About the Author

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.

Author
Book

About the Book

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.

Chapter 1 of 32

TYRE INDUSTRY IN INDIA

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.

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FOREWORD

Written By Vijay Kelkar

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.

Vijay Kelkar

Chairman, 13th Finance Commission

Former Finance Secretary

First Read Reviews

A glimpse into the thoughts of readers who opened the first pages before anyone else.

Newslaundry Logo

"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

BW Businessworld Logo

"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

In The News

The Tribune India

Rise of the Phoenix: New Book Reveals a Rare Inside Account of One of India’s Most Dramatic Corporate Turnarounds

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The Wire

Rise of the Phoenix: New Book Reveals a Rare Inside Account of One of India’s Most Dramatic Corporate Turnarounds

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Press Trust Of India

Rise of the Phoenix: New Book Reveals a Rare Inside Account of One of India’s Most Dramatic Corporate Turnarounds

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India Today

Rise of the Phoenix: New Book Reveals a Rare Inside Account of One of India’s Most Dramatic Corporate Turnarounds

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PR Newswire

Rise of the Phoenix: New Book Reveals a Rare Inside Account of One of India’s Most Dramatic Corporate Turnarounds

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Trend Trackers

Rise of the Phoenix: New Book Reveals a Rare Inside Account of One of India’s Most Dramatic Corporate Turnarounds

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Rise of the Phoenix: New Book Reveals a Rare Inside Account of One of India’s Most Dramatic Corporate Turnarounds

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Ultimate Gujarat

Rise of the Phoenix: New Book Reveals a Rare Inside Account of One of India’s Most Dramatic Corporate Turnarounds

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Gujarat Morning Post

Rise of the Phoenix: New Book Reveals a Rare Inside Account of One of India’s Most Dramatic Corporate Turnarounds

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