At bauma CONEXPO India 2026, Rubber King Tyres showcased its focus on application-specific tyre solutions, including eco-friendly tyres, solid tyres and products for specialised industrial and port applications. In conversation with Kavita Parab during the exhibition, Devin Gawarvala, Entrepreneurial Founder and Director, Rubber King Tyres, discusses the company’s approach to product development, the growing acceptance of high-performance tyres made in India and its plans to expand into larger OTR and solid tyre applications.

What were the key products and technologies showcased by Rubber King at bauma CONEXPO India 2026?

We showcased technologies we have developed over the years, including our eco-friendly tyres, made with more than 75 per cent environmentally friendly materials. While their service life is somewhat lower than conventional tyres, their performance, usability, durability and endurance are comparable.

We have also developed solid tyres for boom lifts, replacing foam-filled pneumatic tyres and addressing the environmental concerns associated with foam.

What are some of the recent additions to your portfolio?

We have introduced an 18.25-4.5 port tyre, a niche size developed as an enhanced version of our IND4 Industrial 4.5, offering longer service life. Our port tyres come with a five-year warranty, while our farm tyres carry a three-year unconditional warranty and up to seven years of warranty coverage depending on the product.

How is Make in India influencing demand for your products?

There is growing acceptance of high-performance tyres manufactured in India. Initially, customers were cautious about whether such products could match imported alternatives. Over time, as they have seen our products perform, confidence has increased.

The ability to offer internationally competitive products from India is important, particularly in specialised applications where customers have traditionally depended on imports.

How do you anticipate changing equipment requirements?

We work closely with equipment manufacturers and end users to understand where the industry is heading. Our approach is to develop tyres ahead of the equipment cycle so that when new machines enter the market, a suitable tyre is already available.

For example, we developed a tyre for boom lifts before their wider introduction by Indian equipment manufacturers. We are also expanding our solid tyre portfolio into applications such as backhoe loaders and telehandlers.

What is next for Rubber King?

We are preparing to launch the 18.33, a 700kg tyre and the largest OTR tyre in our current range. We expect to unveil it at Bharat Mobility next year, along with other new products.

We also plan to move into larger OTR and solid tyre sizes. Our objective is to expand solid tyre applications beyond traditional segments such as forklifts and skid steers into construction, mining and other critical applications.