Sava celebrates 15 years as a Goodyear Dunlop company

On 1 July, Goodyear Dunlop Sava Tires will mark 15 years in the business. The tyre maker purchased the Slovenian firm in 1998 and says that since that time it has grown into one of the largest and most successful US-invested firms in the country. Goodyear Dunlop Sava Tires, or GDST, now employs some 1,400 people and has received over 200 million euros in investment from its parent company, including 15.5 million euros in 2012. The company says it has produced 100 million tyres since 1998.

“The company’s operations in Slovenia during the last 15 years have been marked by constant investment,” commented managing director Thierry Villard. “We have investment more than 200 million euros and today can boast of world-class facilities and tyres, as well as satisfied customers and employees.” In addition to producing the Sava brand, the Kranj-based manufacturer also manufactures Fulda, Goodyear, Dunlop and Debica tyres. 

Despite a difficult 2012, Villard described GDST’s business as “solid and satisfactory”. The operation’s sales declined year-on-year from 264.7 million euros in 2011 to 207.6 million euros in 2012, while production declined from 7.36 million tyres in 2011 to 5.52 million last year. GDST says this reflects “reduced demand for tyres in Europe compared with the previous year.” Despite these results, investment in the company increased 50 per cent year-on-year in 2012.