Trelleborg raising tire capacity at two European sites

Trelleborg, Sweden – Trelleborg is making a “substantial investment” at its Otrokovice tire production plant in the Czech Republic to increase utilisation rates at the facility, the company has told ERJ.

“We need higher capacity utilisation and… we are looking forward to a world-class manufacturing site with high-end production of radial agricultural tires and new production lines for OTR tires,” Trelleborg communications manager Karin Larsson told ERJ.

The ongoing project, which is to be completed in 2020, was highlighted during Trelleborg’s Capital Markets Day on 5 June, where Paolo Pompei, president of Trelleborg Wheel Systems unveiled expansion plans.

According to Pompei, the project in Otrokovice will improve processes at the plant while increasing capacity and product offerings.

This, he said, includes expanding the range of OTR tires into the earthmoving sector, which could see further capacity expansions in Asia and North America.

This is part of the integration process for Mitas, the tire-manufacturing arm of GCS Group which was acquired by Trelleborg in 2016.

Another Mitas facility currently undergoing expansion is the Ruma plant in Serbia.

The Swedish company started work on the expansion project in 2017 and according to Larsson the project is progressing according to schedule.

“Construction works on a new production hall are in their final phase and installation of new equipment has started,” she added.

The new expanded workshop, said Larsson, will be running at full speed by the end of 2018.

The Ruma facility produces agricultural tires and industrial pneumatic tires, both bias and radial.

Upon completion of the expansion project, the Ruma facility will have added more than 50% in terms of production capacity.

Trelleborg declined to disclose investment figures.