Konstrukta Supplies 2 Duplex Apex Lines to Yaroslavl Plant

Konstrukta Industry AS has signed, what it describes as “a significant contract” to supply two duplex apex extruding lines to Sibur-Russian Tyres’ Yaroslavl’s tyre production plant. The machines extrude two rubber compounds into the triangular cover that overlaps the bead. In this case the machines will be used in the production of truck tyres. The contract is being billed as the most significant of its kind in Russia this year and was reportedly gained ahead of Continental Machinery. No specific value has been attached to the contract, however the deal appears to be the fulfilment of promises to upgrade Sibur-Russian’s truck tyre product capacity reported by Tyres & Accessories more than a year ago.

The contract will be fulfilled by three cooperating producers of tyre manufacturing equipment: Vipo, a.s. Partizánske will deliver BAC (bead apex cell) equipment a part for the production of bead wire; Konstrukta will provide the duplex apex extruders and a spiral drum cooling device; while Continental Machinery Hannover will supplement the line with a bead building machine in order to connect the bead wires and apexes. The whole line will be supplemented with a manipulation robot, entirely automating the production line.

The news reinforces Konstrukta’s standing in the Russian market, a position which the company claims is “a leading role in extrusion lines supplier at the Russian market.” In February the company signed contracts for five extrusion lines to the same customer, with a price-tag of more than 11 million euros.

Konstrukta continues to market itself with participation at relevant trade shows and exhibitions. Between 19 and 21 February, the company exhibited at Tires & Rubber in Moscow. Despite the lack of attendance of companies like Sibur-Russian Tyres, Amtel and Niznekamskshina, the company reports that is was able to enter discussions and “concrete interviews” with some of the leaders in the Russian tyre manufacturing business. These were specifically with Sibur-Russian Tyres and appear to have led to the deal detailed above.

Earlier this year Konstrukta was nominated for a Tire Manufacturing and Design Innovation award, for its spiral drum cooling system, at Tire Technology Expo ’08. As a result “the technical developments are already being operated at an American customer’s company. The next four pieces will be installed in the following months,” company representatives told T&A.