Sailun Jinyu joins Cooper Tire in GRT joint venture

In 2016, Cooper Tire & Rubber invested some US$93 million to acquire a 65 per cent shareholding in Qingdao Ge Rui Da Rubber Co., Ltd (GRT). The remaining 35 per cent share in the China-based truck and bus radial manufacturing operation was retained by Qingdao Yiyuan Investment Co., Ltd. (QYI), however QYI is now selling its stake in the business. Sailun Jinyu Group Co., Ltd. has signed a share transfer agreement with QYI to acquire its 35 per cent interest in GRT for RMB 220 million (£24.4 million, US$32.0 million), subject to government approval.

“GRT has been a highly successful partnership for Cooper, ramping up quickly and producing high quality TBR tyres under the Roadmaster and Cooper brands for global markets,” said Brad Hughes, president and chief executive officer of Cooper Tire & Rubber. “The partnership with QYI has been a productive one, and we expect a smooth transition to our new partner, Sailun Jinyu Group. We have an existing relationship with Sailun through an offtake agreement with Sailun Vietnam’s operation in Tay Ninh to produce Roadmaster brand TBR tyres. We look forward to working with Sailun Jinyu Group to continue to meet customer needs in the growing TBR market.”

ZhongXue Yuan, president and chairman of the Qingdao-headquartered Sailun Jinyu Group, said: “We are pleased to become a partner to Cooper in the GRT joint venture and admire the work that has been done at the facility to make it operational quickly and with a focus on quality and safety. We intend to continue the great work being done at GRT and will lend our considerable tyre industry expertise to drive further success at GRT in partnership with Cooper.”