The Ruia group, which took over the sick and closed Dunlop India and two other tyre companies from the Chhabria group last week, is contemplating appointing consultants for helping it turnaround Dunlop.Ashok Jajodia, director of Ruia group, said: "We need to hire experts and consultants on rubber and tyre segments as also past experts on Dunlop to help the new management chart a roadmap for the turnaround."He said the group would stress on technology upgardation to match existing players in the tyre business, and also hold talks with Japan-based Sumitomo Corporation that owns the Dunlop brand across the world except India."We were apprised of the problem regarding technologicalobsolence by the previous management. This is an area that needs to be addressed immediately," Jajodia said.The Ruia group, he said, would seek more time from the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) to study the draft rehabilitation scheme prepared by the National Productivity Council, and may therefore skip the next hearing of BIFR on December 14."We will need another 15-30 days to take stock of the situation. The report has been submitted to Dunlop about a week back. We have to study and evaluate the revival scheme, and then hold discussions with the operating agency State Bank of India before appearing before the BIFR," he said.Jajodia said the group was against sale of assets, as recommended in the report, to meet the Rs 600 crore liabilities of the company.
