US OTR Tyre Manufacturer Unveils Ambitious Expansion Plans

Manufacturer of OTR tyres for the mining, construction and port handling industries, American Tire Corporation (ATC), has finalised the development plans for its new factory. It intends to place a total investment of US$500 million into the Washington based facility, a 130 acre site housing seven manufacturing plants, two warehouses, a distribution centre and a research and training building.

These ambitious plans were announced on February 3 and are intended to aid in the expansion of the company’s US operations and the development of a more “aggressive” growth strategy in the OTR tyre sector. According to a press release published on the PRWeb website, ATC will “build the most advanced tyre-building machines and vulcanising machines on site.” All related equipment, construction and raw materials will reportedly be procured via tender during the first half of this year. ATC is inviting tyre equipment and raw material manufacturers, along with construction companies, to submit offers before March 31.

The company, which has strong links with China, has not outlined how the project will be funded. It reports, however, that the half-billion dollar investment will be implemented by the end of 2009, and when operating at full capacity American Tire Corporation says the plant will produce 50,000 giant OTR tyres annually, including 24,000 63-inch tyres.