Amtel-Vredestein announced in December 2005 that it intended to sell the tire plant, which it described as a “Soviet-era facility that primarily produces truck, agricultural and ‘C’ segment tires.” The company said those products did not fit into its current strategy, and the cost to upgrade the plant was too great.
Amtel-Vredestein management said demand for its truck, agricultural and other specialized tires can be met with outsourced production, but it did not disclose its outsourcing plans.