MRF set to roll out aviation tyres

Thursday, 28 August 2008, 19:30 IST
Printer Print Email Email
Chennai: City-based tyre maker MRF is all set to roll out aviation tyres for defence aircraft, a top official said here Thursday. "MRF is the first Indian tyre manufacturer to have developed aviation tyres. The company's tyre for Chetak helicopter has got the airworthiness certificate and negotiations are on for rolling out tyres for other defence aircraft," MRF chairman and managing director K.K. Mammen told reporters here Thursday. Expressing the hope that the government would partly fund the initiative, he said the company could make aviation tyres at its Arokkonam facility near Chennai. MRF signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu government in May to set up a radial tyre plant in Perambulur district. The company will also expand its existing radial tyre plant at Arakonam. Both projects will require investments worth 9 billion ($209 million). The new plant will roll out 350,000 car and truck radial tyres in the first phase, which will be doubled in the second phase. ASked about the labour issues at its Tiruvottiyur plant in the city, he said most of the issues were settled. "If the remaining issues are not settled amicably then we may have to look for alternatives," he added.
Source: IANS