VMI buys 49 percent of bead-making company, ART

Epe, The Netherlands - VMI and Advanced Rubber Technology, based in Oldenzaal, The Netherlands, will cooperate in the development and manufacturing of bead making and bead-apexing equipment for the tyre industry.

The cooperation is sealed with VMI buying 49 percent of the ART shares. ART will continue to be operated in Oldenzaal under the management of the founder Rob Franke. The bead making and apexing products of both VMI and ART will be sold under the brand name VMI-ART.

ART was established in 1989 and has gained wide recognition in the market with their patented and integrated bead-making and bead-apexing systems.

Both companies expect that the market will benefit from their joint efforts by accelerating in product development, improved service and the economy of scale.