Harigovind Palaparambath
Product Development Engineer - TBR
Kuala Lumpur
Summary
Product Development Engineer with 9 years of experience in designing and optimizing truck radial tires. Deep understanding of tire design, materials, and manufacturing processes. Expertise in improving performance, durability, and fuel efficiency. Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, managing product lifecycles, and incorporating market insights to develop innovative solutions that meet customer needs and industry standards.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
3
3
Languages
Work History
Tire Development Engineer - TBR (RnD)
Continental Tires Malaysia
05.2022 - Current
- Conducted a comprehensive feasibility study for the India Gen 3 project, leading to a 10% enhancement in product performance through innovative design and material improvements, tailored to meet the specific needs of the Indian market.
- Successfully resolved market concerns by leading a cross-functional team (CFT), resulting in a 100% reduction in market returns through targeted product improvements and proactive issue resolution.
- Played a key role in establishing the market Gemba process for R&D, enhancing the team's knowledge and understanding of the Indian market by facilitating direct, hands-on insights and collaboration with local stakeholders.
- Led the establishment of the tread compound roadmap for products in Malaysia and India, aligning material development with market-specific performance needs and ensuring the successful introduction of optimized tire solutions.
Product Development Manager-TBR (R&D)
apollo tires Global RnD Asia
03.2019 - 04.2022
- Product Development Manager for truck radial tube type tires, responsible for driving the development of key products that contribute to 90% of total TBR sales, from concept to commercialization, while optimizing tire performance, cost-efficiency, and market competitiveness.
- Played a key role in the Low Rolling Resistance (LRR) TBR tire project, leading design improvements that resulted in a 10% reduction in rolling resistance, enhancing fuel efficiency and overall performance for commercial fleets.
- Led the development and successful introduction of a super tensile belt package for truck tires in collaboration with Bekaert India, enhancing tire performance, durability, and fuel efficiency.
- Project lead in establishing uniform wear Steer and All wheel pattern tires for India hybrid application. Achieved 20% improvement product performance
- Project lead for development of mining tires for Indonesia
- CFT member for developing low weight tires for India market
- CFT member for developing tubeless trailer tire for Australia
- CFT member in establishing Cut and Chip tread cap compound for India Hybrid application
Product Development Manager-TBR (R&D)
CEAT TIRES Pvt. LTD
7 2016 - 3 2019
- Adherence to PLM software during all NPD activities
- Cost reduction through value engineering projects
- Benchmark analysis, compilation of benchmark data and formulating projects based on analysis
- Market visits and customer in sighting for capturing Key customer needs in product
- Design of new tires through Customer voice with help of QFD
- Development activities for Replacement/ OE/ Export Markets
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complaints promptly.
- Coordinating Homologation activities
- Quality improvement of existing products through QIP's
- Adherence to QBM activities in all projects
- Test tire follow up for Key projects in plant
- Key role in Deming journey for the organization
Education
Bachelor of Science - Polymer Science and Engineering
Cochin University of Science And Technology
Kochi 05.2012 - 04.2016
Skills
Project Management
Areas of technical interest
- Research and Development Activities
- Truck Bus Radial Tire Technology
- Tire Engineering
- New Product Development
- Competitor benchmarking
- Customer complaints return tyre analysis and root cause analysis
- Sales vs complaint and production vs complaint analysis
Courses and seminars
- National Conference on Material Science and Technology, IIST, 07/01/14
- National Level Crash Course on Rubber Technology, IRI-Karnataka Branch, 06/01/15
- Tyre mechanics training by Dr Saied Taheri, 01/01/18
- DOE training by Mahindra institute of quality, 04/01/18
Certification
Diploma by Indian Rubber Institute, 07/01/15
Training
- Ashok Leyland Ltd, Service-training centre, Ennore Chennai, 10/01/18, Learned different part of vehicles and its impact on tyre wear. Studied how to check the wheel alignment, different angles in axles, and how to relate tyre wear to vehicle misalignment.
- TRIZ training (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving), 09/01/18, Completed 1st level of TRIZ training, learned a range of strategies and tools for finding inventive solutions for problems.
- RADO Tyres Ltd., Kothamangalam, Kerala, Trainee, Learned the tyre manufacturing process from the primary raw material inspection to the final product inspection and packing. Conducted various raw material, compound and product testing related to tyre.
- Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam, Kerala, 12/01/14 to 01/31/15, Trainee, Gained theoretical and practical knowledge on Dry Rubber Testing, Latex Testing, Dry Rubber Product Manufacturing Processes, Latex Product Manufacturing Processes, Finished Product Testing.
Projects
Effect of Epoxy Resin with PE-b-PEG, Dr. Jyothish Kumar, Cochin University of Science and Technology, 03/01/15 to 05/31/15
Effect of fly ash in mechanical and chemical properties of Silicon rubber, IRMRA thane Mumbai, 12/01/15 to 03/31/16
Disclaimer
I certify that all the information above is correct, and references are available if they are needed., 17-Nov- 2024, Kuala Lumpur
Timeline
Tire Development Engineer - TBR (RnD)
Continental Tires Malaysia
05.2022 - Current
Product Development Manager-TBR (R&D)
apollo tires Global RnD Asia
03.2019 - 04.2022
Bachelor of Science - Polymer Science and Engineering
Cochin University of Science And Technology
05.2012 - 04.2016
Diploma by Indian Rubber Institute, 07/01/15
Product Development Manager-TBR (R&D)
CEAT TIRES Pvt. LTD
7 2016 - 3 2019
Similar Profiles
Tyrese BillupsTyrese Billups
Machine Operator at continental tiresMachine Operator at continental tires
CHRISTOPHER M. GILBERTCHRISTOPHER M. GILBERT
Government Fleet Manager at Continental Tires the AmericasGovernment Fleet Manager at Continental Tires the Americas
Joseph BrownJoseph Brown
Project Manager at Continental TiresProject Manager at Continental Tires