All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), founded in 1945, is the driving force of the Indian rubber sector. Glowing tribute to our progenitors, the Association has evolved into a multi-faceted organisation that represents and promotes the interests of all verticals of the Indian rubber industry on a national and international level. The AIRIA new office bearers for2021-22, unanimously elected at the Annual General Meeting on December 29, 2021, are:
- President: Dr. Sawar Dhanania of D.S. Engineers & Consultants, Kolkata,
- Sr. Vice-President: Mr. Shashi Kumar Singh of Osaka Rubber Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, and
- Vice-President: Mr. Vipan Mehta of M. B. Rubber (P) Ltd., Ghaziabad.
Who's Who:
Dr. Dhanania was the Senior Vice-President of AIRIA before being elected President. He is also the current Chairman of the Rubber Board of Kottayam under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. He eagerly pursues his scholastic interests and, at the age of 65, completed his five-year Ph.D. degree at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur in 2017. The well-known brand of Cycle Tyre and Tube "Silverline" is founded by him. He is a staunch supporter of environmental protection and has made investments in renewable energy. For Masters in Mechanical Engineering, he received a Gold Medal in the first place. He is the founder and owner of D. S. Engineers & Consultants and the Director of Mutual Technologies Pvt. Ltd., set up in 1949.
Mr. Shashi Kumar Singh is presently the Director of, Osaka Rubber Pvt. Ltd., Chunar Churk Cement Ltd. and Shree Salasar Developers Pvt. Ltd. Aside from the dynamic directorship of these organizations, his unconstrained involvement with various exercises of AIRIA is crucial. He served the Association in various capacities including Vice Chairman - Western Region, Vice President-AIRIA, Chief Convener NRC-WR 2019, Co-Convener NRC 2018, member of the core committee of India Rubber Expo- 2019 (IRE), a marquee event, socially dynamic in COVID-19 exercises embraced by the AIRIA western region in terms of fund raising and coordinating with NGO, government & semi-government, member of Rubber India publication committee. Last year, he served as Vice-President of AIRIA. Currently, he would take over as Sr. VP and work with the President to achieve the Association's goals by utilising his significant experience in project execution, equipment selection, and modernisation. His 20 years of experience in the rubber sector, as well as his production and procurement knowledge and technical expertise, enabled him to design a number of sealant compounds as import substitutes.
Mr. Vipan Mehta has previously represented AIRIA as Chairman of the Northern Region, a member of the NRC core committee, and Vice President of AIRIA. He is the Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director of M.B. Rubber Pvt. Ltd., a thriving company with a proven track record. His Company manufactures a wide variety of footwear including rubber, canvas wear, and hawai slippers. It also manufactures rain coats and school bags. Mr. Mehta is a well-known name in the rubber footwear sector, with over three decades of expertise. His ideology and vision to see the future has taken the company to new heights resulting in increased sales, above average financial risk profile, comfortable operating cycle and long term relationship with various customers and suppliers over a period of time. As Vice President of AIRIA, he is responsible for leading, guiding, directing, and evaluating decisions, as well as formulating and implementing strategic plans that provide direction to the entire team. He has been appointed Treasurer of Swami Parmanand Prakrutik Chiktsalaya Yaga Evam Anusandhan Kendra (SPPC) for his outstanding social services.