Magna Tyres Group’s Bauma 2019 exhibition was used by the Dutch company to demonstrate its fast-growing position in the OTR tyre segment. Exhibiting its products, including 18 OTR, port, industrial, and truck tyres, from a two-level stand with a 30m screen, the show was also used as the platform for the official launch of its new construction range.
When Magna Tyres Group officially commenced production at its Obo Tyres plant in Hardenberg, the Netherlands on 11 January, Obo general manager Peter Schrijver told us that high levels of efficiency, lower transport costs and lower import duties make it “very cost effective” for Magna Tyres to manufacture in Europe. He also said that Magna had placed a further order for 23-, 26- and 29-inch presses and would undertake measures to effectively double capacity. Just over half a year on, the company has completed its first expansion in Hardenberg. According to Magna Tyres, OTR tyre production capacity is almost twice what it was at the start of the year.
The concept is beautiful in its simplicity – listen to customers and respond quickly to their needs. For many companies, this is easier said than done. Not so for Magna Tyres Group. The Netherlands-based earthmover and off-highway tyre specialist maintains short decision-making paths and prides itself in its flexibility. For Michael de Ruijter, these qualities reflect the Magna Tyres culture of “doing things our own way.”
A complaint often voiced by European retreaders is that their margins have been squeezed flat by imports of new tyres, especially products from China. But while many players have redirected excess capacity to Europe in the hope of claiming market share from retreaders, one tyre company has embarked upon a different approach. Instead of shipping its entire product range halfway around the world from the Far East to Europe, Magna Tyres Group has begun making some of its tyres within our region – and has teamed up with a retreader to do so.
European manufacture of certain products in the Magna Tyres range began last week at the company’s Obo Tyres plant in the Netherlands. Tyrepress.com was there and will report on the reopening of the Obo site as well as Magna’s plans for the facility, but the headline news is that three Magna Tyres products will now be made in Holland. These are the Magna MA02 in size 29.5R25, Magna M-Terrain in size 26.5R25 and a new tyre line, the Magna AG24 in size 24R20.5.
Production of Magna tyres will soon begin in Europe. In January, the Magna Tyres Group will officially open its own facility in the Netherlands. A factory has been set up at the Hardenberg site operated by Obo Tyres, the retreader acquired by Magna Tyres Group in late 2016. The company states that from January, the Netherlands will host the manufacture certain products in the Magna range.
Magna Tyres Group has appointed Arjen Sibon as sales manager, effective from 1 July. In this position, he has taken on the responsibility for growing and improving key accounts in the European OTR tyre business.
Magna Tyres Group has appointed Nora Zhou as general manager of the new Magna Tyres Singapore office. Zhou has almost 30 years of experience within the tyre industry. Magna states that her “profound knowledge of international business, general management and specialisation in OTR (mining) tyres” make her “the perfect person to lead the Magna Tyres’ expansion in the South East Asian Tyre market.”
