Vietnamese, Indian Tyremakers Sign Supply Agreement

Vietnam’s Southern Rubber Industry Joint Stock Company, who trade under the name Casumina, has signed a cooperation contract with India’s JK Tyre and Industries Ltd. to export truck tyres and tubes. Under the terms of the contract signed on June 7, Casumina will sell 180,000 truck tyres and tubes to JK Tyre and Industries for US$17million. These products will initially be sold under the JK Tyre brand name and later, following consumer feedback on quality, they will be sold as Casumina branded products. As part of the agreement JK Tyre will provide its latest technology to Casumina.

Casumina manufactures tyres and tubes for trucks, passenger cars and two-wheel vehicles, and began production of radials in 2005. At present the company claims to be experiencing annual growth of 38 per cent, with turnover reaching $14 million last year. In 2006 the company signed a contract with Continental to produce light truck and motorcycle tyres and tubes for the Asian market. These products were produced in Malaysia under the Sime Tyres label.