Aziz Pane, head of the Association of Indonesia Tire Companies, told local newspapers that PT Intirub and PT Mega Safe Factory were the first casualties.
In 2004, PT Intirub (Indonesian Tire & Rubber Works Ltd.) ran three factories and manufactured approximately 3.5 million radial and bias tyres. Around 66% of production was described as “internationally competitive” and the management had previously described Great Britain as one of its markets. In 1995, the company established a technology cooperation with Cooper-Avon and, two years later began producing radial tyres. E-marking and ISO 9002 followed shortly afterwards.
In 1997, PT Mega Rubber held 40% of Intirub’s shares. By 1999 this had grown to 53%. At roughly the same time PT Mega Safe grew out of the cooperation with Cooper-Avon. From this point on the company produced Mega Radial brand radial tyres.
Aziz Pane revealed that illegal tyres are entering Indonesia from Singapore through Batam, Jambi, Pekanbaru, Dumai and Tanjung Balai. He explained: “It is hard to predict [the market] for 2007 because there are many uncertainties. Increase of electricity tariffs would be one of the examples,” he said.
Indonesia’s average annual production is 45 million tyres. 11.2 million units are sold on the domestic market.
