BKT Names Kershaw President, Announces Other Promotions

July 25, 2022

Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has named Doug Kershaw president of its BKT USA unit. Chris Rhoades has been promoted to vice president, OTR business, BKT USA. 

Kershaw joined BKT in 2018 and has played a key role in enhancing the company's distribution capabilities in the United States, while expanding BKT's presence in the agricultural, mining and construction sectors. He was promoted to head of BKT USA this past January.

Rhoades has been with BKT since 2015 and has spearheaded the firm's OTR tire-related efforts, contributing to its growth. 

Rhoades will report to Kershaw and Minoo Mehta.

In a related move, Alan Eskow, vice president of BKT Canada, has been named vice president, agri-industrial business, BKT USA. He will continue to manage the company's original equipment sales in Canada and will report to Kershaw and Mehta.

Shrikant Gadge, who has been with BKT since 2008 and has been instrumental in the company's Canadian market growth, also has been assigned additional responsibility as manager, sales and marketing, for BKT in Canada. He will report to Rajiv Poddar, joint managing director, BKT.

Mehta will continue to serve as BKT USA senior advisor and a member of BKT's managing committee. 

BKT officials say these appointments "reflect BKT's approach to leadership development and strategic planning to ensure the company has the best conditions for continued growth and success."

"Both Douglas Kershaw and Chris Rhoades are an invaluable part of BKT and have been actively expanding BKT's presence in key sectors in the U.S.A., such as construction and mining," says BKT Chairman and Managing Director Arvind Poddar.

"Alan's appointment to the U.S.A. team will accelerate our efforts in the agriculture business. Under the guidance of Minoo Mehta, I am confident that this team's leadership will continue to do an incredible job. I'm positive that Shrikant Gadge's addition to the talented Canada team will further strengthen our market.

"BKT deeply believes in 'Growing Together' and nurturing our talent," Poddar continues. "It is our DNA to anchor growth opportunities for our employees and enable them to contribute toward organizational goals to their fullest potential."