GRI breaks ground on second tyre plant

Sri Lankan industrial tyre maker Global Rubber Industries, or GRI, has laid the foundation for its new off-road tyre factory. Groundbreaking took place 4 January and marks the start of construction on a plant that will be built with an investment of US$40 million. The facility will be built adjacent to GRI’s current solid industrial tyre factory in Badalgama, Sri Lanka.

“I am proud to lay the foundation for the next phase of growth for GRI in specialty tyres,” stated GRI managing director Prabhash Subasinghe. “This factory will be designed and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, will focus on technical innovation, precision engineering and operational excellence. It will rank among the best in the world.”

The new factory will be the largest in Sri Lanka dedicated to the production of specialty tyres, and will be the first in the country to produce radial agricultural tyres. In addition to these agricultural products, the factory will manufacture pneumatic tyres for the industrial and off-road construction segments, with all production dedicated to meeting demand in export markets.

“Strategic expansion of GRI into (the) manufacturing of specialty tyres is a historic event for both the company and the Sri Lankan rubber industry,” said Ananda Caldera, executive director of GRI in charge of specialty tyre production. “GRI will strengthen the implementation of the government rubber master plan. Our new plant is expected to commence trial production by the end of 2017.”