Goodyear’s Polish Affiliate to Branch into UHP Tyres

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has stated that its affiliate company in Poland plans to invest more than US$100 million to expand production of high-value tyres. The investment, which will be implemented during the next four years, will be made at Goodyear’s TC Debica plant, one of the company’s lowest cost facilities. The investment is consistent with Goodyear’s current strategy of upgrading and expanding existing capacity to produce HP and UHP tyres.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to drive our growth by aligning low-cost manufacturing with high-value-added tyres,” said Goodyear Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert J. Keegan. “A continued stream of innovative new products backed by great marketing, and a lower global cost structure create tremendous opportunities for our future.”

Goodyear’s president of tyre business for Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Jarro F. Kaplan added “This major investment is another clear indication of Goodyear’s confidence in Debica’s ability to deliver the highest quality products at a competitive cost. This investment will put us in an excellent position to capitalise on the growing market for high performance tires throughout Eastern and Western Europe.”

Goodyear holds a 60 per cent ownership interest in TC Debica, Poland’s largest tyremaker, and has invested almost US$200 million to enhance Debica’s operations since first acquiring an interest in 1995.