GRI has added 23 SKUs to its tyre ranges for the agricultural and construction segments. The off-highway tyre specialist describes this enlargement of its portfolio as a “strategic move” that underscores its “commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its customers worldwide” as well as its “dedication to innovation and excellence in tyre manufacturing.”
Thanuja Samaranayake has joined GRI as the tyre maker’s chief operating officer, effective 1 March 2024. Introducing the new COO, GRI describes Samaranayake as an “accomplished global operations strategist and sustainability leader” who has a “proven track record of driving revenue growth, enhancing supply chain resilience, and achieving sustainability goals across diverse industries.”
GRI has debuted a non-marking cross-ply tyre for skid steer machines. The GRI XPT SS is a grey-coloured tyre with a three-step lug design that, according to the manufacturer, provides superior stability, strength, and traction.
Off-highway tyre specialist GRI has acquired Hungary-based tyre distributor ATRA Kecskemet, a company reported to hold a more than 50 per cent market share in the country’s material handling and construction tyre markets. The acquisition includes eight ATRA branches across Hungary and brings the firm’s 50-strong workforce into the GRI fold.
Eight further sizes have joined the GRI agricultural and construction tyre portfolios, with new dimensions available in the Green XLR Earth 70, Green XLR 85 and Green XLR 70 tractor radial and XPT+ Skid Steer construction ranges.
Reflecting on the year that was 2022, GRI’s Dr Mahesha Ranasoma comments that the company “made significant strides in building its GreenLeadership credentials” during the year. The chief executive officer adds that the off-highway tyre specialist “weathered the storms and the impact of the global economic downturn” during 2022, continuing to “remain resilient throughout the year.”
Amongst the new product launches at the SIMA 2022 exhibition is the GRI Green XLR Earth 65+, an agricultural tyre produced with 37.5 per cent sustainable materials. Following its debut at the Paris show between 6 and 10 November, GRI will bring the new range to market in early 2023.
Off-highway tyre specialist GRI has introduced an agricultural tyre range containing 37.5 per cent sustainable materials. The new Green XLR Earth series is made with a high percentage of recycled carbon black, soybean oil, HD silica and reclaimed rubber. GRI debuted the range at the Farm Progress Show in Iowa, USA.
Phase 2 of a US$100 million production capacity upgrade at the GRI specialty tyre factory in Sri Lanka is now complete, and GRI reports being in a position to increase capacity by almost 100 per cent from the present level, up to a daily output of 60 tonnes. This elevated capacity will satisfy the increased demand for farm tyres that GRI has enjoyed since launching agricultural ranges across key markets such as Europe, the USA and Australia in 2018.
With its currency the world’s worst-performing at present, Sri Lanka is facing an economic and political crisis. Despite these issues, GRI remains resilient and continues to supply its specialty tyres to global customers. The tyre maker has published a statement underlining its commitment to stand firm during the challenging times prevailing in the island nation.
Sri Lankan tyre maker GRI shares that it has received three awards for demonstrating excellence in business whilst contributing to the country’s economic advancement. It accepted these honours at the recent National Business Excellence Awards 2021, which was hosted by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka.
Last Friday was an important day for GRI in regards to its environmental engagements – the Sri Lankan tyre maker launched its ‘Greening Our Planet’ project by planting 450 rubber trees at smallholder rubber farms in Moneragala District.
Green has long been a byword for environmental awareness, and to ensure nobody doubts the credentials of its latest product, GRI Tires is offering the new Ultimate Green XT in this particular colour. The company says the tyre is its “most environmentally-friendly” product so far.
Locally harvested natural rubber is the key raw material that Sri Lankan tyre maker GRI Tires utilises. It thus views natural rubber farmers as important stakeholders in the ‘GRI ecosystem’. This is an ecosystem that “focuses on sustainability and aims to inspire the farming communities by recognising their work as well as providing knowledge and skills for their development and optimising the yields from their natural rubber farms.”
GRI Tires reports that the second phase expansion of its new production facility, which began in January 2021, is progressing well despite the challenges posed by the current lockdown in Sri Lanka. It is building the new and advanced specialty tyre manufacturing plant next to the current facility with a total investment of US$100 million.
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