Cimcorp, a leading global supplier of turnkey automation systems using advanced robotics and software technologies, will be supplying its Dream Factory automated logistics solution for a brand new tyre production plant in Algeria.
The factory is a new venture for the Algerian consumer electronics and household appliances group, Eurl Saterex-Iris. With huge growth in sales of products marketed under its leading ‘Iris’ brand, Eurl Saterex-Iris is diversifying into tyre manufacture. The new plant is being built in Sétif, 300 km east of the capital, Algiers.
Explaining the investment, Eurl Saterex-Iris Managing Director Yacine Guidoum, said: “The area around Sétif is undergoing significant economic growth across a number of sectors, including the automotive industry. The Algerian market consumes more than 7 million tyres a year and the products currently imported are generally of poor quality. This represents a fantastic opportunity to repeat our manufacturing success in another sector. As well as producing locally-branded tyres to meet Algerian demand, we will be exporting about a third of our output to European and African markets.”
The new facility – which will be the largest tyre manufacturing plant in Africa – will be operational by Spring 2018 and production of 1 million passenger car radial (PCR) tyres is planned for the first year, followed by 2 million units of both PCR and truck and bus (TBR) tyres in the second year.
“With this being a greenfield site,” said Yacine Guidoum, “we had the opportunity to design the most efficient factory from scratch. This is why we have chosen robotic automation from Cimcorp; we wanted the best logistics technology currently available for our new plant.”
Cimcorp will supply automated handling systems based on its ‘Dream Factory’ solution for both upstream and downstream manufacturing processes at the Sétif plant. This means automated handling from the raw materials and compound warehouse to the mixing and compounding areas, as well as handling automation for green tyres from tyre building to curing, and finished tyre handling in the testing and palletising areas.
Kai Tuomisaari, Vice President, Sales for Cimcorp Oy, said the company is delighted to be helping Eurl Saterex-Iris to develop the new tyre plant in Algeria. “The company’s track record of success in fast-changing sectors demonstrates that it is very forward-looking; this vision has helped Eurl Saterex-Iris to see the many benefits that flow from investment in Cimcorp’s Dream Factory solution.”