Goodyear Dunlop Increases Truck Tyre Production

Goodyear Dunlop is to increase truck tyre production output at its Luxembourg factory to 6000 units a day. Speaking at the launch of Goodyear Max Technology at the company’s Mireval test centre in the south of France, European truck tyre operations managing director, Henry Johnson, told Tyres & Accessories that the move mean the Luxembourg plant is running at maximum capacity, up 10 per cent from its previous operating capacity. The announcement answers suggestions of a CV tyre supply and demand gap from some market analysts. Johnson played down those suggestions saying: “It won’t have a dramatic effect on business” as companies like Goodyear would adjust production allowing supply to even out.

Nevertheless, Johnson gave details of a two-phase capacity increase programme that begins with increased production at Luxembourg. This will be followed by further capacity increases after 6-9 months. A second phase of expansion is expected in 18 months time. The news follows earlier announcements that Goodyear would invest an additional $20 million in capacity increases at it Polish production plant.