Sumitomo Rubber considering Brazil, India tyre factories

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. is reportedly considering building tyre factories in the emerging BRIC markets of Brazil and India. Reporting on a business strategy meeting held in Tokyo on 28 April, online news sources wrote that Sumitomo’s president Ikuji Ikeda said demand for tyres is growing rapidly in both countries, so expansion into these markets has become topic of discussion at Sumitomo Rubber. Various sources have reported that Ikeda said the company intends to establish its own plants there, but “may consider forming joint ventures with local firms.”

Referring to the company’s post earthquake tyre production capacity, Ikeda said that its main factory in Fukushima prefecture has recovered to pre-quake output. Apparently the firm’s output was reduced by 1 million units due to the natural disaster.

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