MERTC joins CEN working group

Machinery manufacturer Mesnac reports that its Mesnac European Research and Technical Centre (MERTC) recently “achieved a significant milestone” by becoming a member of the European Committee for Standardization’s (CEN) Tyre Curing Presses working group. According to the company, this membership not only “highlights the fruitful partnership between the Chinese and Slovak teams” at MERTC but also positions the Slovakia-based operation as “a contributor to the standard-setting process.” Trevor Xu, president and general director of MERTC, comments that “instead of just following rules, we are now a part of the rule makers.”

Membership provides MERTC with the opportunity to incorporate future rule changes early on into its time-consuming design process, ensuring its tyre machinery’s compliance with European and global standards.

Infusing European DNA

Established in 2009 as the first overseas subsidiary of Qingdao, China-based Mesnac, one of the world’s largest suppliers of machinery for the tyre and rubber industries, MERTC currently employs a team of around 50 at its facility in Trenčín, Slovakia, including six specialists from China. Mesnac shares that it is “making strides in its collaboration with local talent,” and in doing so is making good on the goal of company chairman Guan Bingzheng; Xu says Guan aimed to infuse “European DNA” into the research and development process for tyre building machines and curing presses while exploring the European market.

Operating directly in Europe benefits MERTC as it can closely follow local market criteria, meet demands, and ensure clients have ready access to parts for their equipment. The company collaborates with external partners for after-sales service across various parts of Europe.

Slovakia produces 185 cars per 1,000 inhabitants annually, surpassing even industry giants like Germany and making it an attractive location for Mesnac. Xu emphasises that beyond the favourable industry environment, high levels of technical knowledge and the local work ethic were pivotal factors when selecting MERTC’s location.

Mutual learning

MERTC deputy director Stefan Kukucka, a Slovakian, highlights the effectiveness of cross-cultural cooperation with his colleagues. “We are all human beings with 80 per cent of the same features,” he states. “The rest are cultural differences, but we must cooperate, understand each other, and I think it works.”

Through training and collaboration, Mesnac says the Slovak and Chinese teams have learned from each other, contributing to continuous improvements in their machinery and final products. Kukucka remains optimistic about the European market, noting that customers regularly upgrade their machinery.