Udayan Dravid began his journey at Apollo Tyres in 1984 as a Senior Officer Coordination. Over the years, he operated in several roles across multiple functions and geographies, managing Commercial and Sales operations before eventually heading the Marketing Profit Centre during a period of exponential growth in the company’s turnover. He concluded his tenure at Apollo as Chief of Marketing and Organisation Development, by which time the company had firmly established itself as the dominant force in the highly competitive replacement market.
The book is a corporate memoir of Apollo Tyres. It chronicles the journey of Apollo Tyres from underdog to victor. It begins with the foundation years of Apollo Tyres. The book is not merely an account of corporate history, but a story that teaches readers the secrets of success. It shows the reader how vision and dedication can defy any herculean task.
In the current corporate world, where pay reductions and retrenchments are the knee-jerk reactions to a crisis, it is a rare tale of commitment, endurance and value-driven leadership. This book houses the journey of a company that reinvented itself without resorting to pay cuts or retrenchments, all while generating thousands of jobs and delivering exceptional returns to its lenders and investors.
India's tyre industry began with multinationals like Dunlop and Goodyear. By the 1980s, Indian players like Apollo entered a tightly controlled, cartel-driven market. Dealers ran the show, tyres were rationed, and credit was king. Over time, the industry evolved, fought off global competition, and Indian companies took the lead. But the most remarkable part is how Apollo, born from a tiny Kerala firm, rose through this complex maze to challenge giants.
In the annals of India's industrial history, few stories resonate as powerfully as the remarkable journey of Apollo Tyres. "The Apollo Tyres Story – Rise of the Phoenix" by Udayan Dravid is a compelling narrative that captures the essence of resilience, innovation, and strategic brilliance that transformed Apollo Tyres from a struggling entity into a formidable global player.
As an economist, I have witnessed the evolution of numerous industries, but the transformation of Apollo Tyres stands out as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Indian entrepreneurship. This book documents the formative years of Apollo Tyres, providing invaluable insights into the challenges faced and the strategic decisions that paved the way for its success. It is not a corporate history; it is a chronicle of how vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment can turn adversity into triumph.
Udayan Dravid's narrative is not just about business strategies; it is about the people who made those strategies come alive, the culture of innovation they fostered, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defined Apollo Tyres.
One of the compelling aspects of this story is the crucial role played by financial institutions, especially IDBI, which not only provided capital support but also demonstrated a long-term view in backing the company through moratoriums and debt restructuring. Their belief in Apollo's leadership and potential underscores a supportive financial ecosystem in enabling industrial transformation.
This book rightly honours their contributions, showing how a shared sense of purpose and empowerment can turn an organisation into a dynamic force capable of overcoming any challenge.
Equally important is the story of the people–employees, dealers, and partners–whose dedication, adaptability, and loyalty formed the bedrock of Apollo's growth. This book rightly honours their contributions, showing how a shared sense of purpose and empowerment can turn an organisation into a dynamic force capable of overcoming any challenge.
Chairman, 13th Finance Commission
Former Finance Secretary
A glimpse into the thoughts of readers who opened the first pages before anyone else.
"A compelling story simply told. An excellent book to get an insight into a range of things such as managing teams, creating products, allies and competitors and that amorphous ever-shifting 'market'. An excellent case study for anyone trying to understand the complexity of designing success."
Abhinandan Sekhri
Co-founder and CEO of Newslaundry
"India's rapid growth in the last decade has influenced the growth of Indian companies, with Apollo Tyres being a prime example. The book, 'Road of the Phoenix,' by Mr. Dravid, provides a compelling journey of building companies in challenging circumstances and transforming challenges into opportunities."
Dr. Annurag Batra
Founder Exchange4Media group and Chairman BW Businessworld Group
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