Evergreen to complete second PCR production line in 2013

Exhibiting its latest passenger car and commercial vehicle tyres from a large central booth at Reifen China, Shandong Jinyu Tire brand Evergreen's Global Sales Division representatives told Tyres & Accessories/Tyrepress.com that the company's second PCR production line is nearing its completion date in 2013 as it ramps up manufacture of the brand. The company's current PCR capacity of 13 million units will rise as the reported US$445 million total investment comes on line. By 2015, Evergreen estimates having a PCR and LTR capacity of 21 million pieces, with truck products pushing that figure to an estimated 26 million overall.

The increase in production capacity is as a “reaction to growing markets”, according to the Global Sales Division. Tyres & Accessories/Tyrepress.com enquired whether the increased capacity would be particularly relevant to any market, for example to take advantage of the recently ended Chinese tyre tariffs in the USA. The answer was that the change in the cost of exported products in the US “will not affect [Evergreen] too much”, though the size of the market means that “there is a lot of opportunity for Evergreen” there.

Meanwhile, Evergreen appeared to be taking the introduction of the European Union tyre label – the other half of what was termed the “double whammy” to Chinese tyre makers by the China Rubber Industry Association – in its stride. Representatives were able to supply a comprehensive list of Evergreen’s European products’ grades; the brand’s tyres appear to have largely achieved marks in the range EE-CE (wet grip and rolling resistance). Staff on the stand said that “communication with clients in Europe, including marketing requirements and adopting the advice of customers” continue to be “very important for the development of the brand”, including their labelling requirements.