Maxxis International, Kian Hon Tyres set up Asia TBR Education Centre

Maxxis International will partner its official Malaysian distributor, Kian Hon Tyres in establishing the new Maxxis Asia Education Centre for truck and bus radial tyres in Penang, Malaysia. The companies said they plan to offer leading-edge training programmes at the new centre. Maxxis said that Kian Hon was selected for this new venture because of the “remarkable performance and aggressive expansion plans for its retreading plant”. The Maxxis Asia TBR Education Centre will be housed at Kian Hon’s new building in Nibong Tebal, and feature “state-of-the-art infrastructure and first-class equipment”, Maxxis said. The collaborative effort will constitute a total investment of US$20 million and will create between 200 and 400 new jobs.

The centre will help Maxxis’ Asian members upgrade their TBR professional knowledge through regular interactive training and information on the industry’s best practices. The programmes will be conducted by specialists, engineers and trained speakers. Kian Hon will also take this opportunity to expand its Green Earth Mission, which involves streamlining its retreading operations and improving its facilities, thus providing a total business solution to its clients.

With the support of Maxxis, Kian Hon will construct a tread rubber production line and expand its retreading plant in Penang, increasing the plant’s production to 120,000 retreaded tyres annually at full capacity. Retreading plants in Indonesia and the Philippines will be set up by local Maxxis partners with the assistance of Kian Hon by 2013. Maxxis and Kian Hon said they “believe in the importance of optimising the use of raw materials, and in providing sustainable and cost-saving solutions for fleet users”.

Kian Hon says is proud to share its TBR and retread expertise and expects that this relationship will further strengthen Maxxis’ market share in Asia.