Apollo Tyres Ltd., one of India’s leading tyre manufacturers, reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable, responsible, and people-centric growth at its 52nd Annual General Meeting held recently. Addressing shareholders, Chairman Onkar Kanwar struck a candid yet forward-looking tone, acknowledging the headwinds of FY25 while outlining a bold agenda for the future.
Reflecting on the year, Kanwar remarked, “FY25 tested our belief in resilience more than once. It wasn’t the year we had envisioned, but it reminded us of the importance of staying the course with clarity, conviction, and consistency.”
Apollo Tyres closed the financial year with ₹26,123 crores in revenue — a modest 3% growth — and a net profit of ₹1,121 crores, lower than the previous year. Despite the subdued performance, the company stayed focused on its core philosophy: pursuing quality over quantity.
“We do not chase growth at any cost. We focus on the quality of growth and the values that underpin it. That’s what creates long-term value,” Kanwar stated.
A People-First Culture
A standout achievement of the year was the company’s recognition for its progressive workplace culture. Apollo Tyres was named among the Top 25 Large Manufacturing Companies to Work For in India, and received accolades from the Top Employers Institute across multiple global markets.
“These recognitions are not the goal — they are simply a reflection of something deeper,” he noted. “We’re building an environment where people feel they belong, and are empowered to grow, take risks, and innovate.”
The Chairman underscored that the company’s true differentiator lies not in its machines or technology, but in its people.
Sustainability as a Core Value
Kanwar also reinforced the company’s unwavering focus on sustainability, calling it a personal responsibility as much as a corporate priority. Apollo Tyres has set a goal to become Net Zero by 2050 and is making steady progress in that direction.
“Climate change is no longer a future scenario. It’s here. And as a company, we cannot, and will not, stay on the sidelines,” he declared.
From reducing emissions intensity and expanding renewable energy usage to driving resource efficiency, Apollo’s efforts are being recognised globally. Its Chennai plant earned the Energy Management Insight Award from the Clean Energy Ministerial, and the company received a Gold Rating from EcoVadis, placing it in the top 5% worldwide on sustainability metrics.
The Road Ahead
Kanwar closed his address with a confident outlook, emphasizing investments in digitalisation, capacity building, and talent development. Apollo is also expanding its footprint in key and emerging markets.
“The road ahead will have its share of bumps. But with resilience in our people, responsibility in our practices, and the unwavering support of stakeholders like you — I am confident we are on the right path,” he said.
In his concluding remarks, he expressed gratitude to shareholders, banking partners, governments, and Apollo’s global workforce, saying, “We may not have had a perfect year — but we have a strong foundation and, more importantly, a shared vision.”
