Sri Lankan company, GRI (Global Rubber Industries), have just laid the foundations for the construction of its latest specialised tire factory.
The new factory is set to open in Badalgama, Sri Lanka and will primarily focus on producing pneumatic tires for Agriculture, Industrial, Off the Road, Port Trailers and Construction vehicles. All the products manufactured are destined for the export market.
Mr Prabhash Subasinghe, Managing Director of GRI said “I am proud to lay the foundation for the next phase of growth for GRI in Specialty Tires. This factory will be designed and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. It will focus on technical innovation, precision engineering and operational excellence. We believe it will rank among the best in the world.”
GRI will invest over USD 40 million in the new factory, which will be built on 10 acres of land belonging to GRI adjacent to its current solid industrial tire factory in Badalgama, Sri Lanka.
GRI has been producing and supplying high-performance solid industrial tires to many countries worldwide and this new GRI factory will be the largest in Sri Lanka dedicated to producing specialty tires. It will also be the first in Sri Lanka to produce Radial Agriculture Tires.
“Strategic expansion of GRI into manufacturing of Specialty Tires is a historic event for both the company and the Sri Lankan Rubber Industry. 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 added Mr Ananda Caldera, Executive Director of GRI, who is now leading its efforts in Specialty Tire production.
A track record for high quality, bold initiatives and sound innovation has taken GRI tires to the forefront of the specialised tire industry. With its next-generation specialty tire factory, GRI has large ambitions to develop and grow in this billion-dollar industry.
