Economy

National tyre producers assemble in Nizhnekamsk

6 March 2010, 09:04

(Nizhnekamsk, March 5, Tatar-inform, Sergei Tolmatsky). The first solid metal cord tyres under the brand Kama will be launched on the Russian market this summer. In total, the Nizhnekamsk SMT plant in 2010 plans to manufacture 170 thousand pieces.

One of the country’s top tyre companies is performing start-up works, while the assembled products are only used for tests, held in Nizhnekamsk and in Germany by the Continental firm.

“The tests are needed, to obtain a certificate from the German company, to manufacture whole metal cord tyres” said the plant’s executive director Anvar Vakhitov. Based on the data he presented, the first certificate will in May be issued for the 315x80 R22.5 tyre. The plant intends to produce in total 11 standard sizes of solid metal cord tyres of 15 versions.

By 2011, the plant’s output is expected to add up to 1,200 thousand pieces a year, of which 200 thousand will be manufactured under the Continental brand. “We have a related agreement with the German firm. In 2011, the first lot of products, 90 to 100 thousand pieces, is planned to be made", said Anvar Vakhitov. The data was presented at a meeting of the SMT plant executives with the Kama trade house dealers.

Over 150 representatives from the Russian tyre business, as well as from the near and far abroad, have come to Nizhnekamsk, to attend the annual congress. The working visit began with a tour of the plant, during which the guests could see for themselves the size and capacity of the under-construction facility, so far unrivalled in Russia. The plant’s executive director guided the tour, answering exhaustively to dealers’ questions and showing them around the workshops.

The equipment, to be used to produce solid metal cord tyres, complies with strictest requirements and has been installed under the firm Continental’s stringent control. “This should allow us manufacture certified tyres with a meticulously developed technology. First of all, the high-quality products are planned to be supplied on the internal market, but we will naturally work on selling them abroad,” enhanced Anvar Vakhitov.

The drivers of trucks and buses that use solid metal cord tyres will in the near future be given an opportunity to repair the tyres with state-of-the-art equipment in nearly every region, as Tatneft, the plant’s investor, plans to set up service stations at its filling stations.
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