The Recession is Over: SD International Expecting Turnover to Double

Unlike for many in the tyre industry, for commercial agent SD International 2009 did not lead to the much feared recession. As managing director Mike Zhang explained during the CITExpo show, last year’s company turnover was able to hold its own in comparison with 2008 levels – a feat that, in light of the global drop in demand that particularly affected tyres from China, can be considered a glowing success. For the current year the managing director of the 2002 established company is making an even more positive prediction: he expects a doubling – or more – of turnover from its own brands. European sales will be the largest driving force behind this sales increase, however Zhang adds it will also come from Oceania and South America.

The Shanghai-based firm currently has four core brands in its range. The two main brands are “Zeta” and “Pace”, which are available in passenger car and truck tyre fitments. These are complemented by the passenger car tyre brands “Maxtrek” and “Autoguard”, which both contain extensive line-ups. It is the passenger car ranges that are expected to deliver the predicted increase in sales. As Mike Zhang continues, the company is well-positioned with these four brands; the managing director says no concrete plans are in place to introduce additional brands: “We have enough brands.” It is however important for the company to be able to supply different brands for various sales channels. At the moment this is being guaranteed at full volume. The SD-International brands are manufactured in five different Chinese tyre factories.