STARCO Huanmei, a wheel manufacturing operation in China founded in 2007 as a joint venture with Kenda, is moving to an entirely new production facility that provides the scope to greatly increase output. The new plant is located in Zhejiang Province, some three hours away from Shanghai. Following a traditional Chinese opening ceremony two weeks ago, STARCO anticipates the factory achieving full operation by mid-October.
Wheel manufacturer and solutions provider STARCO has commented on the current disruptions to global supply chains and outlined its strategy for combatting these.
STARCO’s knowledge of light transportation applications, including tyre and wheel solutions for trolleys, sack trucks and wheelbarrows, has a long history. The firm is the largest Europe-based manufacturer of puncture-proof tyres in this segment, and it is drawing upon its experience and synergies in order to cater for a growing market.
STARCO is expanding its remit as distributor of the Kenda passenger car tyre range. It took on responsibility for these products in the Swiss market three years ago, and will now begin distributing Kenda passenger car tyres in Poland.
The technical team that STARCO operates in Europe is joining together with parent company Kenda’s technical team. The aim of integrating the two teams is to leverage synergies within the firms’ global technical structure as well as drive further technological improvements. According to STARCO, it also represents a significant step in both companies’ growth plans for Europe.
STARCO has taken on distribution of the Alliance and Galaxy agricultural, forestry and construction tyre lines in Switzerland under a newly-negotiated agreement with Alliance Tire Group (ATG). As authorised partner for the representation and distribution of Alliance and Galaxy tyres throughout this market, STARCO will provide its warehouse and distribution facilities as well as its expertise and skills in order to make ATG’s products more accessible to Swiss customers.
Although STARCO retained its aftermarket presence in the UK, in 2017 it ended its activities within this sector in a number of European markets, including France. The company is now returning to this particular market through a partnership with tyre wholesaler Copadex. From the start of 2020, a selection of STARCO’s tyre range will be available and easily accessible in the French aftermarket via Copadex’s network and e-shop.
Christian de Wit will join STARCO on 1 January as sales director and head of global sales. His primary tasks in this role will be to lead and develop the company’s sales organisation, strengthen market position and grow each STARCO segment. He will report to chief executive officer Richard Todd and join the management team.
STARCO has updated its dual wheel solution to fit the new Fendt 900-series and Claas Axion 900 high-performance tractors. The dual wheel solution is tailored to fit seamlessly with the TW Profi-Grip 42- and 44-inch rims designed for high-power 300HP+ tractors.
Construction work on a project to expand STARCO’s operation in Poland officially commenced last week. STARCO says the addition of new warehouse and fitting facilities at the Mielec site, around 50 miles east of Krakow, will increase floorspace from 2,500 to 5,500 square metres. The new facilities should be operational early next year.
The Association of European Wheel Manufacturers, or EUWA, shares that STARCO has become its latest member. The EUWA officially welcomed STARCO at its 31st General Assembly, which took place in Valencia in May.
When tourists visit Croatia, they don’t come to Beli Manastir. The sleepy town of around 8,000 inhabitants is about as distant as you can get from Croatia’s bustling beach resorts and still stay within the country’s borders. But Beli Manastir’s lack of package holiday cred doesn’t matter a jot to STARCO – instead of bringing the world to Beli Manastir, it is taking Beli Manastir to the world.
A new 12-inch STARCO dual wheel solution for wheel loaders will arrive later this year. The company developed the STARCO AW Mini in close collaboration with Finnish loader manufacturer Avant Tecno, drawing upon its existing experience with other dual wheel solutions and the GS Schaad clamp system.
By taking advantage of synergies arising from its acquisition by Kenda in 2017, STARCO has introduced its UK-made Flex lite wheel solution to the US market. Kenda USA subsidiary Martin Wheel presented this European market top-seller at a trade show in Las Vegas last week. STARCO shares that interest in the 10- to 15-inch solutions amongst end-users was strong, and it looks forward to receiving feedback about Flex lite from US-based manufacturers and distributors.
Around 30 years ago, tractor manufacturer Valtra implemented a radical strategic change that resulted in the production of machinery that is amongst the most customisable in the world. Pretty much every Valtra tractor is unique, and a third of the approximately 9,000 Valtra tractors manufactured last year went through a customising studio called Unlimited. Now, for the first time, buyers can select STARCO dual wheels on their new tractor as part of this customisation process.
