Sumitomo Rubber starts truck tire production in Brazil

Parana, Brazil - Sumitomo Rubber do Brasil Ltda has begun production of truck & bus tire at its manufacturing plant in Fazenda Rio Grande, Parana.

The €107-million facility started up at the beginning of March and will produce 1,000 tires a day by 2020, Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) said in a 3 April statement.

The Japanese tire maker previously imported truck & bus tires for sale in Brazil.

The new plant will ensure a more stable supply and reduce foreign exchange risks in the country, SRI noted.

Sumitomo expects the market for truck & bus tires in Brazil to grow 2-3% per year “for the foreseeable future”.

The company plans to strengthen its sales operations in Brazil as part of its overall global growth plan.

Sumitomo started its Brazilian operations in 2013 and currently manufactures 16,800 units per day of passenger car tires at the Parana factory.