Our History

The Company was originally established by General Tire International Corporation (GTIC), USA, with an initial production capacity of 120,000 tyres per annum and was engaged in exporting tyres worldwide. Subsequently, Lieutenant General (R) Habibullah Khan Khattak, Chairman of the Bibojee Group of Companies, acquired the business and rebranded it as The General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Limited.

The General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Limited was incorporated under the Companies Act, VII of 1913, in Karachi on the 7th day of March, 1963.

The General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Limited commenced production in July 1964, becoming the first and largest automotive tyre manufacturer in the country. The Company specializes in the production of steel-belted tubeless radial tyres for cars, SUVs, and 4×4 vehicles.

M/s. General Tire International Corporation divested 90% of its equity holding in The General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Limited to M/s. Bibojee Services Limited, while retaining a 10% shareholding in the company.

The Company become a listed simultaneously with Karachi and Lahore stock exchanges of Pakistan.

To meet growing market demand, the Company undertook a major expansion of its existing plant, increasing its annual production capacity from 120,000 to 600,000 tyres.

Continental AG, Germany’s number one tyre manufacturer purchased 10% ownership by GTIC and starting provides Technical Assistance to the General Tyre under a program, which includes training of our people, formulations, recipe, and selection of equipment and acquiring of raw materials from approved suppliers.

In 1992, The General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Limited achieved a significant milestone by introducing the ‘Formula III’ race tyre for FAST, United Kingdom. This development marked the Company’s entry into the specialized motorsport segment, showcasing its technological expertise, innovation, and ability to meet international performance standards.”

The General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Limited made history by launching the country’s first radial tyre in 1993. This pioneering achievement not only transformed the domestic tyre industry but also set new benchmarks for quality, performance, and durability, aligning Pakistan’s automotive sector with global technological standards.

To meet growing market demand, the Company undertook a major plant expansion to enhance its annual production capacity from 600,000 to 800,000 tyres.

The General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Limited diversified its product portfolio by introducing motorcycle tyres in 2012. This strategic move allowed the Company to cater to the rapidly expanding two-wheeler segment, tapping into new market opportunities while maintaining its commitment to quality, safety, and performance.

In 2016, The General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Limited achieved a significant milestone by obtaining ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) certification and ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) certification. These recognitions reflect the Company’s commitment to sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and the highest standards of workplace health and safety.

The General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Limited enhanced its manufacturing capabilities by installing a new state-of-the-art Mother Machine Mixer Conveyor Belt System in 2017. This technological upgrade improved production efficiency, ensured consistent product quality, and reinforced the Company’s focus on adopting advanced manufacturing solutions to meet evolving market demands.

In 2018, The General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Limited expanded its product range by developing a 17-inch Passenger Car Radial (PCR) tyre. This innovation catered to the growing demand for high-performance tyres in premium vehicles, reflecting the Company’s commitment to technological advancement, product diversification, and meeting evolving customer preferences.

In 2021, the Company achieved a significant milestone by obtaining E-Mark certification for UNR-30 and UNR-54 standards, reflecting its commitment to meeting internationally recognized safety and performance benchmarks. This certification not only validates the Company’s adherence to stringent regulatory requirements but also enhances the credibility and competitiveness of its products in global markets. It underscores the Company’s focus on quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement to meet the evolving needs of domestic and international customers.

The change of name of Company from The General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Limited to Ghandhara Tyre and Rubber Company Limited on 8th day of December, 2021.

The dynamics of the market is changing and the middle class is entering the car market. They are looking for a different dynamic when it comes to purchasing the tyres. The company as a strategic move to get a major share of this new and growing market and has decided to modernize the outlook of the brand name from General Tyre to “GTR Tyre” as a parallel brand to capture the imagination of this new class of enthusiast motorists mainly youth which will find the name classy, easy to use and a certain dynamism about it. A modern name with a modern look.

In 2023, the Company successfully developed Off-The-Road (OTR) tyres, marking a strategic expansion of its product portfolio to cater to the demanding requirements of heavy-duty vehicles used in construction, mining, and industrial applications. This development demonstrates the Company’s technical expertise, innovation capabilities, and commitment to diversifying its market reach. The introduction of OTR tyres not only strengthens the Company’s position in the domestic market but also opens new opportunities in export markets, reinforcing its vision of delivering durable, high-performance products tailored to specialized industry needs.

GTR had signed a Technical Service Agreement with Shandong Huasheng Rubber Co., Ltd. (SHRC) in September 2024 for a term of seven years. This agreement aims to enhance GTR’s manufacturing processes by leveraging SHRC’s advanced technical expertise and proprietary knowledge.

GTR has entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shandong Huasheng Rubber Co., Ltd. (SHRC) in December 2024, plan to explore the possibility of setting up a joint venture company in Pakistan.