Early Life
Onkar Kanwar was born in March 1942 in Sialkot, British India (present-day Pakistan). He is the eldest son of Raunaq Singh, the entrepreneur who co-founded Apollo Tyres. Following the partition of India in 1947, Kanwar's family migrated to India. They initially faced hardships before settling in Delhi.
Rise to Success
After earning degrees in science and administration from the University of California, Kanwar joined the family business in 1964. He took on a leadership role during a financially challenging period, including the 1975 Emergency in India. He has since transformed Apollo Tyres into a global company.
Key Business Strategies
Kanwar has led Apollo Tyres to become a major player in the tire industry. He has overseen the company's expansion through strategic acquisitions and global market penetration. Key moves include the acquisition of Vredestein Banden in 2009, expanding their presence in Europe. In 2013, Kanwar aimed to make Apollo a global player, with a $2.5 billion purchase of Cooper Tire & Rubber.
Philanthropy
Onkar Kanwar supports various philanthropic initiatives. Apollo Tyres has a HIV-AIDS awareness and prevention program for the trucking community. The company's CSR efforts also invest in education and skill development.