Tornel leases closed Uniroyal plant in Mexico

MEXICO CITY (Nov. 27)—Independent Mexican tire maker Cia. Hulera Tornel S.A. de C.V. is leasing a Uniroyal S.A. tire plant in Tacuba, Mexico, that the Groupe Michelin subsidiary closed earlier this year. Tornel will start making light and medium truck tires there in January for Uniroyal, according to Armando Tornel Murillo, executive president. Tornel´s deal with Uniroyal includes an option to buy the 54-year-old plant, Tornel Murillo said. Tornel hopes to reach the plant´s rated capacity of 3,000 tires a day during 2001, with a labor force of 200-230 workers, Tornel Murillo said. Tornel operates tire plants in Mexico City and Tultilan. It reported sales of $94.5 million in 1999, ranking it as the world´s 56th largest tire maker.