Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. has opened a plant in China that will eventually produce up to five million passenger and light truck tires annually.
The factory is Kenda's third plant in China. (The Taiwan-based company also has plants in its native country, as well as Vietnam.)
Phase one of the project, which has cost $23 million thus far, will allow Kenda to manufacture 70,000 bicycle and motorcycle tires, as well as 100,000 tubes, each year.
"Phases two and three will be added later," say Kenda officials. The factory "will enable Kenda to penetrate the growing Northern Chinese market much more aggressively."
In related news, Kenda has announced it has secured an original equipment radial passenger tire fitment with Saita Group, the largest auto manufacturer in Iran.
Kenda will supply about 200,000 tires per year for Saita's Pride automobile.
