Taylor Predicts 'Record Revenue' for Titan in Second Half

Titan International reported net sales for the first half of 2013 were $1.17 billion, compared to $922.3 million in the first half of 2012, an increase of 27%. Year to date sales increased approximately 36% due to recent acquisitions, of which $303.1 million is attributed to revenue from Titan Europe. Overall sales volume remained consistent with the prior year, the tiremaker added.

Gross profit for the first six months of 2013 was $183.4 million, or 15.7% of net sales, compared to $175.4 million, or 19% of net sales in 2012. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, decreased as lower raw material costs were passed on to customers before being fully realized by the company, according to the tiremaker. Titan Europe provided gross profit of $34.3 million, or 11.3% of net sales.

Income from operations for the first half of 2013 was $84.8 million, or 7.2% of net sales, compared to $139.6 million, or 15.1% of net sales, in 2012.

"Titan continues to execute our business strategy through acquisitions and product innovation,” said Chairman and CEO Morry Taylor. “Titan is making the focused investments needed to deliver the long-term growth opportunities to the company.”

Specifically, he said the company is planning to close on the purchase of Voltyre-Prom, which is the leading producer of agricultural and industrial tires in Russia, no later than Sept. 1, 2013. “This acquisition will increase our international footprint and be Titan’s base for other acquisitions in the CIS region. The South American farm tire market is getting stronger for Titan and we look to establish wheel manufacturing in the region to complement the tire offering in the coming year. Along with these strategic moves, we continue to tighten costs across the company,” Taylor said.

"As a result of acquisitions, Titan will see record revenue in the second half of 2013,” he added. “If the markets remain as they are, Titan will continue its growth similar to the last few years. As we grow the business, there has been a learning process involved in Titan’s young management team, but they are improving each month.

"Titan’s primary business is farm tires and wheels where volume has remained strong. Titan has been building the Goodyear farm tire brand since 2006 as represented by our leading market share in North America. We believe that this American brand will allow Titan to gain greater market share in the coming years although, the construction market continues to show signs of weakness.

"There has been a negative impact on pricing in all our markets due to raw material price decreases passed along to our customers along with excess supply of product," Taylor concluded.

GRI recently conducted programs in Sri Lanka to empower women and motivate children under its Green x Circle initiative. The company said these endeavors aimed to address the needs of the community, focusing on both women empowerment and youth motivation.

GRI recently organized a training program titled "Management of household finance under current economic conditions" at the Ingiriya Rubber Collecting Center in Sri Lanka, South Asia led by Shashika Nimali, an NLP practitioner and life coach. The company said this initiative provided women in the industry with essential skills and knowledge to effectively manage household finances. GRI's tailored training sessions equipped participants with tools for informed decision-making, ultimately fostering greater financial security and independence, the company said.