Uzer Makina mulls investment proposal in Iran

Hanover, Germany –Uzer Makina is considering an investment proposal to establish a plant in Iran, according to Seyfullah Bozkurt, managing director of the Kocaeli, Turkey-based tire machinery maker.

The company has, for years, been able to supply tire manufacturing equipment into Iran, as Turkey has been one of the few countries allowed by the US and United Nations to do business there.

“During the sanctions period, we sold our presses to six or seven different customers and we have built up a good reputation in Iran,” said Bozkurt.

With the recent lifting of sanctions, Iran is now seeking partners for a number of greenfield tire projects and investments. The government also wants locally-based manufacturers to be involved in 15-25 percent of such investment projects.

“For the time being, there are not so many possibilities for local suppliers in Iran, so they are trying to build up [the presence of] suppliers in Iran who, like us, they know already," said Bozkurt. “They, therefore, want us to build a curing-press manufacturing presses in Iran.”

The Uzer Makina boss did give any views on the Iranian proposal, but said: “We will see what will happen: it is not an easy decision for us.”