Westlake – world’s fourth largest TBR producer?

Chinese tyre manufacturer Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company Limited (ZC Rubber) believes it is the world’s fourth largest producer of truck and bus tyres with a projected output of over 12 million radial tyres in 2013, while the company’s brand Westlake claims a “market-leading position in China”.

Building on this position Hangzhou Zhongce’s flagship brand is spearheading the manufacturer’s efforts to increase international sales in the TBR segment. Westlake representatives tell Tyres & Accessories that the company intends to add to its broad range of patterns and sizes in 2013, though two existing tyres are highlighted as particularly suited to driving conditions in Europe. 

Westlake’s CM993 drive axle tyre benefits from a wide tread design, which works to improve mileage, and a large block design, which improves handling and traction on a range of road surfaces. Its rubber compound is also designed to increase tread life.

The versatile CR976 front steer and trailer tyre aims to offer increased ride comfort and noise reduction via an optimised multi-pitch distribution supported by the tread sipe design. The CR976 also displays improved steering performance in both dry and wet conditions.

Westlake’s extensive truck and bus tyre range is distributed through partner, tyre solutions and retread tyres supplier Vacu-Lug in the UK.