VMI to Supply Belshina with Giant Tyre Machinery

Belarusian media reports that tyre maker Belshina has signed a contract with VMI Holland for the supply of equipment to be used in the construction of giant tyres. Some 33.5 million euros has apparently already been invested for the production of mining tyres, and the company is intends to produce 21.00R35, 27.00R35, 33.00R51, 36.00R57 tyres for CIS and international customers.

Earlier in the year Belshina stated its intention to re-equip its ‘Giant Tire Plant’ for the production of large radial and crossply OTR tyres between 2011 and 2015. A company document states a projected production volume of 26.3 thousand units per annum and sales of 49.1 million euros. “The programme of technical re-equipment of the Giant Tire Plant includes upgrading and modification of the existing equipment, replacement of morally and physically obsolete equipment to increase the volume of output, expand the assortment produced, raise productivity of labour, upgrade the quality of production, and improve labour conditions,” the document reports. “Achievement of this investment project allows to raise labour productivity, to lower fuel-energy resource consuming, save and improve competitive position in the home and foreign markets, to increase export potential.”

Belshina, part of Belneftekhim (the Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry), produces a portfolio of products covering the car, truck and off-road sectors. The company manufactures more than 230 types of tyres, with more than 60 per cent of its output exported to the CIS states, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas.