Titan to build new steel wheel factory in Turkey to meet demand
WORCESTERSHIRE-based steel wheel manufacturer Titan Europe is expanding its operation in Turkey with a new investment programme.
The Kidderminster company has purchased an industrial site and is planning to build a new purpose-built factory to capitalise on the growing demand for agricultural products in Turkey.
Titan’s presence in Turkey was first established in 2005 through a joint venture, Titan Jantsa. The group was keen to exploit new opportunities in the territory and the deal gave the group a solid base from which to manufacture its products into the Turkish market.
The operation also supplies OEM customers in Western Europe with agricultural wheels up to 38-inch diameter.
In 2011 Titan Europe bought out its joint venture partner and as a result now owns the business outright. It said Titan Jantsa had proved a highly successful addition to the group’s manufacturing capability.
“It provides a highly skilled workforce with low-cost, high-quality product from a location which also benefits from easy access to the Italian ports and hence to mainland European operations,” said Titan.
Titan Jantsa, based in Aydin manufactured over 135,000 wheels in 2011, and this production was sold to CNH, Same, Landini and CLAAS in mainland Europe and Tϋrk Traktör in Turkey.
Titan said the Turkish market for agricultural components was growing rapidly and 2011 saw tractor manufacturing increase 56%, a record high in this sector, producing in excess of 62,000 units.
“With the increasing importance of the region’s domestic demand and as a base to serve the group’s growing international customer base, the directors have chosen to expand the group’s Turkish presence and invest further in Titan Jansta,” it said.
The investment will include a new purpose-built facility at Aydin Ortaklar OSB, a newly established industrial zone where earlier this month, the group purchased 60,000sqm of land for £0.8m.
Titan said this provided a footprint to fuel future growth. New operational capabilities will now be added through a phased capital investment programme.
Mike Akers, Titan Europe chief executive said: “It has always been the intention of the board to further invest in this region and to develop our wheel manufacturing in Turkey. The group sees this region as an excellent base from which to expand its low-cost production facilities.”
