Kershaw to lead BKT following Mehta's retirement

COPLEY, Ohio—Tire industry veteran Doug Kershaw will lead the U.S. subsidiary of India's Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) following the retirement of current President Minoo Mehta, who's led the unit since 2014.

Kershaw, vice president of BKT USA, has been with the company since 2018 and has more than 31 years of experience in the rubber, composites, tire and track industries.

Mehta's retirement caps a 46-year tire industry career.

Kershaw "strongly contributed" to enhancing BKT products' distribution in the U.S., by adding a warehouse in Kansas City (Mo.), upgrading the U.S. headquarters and expanding the firm's presence in the construction and mining sectors, the company said.

He plans to strengthen and increase the company's awareness and positioning in the American market, the company said.

Kershaw worked for Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas and Camso Ltd. prior to joining to BKT.

Chris Rhoades, current senior product manager of technical services, has been named assistant vice president and will report directly to Kershaw.

Rhoades, who has been with the company since 2015, will lead the team dedicated to the medium and large OTR products. He recently was elected to the Tire Industry Association board of directors.

"On behalf of everyone at BKT, I would like to thank Minoo for his tremendous contribution over the course of his career with us," said Arvind Poddar, BKT Chairman and Managing Director.

"It is thanks to him that we now have strong partnerships with our channel partners, and that we could see a record growth. It was under Minoo's guidance that the U.S. team achieved these important results.

"We wish him all the best and we also congratulate Doug Kershaw and Chris Rhoades," he continued. "I have no doubts that they will both do an incredible job and that we will continue growing together, as BKT motto states."

Mehta joined BKT in 2014. During his time at the company, he worked to create a customer-oriented team that helped BKT expand its market share in the U.S. in both the agricultural and OTR sectors. Mehta also focused on brand building and enhanced the company's partnership with Monster Jam, BKT said.

Mehta will continue working with BKT as a consultant and adviser.

"I am very proud of what the BKT USA team has accomplished and humbled to be part of such a dynamic organization, with the innovative leadership of Arvind Poddar," Mehta said.

"BKT USA is on a strong growth path with exceptional quality product range and has a very bright future ahead. I am truly honored to have contributed and to continue being part of this organization."

Prior to joining BKT, Mehta worked for Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. and Om International.

In September, BKT began trial production of OTR tires at a dedicated facility in Waluj, built to replace an older plant nearby in India's Maharashtra state.