Titan International Inc. has invested $2 million to expand its plant in Des Moines, Iowa, which includes the installation of two new 104-inch curing tire presses.
Titan says the expansion is part of a multi-year strategic capital plan to increase its capacity and better serve its tire dealers, as well as end users.
The new tire presses will accommodate Titan's recent expansion of its AgraEdge tire line. They will also help the company "continue to meet demand for key large ag sizes well into the future" and provide dealers with "faster turnaround time between order placement and delivery." That will relieve dealers of the pressure to maintain high inventory levels.
"By upgrading our manufacturing facility and investing in new tire machines, we are taking the first step towards achieving our overall growth goals," said Lester Brewer, vice president of Titan's North American tire operations. "This investment has allowed us to increase our output capacity for premium tires, positioning us to better deliver on the projected additional volume needed in the marketplace."
The new tire machines also incorporate some automation which offers safety protections for Titan employees, as well quality and productivity enhancements.
"The upgraded building and two new tire presses are the culmination of several years of investment in expanding the Des Moines plant capability and producing larger radial ag tires," added Brewer. "However, this is just one more step along the line of our growth strategy. We have been telling everybody for five years that we're not done, and we will continue to grow through new products."
Titan says the expansion and improvements will allow it to introduce "multiple new product offerings" during the year.
