Debica Increases Truck Tyre Production 17%

In the midst of a downturn that has hit the European truck tyre segment as hard as any market in the world, Goodyear’s TC Debica S.A. has announced that it is re-starting truck tyre production by increasing output 17 per centfrom its current position. According to local news sources, the company is reducing passenger car and light-commercial tyre production by 8 per cent at the same time, with agricultural tyre output being reduced 7 per cent. Polskie Radio Rzeszow reported that the move is due to "The effect of the situation in the automotive market and reduced demand for certain products.”

According to the report, Debica has halted truck tyre production three times so far this year due to faltering demand. Earlier this year (on 26 February) the company announced it would triple commercial vehicle tyre production from 1,700 to 5,000 units a day. It is not clear where the latest increase in production puts current truck tyre output, but the figure is likely to lie between the 1,700 and 5,000 unit per day range.

Company data compiled at the end of 2008 shows that 75 per cent of production was destined for export, mainly in the major European makers. Furthermore, just under 99 per cent of out put is aimed at replacement markets with the remaining 1.1 per cent going to OE customers. Major domestic OE customers include: Fiat Auto Poland S.A. – Tychy;  F.S.O. S.A. – Warszawa; Volva Polska Sp. z o.o. – Wrocław; and Solaris Bus and Coach S.A. Bolechowo near/Poznań.