In order to land more European OE truck tire contracts, Apollo Tyres is focusing on research and development. As part of this focus, the tiremaker is relocating its truck tire research to its R&D center in Enschede, Netherlands, according to Tyres & Accessories.
The R&D center in Enschede was originally intended to be a global center for passenger tire design, but Apollo executives believe the site will help the tiremaker gain more OE contracts in Europe, Tyres & Accessories reported.
The research center’s reorganization comes at the same time that Apollo is making significant investments in Hungary. That plant is scheduled to produce 5.5 million passenger tires and 675,000 truck tires annually.
Apollo is also exploring possibilities for retreading in the region. Tyres & Accessories reported that the tiremaker is poised to either partner with or buy an existing retreading supplier and its network or establish one of its own.