ZC Rubber outlines 2018 goals at dealer meeting

Manila, Philippines — Zhongce Rubber Group Co. Ltd. (ZC Rubber) is targeting continued sales growth in 2018 after recording 22% growth in 2017 over 2016, ZC Rubber Vice President Ge Guorong told a meeting of Philippine dealers recently.

Hangzhou, China-based ZC Rubber reported revenue of more than $3.6 billion (€3 billion) in 2017 on the sale of 32.5 million passenger and light truck tires and 17 million truck tires, company officials told a Sept. 16 gathering of more than 250 Westlake-brand dealers in Manila.

"We devote ourselves to achieve new records in 2018 on TBR and PCR together with global dealers and customers in both replacement market and OE market," Ge said.

"The products and service we supply focus on the value, safety, function and convenience for global customers."

In remarks at the conference, Ge said the company seeks to meet demand and increase market share, with consistency and customer satisfaction.

To that end, ZC Rubber said it will partner with Marketing New Century City Corp. — the Westlake brand importer in the Philippines — to help promote the Westlake brand throughout the country.

"We will work together to increase the profits from all parts of the tire value chain," Ge said.

Ge said ZC Rubber will focus on both wholesale and retail store expansion, including trends to focus on express and efficient value-added service with low cost.

At the retail level, the company will concentrate on customers' experience and choice supported by new technology, officials said.

ZC Rubber is ranked 10th globally among tire manufacturers, according to Tire Business' latest Global Top 75 rankings.

Separately, ZC Rubber announced the opening of a Westlake flagship store for truck/bus tires has opened in Manaus, Brazil, the first such store in northern Brazil.

The new store is operated by local dealer, PMZ peçase Pneus, ZC Rubber's long-term partner in Brazil.

There now are 49 Westlake-branded stores in northern Brazil, ZC Rubber said, with more in the planning stages.