GRI Installs First Tire Endurance Tester in Sri Lanka Facility

Global Rubber Industries (GRI) has installed a state-of-the-art tire endurance tester at its new factory in Sri Lanka.

GRI says this modern piece of equipment evaluates all tires produced, with respect to their strength profile in connection with the expected level of performance. It is specialized in testing tires under heavy load conditions to evaluate the stability for driving and compliance with mandatory international regulations. The machine provides increased operational speed on the factory floor and a high level of uniformity, allowing GRI to meet customer demand without an interruption in delivery schedules, the company says.

GRI’s tire endurance tester has the capacity to assess all agriculture and OTR tires over 20 in., both at the time of industrialization and for routine checks.

In addition to this, GRI’s testing department will soon be equipped with a plunger tester, which will assess the strength of the tire carcass.

Looking to the future, GRI says it will embark on more ambitious and exponential innovation programs, with the goal of advancement and continuous improvement.

“In an ever-changing, complex and uncertain world, we rise to the challenge of providing the best tires possible.” said Prabhash Subasinghe, GRI’s managing director.

Edwin Goudswaard is now officially serving as the head of research and development at Continental Tires. He succeeds Dr. Boris Mergell who took over as head of the user experience business area at Continental Automotive, also on September 1, 2023.

Goudswaard began his career at Continental in 2006, shortly after completing his mechanical engineering studies, the company said. Following an international R&D trainee program, he worked in virtual development and product development for original equipment tires. Between 2013 and 2021, Goudswaard assumed various management roles in R&D and in the production facilities for two-wheeler and passenger car tires in Europe and Asia. In 2021, he was appointed head of the two-wheel tire business area. He was most recently responsible for Continental’s global research and development activities in the passenger car tire replacement business.