Trelleborg Wheel Systems and its Indian joint venture partner have started trial production of two-wheeler tyres in a factory constructed in Bharuch, Gujarat. Trial production began in December 2021, ahead of the projected start of commercial production in the first half of 2022.
Syam Trelleborg Tires L.L.P. is a joint venture between Trelleborg and Yogesh Agencies & Investments Pvt. Ltd., with Trelleborg owning 24% and Yogesh Agencies & Investments Pvt. Ltd. owning 76%. The company will produce Mitas motorcycle and scooter tyres.
Trelleborg manufactures Mitas-brand two-wheeler tyres at its facility in Zlin, Czech Republic,. The range includes tyres for motorcycles, both on and off-road, as well as scooters and mopeds, as well as go-karts.
Paolo Pompei, President of Trelleborg Wheel Systems, said the Indian investment allows Trelleborg to “take our motorcycle tyre operations to a new level,” enhancing the product portfolio and expanding the brand globally.
Trelleborg stated that the Mitas brand has a “strong position” in this specialised market.
Yogesh Agencies, a business initiative of the Mahansaria family, who have been working in the Indian tyre industry for decades, will be in charge of Mitas two-wheeler tyre sales in India and other SAARC nations, except for Sri Lanka.
The Mahansaria family, according to Trelleborg, are “highly respected” entrepreneurs and business leaders in the tyre sector. Yogesh Mahansaria, a former CEO of Balkrishna Industries, was a key player in Warburg Pincus L.L.C.’s acquisition of Israeli tyre manufacturer Alliance Tire Co. Ltd. in 2007.