Continental Tyres South Africa (SA) has announced plans to invest US$9.6mn to expand and diversify its tyre manufacturing facility in Port Elizabeth
According to South Africa's Independent Online, the manufacturer's head of marketing and sales (sub-Saharan Africa), Shaun Uys, said the company would be doubling its production of speciality tyres.
The plant is expected to produce about 26 tonnes of speciality tyres a day during the first half of 2014.
Continental SA has planned to make this facility a hub for speciality tyres, particularly for the underground mining industry, such as coal, after having focussed predominantly on the platinum sector for many years. These products would be aimed at the sub-Saharan African and global markets, said Uys.
Continental SA managing director Dieter Horni said the company would increase its average investment in the region by seven times in 2014.
The manufacturer has also planned to invest in a new coal boiler for more efficient and lower costs of production at its facility in South Africa.
Continental SA said it will look at exporting tyres outside of Africa in the next five years.
