Kenda Tyres

Origin and Expansion

Kenda Rubber Industrial Company is a multinational tyre manufacturing brand based in Yuanlin, Taiwan. Established in 1962, the company has been producing tyres for bicycles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, trailers and various industrial equipment. Kenda started its journey by producing tyres for bicycles in 1962. Eight years later, it ventured into manufacturing motorcycle and scooter tyres. The tyre maker launched trailer tyres in 1983 to expand its business further.

The first factory was established in Yunlin, Taiwan, in 1985, and later on, multiple manufacturing units were established in China, Indonesia, Vietnam and the USA. To expand its business across the globe, the firm made several acquisitions and partnerships. In 1992, the brand made a joint venture with the TOTAL company and then acquired Monitor Manufacturing, Martin Wheel Company and Dexstar Wheel Company in the USA within a decade. Later, to further expand its reach, it tied up with Cooper Tyre, the American subsidiary in China, at a joint investment of USD 200 million.

Continuing with the successful business model and producing high-quality products for about 40 years, Kenda introduced the passenger car radial tyres in 2001. It established its base in Europe in 2013 with the first technical centre opened in Germany in 2016, and a year later, acquired STARCO, a Denmark based tyre company, which has distribution throughout Europe. In the Indian market, the tyre maker started its journey in 2009. It currently imports tyres and supplies them to OEMs like Bajaj and Hero MotoCorp. 

In the field of technology and innovation, Kenda has developed Noise Reduction Foam Technology for high-performance tyres. The technology reduces the noise in the tyre up to 20 per cent. It has developed a dual-compound motorcycle tyre that improves mileage and adds extra grip. The firm has also invented different types of Casing Technology in tyres offering multiple times more resistance against cuts and punctures. 

The brand has been associated with MotorSports for quite a long time in terms of sponsorships and marketing. It has sponsored Giant Asia Racing Team and has been supporting various teams and athletes in the Lucas Oil Midwest Offroad League. It has supported off-road short course racing and the Championship Off-Road Series in 2020. Kenda featured in Netflix’s Hyperdrive reality TV show with professional drift car racer Fielding Shredder.

Facilities

The tyre brand has several research and development centres worldwide, including the main technical centre in Taiwan, one in Germany and the other in the USA. The R&D centres in Taiwan and the USA are currently being expanded to put more capability in place and roll out high-quality products for OEMs.

Achievements

•     EMERA A1 ultra-high-performance summer tyre wins the Taiwan Excellence Award 2018 in the categories of R&D, Quality and Design.
•     Won 2020 Taiwan Excellence award for Airless tyre
•     K-Shield tyre awarded for best puncture protection

Motorcycle and Scooter Tyre

The Taiwanese tyre maker has a solid presence in the motorcycle and scooter segment. From regular street commuters to off-roading and adventure, the vast tyre range is built from quality materials ensuring top-notch performance in the respective areas of function. 

Some of the notable products in the scooter segment include Kwick KD1, Kozmik, K329, K413, K764, K433 and K453, among others. On the other hand, the motorcycle range includes Cataclysm, Cruiser, Kruz, RetroActive, K761 Dual Sport, Big Block, Washougal II, Sand Mad, Knarly and Gauntlet, among others.

Passenger Car Tyres

Since its inception in the Indian market nearly a decade ago, Kenda has been importing and selling several high-performance products in the passenger car segment. From ultra-high-performance to passenger car and off-roading, each product has been designed focusing on solid grip and traction. Some of the notable tyre series, include Kaiser, Komet, Klever, Kenetica, Vezda, Koyote and Cab, among others.

Manufacturing facilities in India and abroad

The tyre maker has seven factories located in various parts of the world, including one in Taiwan, three in Vietnam, two in China and one in Indonesia. Out of these, only three plants produce passenger car tyres which amount to 10 million annually. In India, the tyre brand currently imports over 1.5 million tyres from its manufacturing unit in Vietnam and sell them through dedicated sales partners. 

Kenda Sales Network 

Kenda has a vast sales network worldwide in which subsidiary Starco, the Danish wheel and tyre company, plays a key role since it has an immense experience of over 55 years and a large distribution network in Europe.