MOGILEV, 17 March (BelTA) – In January-February 2017 the Belarusian tire maker Belshina increased the amount of merchandise shipped to non-CIS states by over 30% in physical terms, representatives of the company told BelTA.
In January-February 2017 Belshina's products were exported to 20 non-CIS states. Export to Pakistan and Ethiopia soared. The company continues working hard to export more to the promising markets of Cuba, Egypt, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, countries in Eastern Europe and Baltic states.
According to Belshina representatives, in a bid to secure larger sales and making sure the manufacturing process goes on smoothly the company prioritizes signing long-term contracts with non-CIS customers. For instance, in 2016 Belshina resumed tire export to the USA, with over 300 solid-metal-cord truck tires shipped in December. Negotiations on supplying more to the USA are underway. Canada is a promising market, too. A pilot batch of tires was shipped to Canada in 2016 for trials.
In 2016 Belshina sold tires to 53 non-CIS states directly. Truck tires accounted for about 50% of the total sales. Tires for agricultural machines came second. This year the company intends to export more to conventional markets in addition to expanding the export geography. The effort will be facilitated by the launch of a new factory, which is designed to make tires for trucks with large and extremely large carrying capacities with the rim diameter of 57-63 inches. Such tires enjoy high demand abroad.
The Belarusian tire factory was founded in 1972. It was converted into the public joint-stock company (OAO) Belshina in 2002. Belshina is one of Europe's top tire makers. The company offers over 350 standard sizes and models of tires. The company trades with 63 countries. The main domestic consumers include Belarus' largest enterprises such as BelAZ, MAZ, MTZ, MZKT, Gomselmash, and Amkodor. OAO Belshina comprises a factory that makes large tires, a mass market tires factory, a giant tires factory, and a machining factory that provides the core manufacturing facilities with equipment and tools.
