Belshina producing 18-inch SUV tyres for Geely

Belarussian tyremaker increased export market focus during 2017

Bobruisk, Belarus-based tyre manufacturer Belshina has announced that it has launched mass production of 18-inch SUV tyres. The company’s spokeswoman Viktoriya Kulik told local news source BelTA that it is making summer tyres for Geely cars produced at BelGee Factory.

According to the contract, the first batch of 225/60R18 tyres, a total of 700 items, was shipped to the company in late October. There are plans to deliver over 1000 tyres more in November. The new product will go on sale next season:

“The tread pattern of the tyre ensures stability…We, first of all, care about the safety and comfort of motorists,” she said.

Earlier Belshina said it has started supplying large tyres to Kuwait, Cameroon and Oman. Citing Belshina director general Aleksei Yakovlev, BelTA reported: “We have managed to enter new markets thanks to the company’s active policy in the diversification of exports. The first batches of tyres to these countries are small. We hope, however, to increase and expand the assortment of the export and our long-term cooperation”.

Europe a target market moving forward

The company has also resumed tyre supplies to France. In January-October 2017 tyres for agricultural equipment were sold through its distribution network in the country. It is clear that Europe is seen as a growth opportunity.

“The EU countries are a big and promising market for us. It has been gradually opening up for the company thanks to the quality of our tyres today,” Alexei Yakovlev emphasized.

In the first 10 months of 2017, the company also increased the supply of tyres to Sudan, the Philippines, and Cuba. For example, almost 80 per cent of the products shipped to Cuba are tyres for agricultural machinery. Cargo tyres place second, accounting for 14 per cent of the company’s total exports. Export of tyres also considerably increased to Sudan (quadrupling).

The Belarusian tyre factory was founded in 1972. It was converted into the public joint-stock company (OAO) Belshina in 2002. Belshina offers over 350 standard sizes and models of tyres. The company trades with over 75 countries. The main domestic consumers include Belarus’ largest enterprises such as BelAZ, MAZ, MTZ, MZKT, Gomselmash, and Amkodor.