Goodyear Modernising Taiwan Plant

(Akron/Tire Review) News reports say that by the end of this year Goodyear will spend NT$300 million (£4.5 million) on new production equipment for its tyre plant in Taoyuan, Taiwan. The company has been looking to boost its Asian market manufacturing as a means to reduce costs and gain a better foothold in the Asian market. The investment is expected to increase Goodyear’s Asian capacity to the point that by 2010 its Asian operations will represent 10 per cent of its entire global production.

The reports said that the project will also bring more high-tech production to the plant, giving it the capability to mix silica compounds for use in high performance tyres. The plant, which manufactures passenger car and light commercial tyres, currently exports some 60 per cent of its production, primarily to European markets.