Furthering the Blue Dimension range a Trelleborg priority

In its latest annual report, Trelleborg Group CEO and president Peter Nilsson describes 2012 as being “a good year” for the company. “In a turbulent economic climate, we improved our geographic balance and portfolio of operations, and strengthened our market positions,” he says. “Net sales and earnings rose slightly despite an increasingly challenging market environment. The group has a strong financial base.”

The annual report was published on 19 March and is available for download here. In addition to reporting the company’s financial performance (a subject covered by tyrepress.com on 13 February), the 108-page document explores each of Trelleborg’s business units in greater detail. In regards to Trelleborg Wheel Systems, the annual report notes the ongoing trend towards larger tractors and tyres brought about by the uptake of large-scale farming, along with the rapid mechanisation of agriculture taking place in high-growth countries. On top of this, demand for tyres suited for use on materials handling vehicles (such as industrial tyres), not least in China and the US, is currently being driven by “demand for more efficient stock management and globalisation.”

Western Europe accounted for 67 per cent of the business unit’s net sales of SEK 3,865 million (£386.8 million), North America 14 per cent and the rest of the world the remaining 19 per cent. Agricultural products made up 63 per cent of Trelleborg Wheel Systems sales, and transportation systems products the rest. In terms of employees per geographic market, 34 per cent of the business unit’s total workforce last year were employed in Western Europe, six per cent in North America and the remainder in the rest of the world.

Business unit president Maurizio Vischi says future priorities for Trelleborg Wheel Systems include further developing the ‘Blue Dimension’ concept for the agricultural segment and working more closely with OEM customers to “offer products that match the increasingly stringent requirements of our customers.”