Toyo plans first production at Serbian plant in July

London – Toyo Tires is planning to start production at its manufacturing plant in Indjija City, Serbia in July, the tire maker has confirmed to ERJ.

Originally scheduled for operation in April, the full-scale launch of project has been slightly delayed due to “Covid-related influences”, said Toyo in a 27 June statement.

Following the initial production next month, Toyo said it aims to obtain “various certification” before ramping up to full capacity to manufacture 5 million tires per year.

Earlier this month, Toyo made a number of organisational changes across its operations in Europe to prepare for the start-up of the Serbian plant.

As part of the move, the Japanese tire maker established a European holding company to “strengthen governance” and offer subsidiaries “streamlined and improved decision-making processes.”

“The enhanced coordination between sales and production companies will lead to greater efficiencies,” Toyo told ERJ.

The changes are part of Toyo’s ongoing mid-term business plan, which targes capacity expansion to support the US market and provide local production for local consumption.