Stamford Sport Wheels: Swift Growth in Asia

Stamford Sport Wheels (SSW) is gaining popularity as a provider of quality aluminium wheels courtesy of its TÜV certified manufacturing complex near the Thai capital Bangkok. A division of Stamford Tyres, SSW was established in 1995 and today produces more than 30,000 wheels each month, with 80 per cent of these destined for export markets.

SSW describe their facility in Thailand as ‘state-of-the-art’, and all equipment in use is fully automated and computerised, with each level of production closely monitored and controlled. All wheels are cast using the tilting gravity casting technique, complete with automatic robotic feeding which results in less air turbulence during the pouring process. This results in ensure stronger and more durable wheels with reduced porosity and fewer pinholes.

SSW are also keen to point out that all wheels are rigorously subjected to an eight-hour ‘Full Heat Treatment’ process to ensure an optimal combination of both strength and durability. Only top quality aluminium ingot (A356.2SR) imported from Australia and Bahrain is used in the production process, with the integrity of each incoming batch of aluminium ingot tested using an optical emission spectrometer.

A range of wheel sizes from13 inches right through to 26 inch applications covering the car, SUV and light truck sectors are produced by SSW, and the company pride themselves in operating their own team of in-house design engineers in addition to an outsourced American design house that provides assistance when required.

At present SSW is constructing a new manufacturing facility at a nearby location in Thailand. This plant is expected to be completed by 2008 and will facilitate a significant rise in monthly wheel production. SSW wheels are available in the UK and are distributed exclusively through the Roadhouse Group.