Mitas OE on Russian-made Case, New Holland products

Czech tyre maker Mitas has signed a contract with CNH-Kamaz Industry LLC, the Russian manufacturer of Case IH and New Holland tractors and harvesters, to supply tyres throughout the remainder of this year and in 2013. The deal was signed at the Agrosalon agricultural show in Moscow in the presence of Czech agriculture minister Petr Bendl. “I welcome the Czech company’s pioneering of the Russian agricultural sector, which has great potential,” stated Bendl.

“Mitas’ business in the federation is growing, and Mitas is going to sustain the momentum,” added Tomáš Němec, chairman of the Board of Mitas’ parent company, CGS. If the company’s performance this year meets forecasts, Mitas will have trebled sales in Russia between 2010 and 2012. In 2011, sales to Russia amounted to two per cent of the company’s total sales, a share Mitas believes likely to grow significantly.

Deliveries of tyres to CNH Kamaz, will begin shortly. The tyres will initially be shipped to Kamaz via Italy, however next year they will be shipped directly to the CNH Kamaz facility in Tatarstan.  “The first major delivery of tyres to Russian OEMs took place in 2011,” said Jozef Rúček, Mitas’ Russia country manager. In December 2011, Rostselmash started fitting Mitas-made tyres to harvesters and Buhler Versatile tractors. Later this year, Mitas will start deliveries to John Deere in Domodedovo and Claas in Krasnodar.

“Sales of farm tyres in Russia are growing,” Rúček said. “In 2012, I expect half of the sales in Russia to come from tractor and combine tyres. There are nine certified Mitas tyre dealers in Russia, in the tyre replacement market.”