions. Production is carried out in four plants in Kottayam unit. They are:
Production department ensures that all necessary instruments and equipments are calibrated
by checking the calibration sticker on the instrument. Cases where the instruments are
overdue are for calibration is overdue are reported to the instrumentation department
through AVO (Avoid Verbal Order). The supervisor stops usage of such equipments
depending on the criticality of system violation. Whenever machines stop or behave
abnormally the engineering department is informed and a maintenance request is made.
Inspection
Inspection is done to ensure that the materials, equipment, storage area are free from any
contamination.
MRF Kottayam unit produces:
9202 Tubes per day
1750 Tyres per day