Apollo Tyres has launched a Digital Innovation Hub in London as part of the company’s digital strategy to implement Industry 4.0.
The Indian tire maker’s Innovation Hub will utilize a range of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to solve complex manufacturing problems and improve the efficiency, quality and sustainability of the company’s manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the new hub will partner with Glasgow University and implement an ongoing internship program for science, technology, engineering and math students under a UK government strategy.
The Hub is the result of a five-year growth plan that will see the company make significant investments in technology and cloud infrastructure. Strategic digital applications for Apollo’s Innovation Hub are being engineered and architected in the UK. Specialist companies in London are currently being consulted to help with complex application development.
Speaking before UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to India this week, during which the UK and India will discuss trade and economic partnerships, Neeraj Kanwar, vice chairman and managing director of Apollo Tyres, said, “This visit is considered very important for post-Brexit UK-India relations. Our London office is the nerve center of a US$2.5bn global organization impacting 20,000 employees worldwide. We have over 130 employees across six business enterprises, ranging from advanced manufacturing, new technologies, artificial intelligence and digital freight in the UK alone. We have invested £5m [US$6.5m] in the Digital Innovation Hub and it is expected to give a fillip to our digitalization journey and other investments in cloud and data computing.”
“Trade and investment between the UK and India are creating good jobs and sustaining livelihoods in both of our countries,” said Johnson. “I’m very pleased that Apollo Tyres has decided to join the legions of Indian companies investing in the UK, boosting our technology sector and driving economic growth.”