Pirelli to aid expansion by Russia's largest tire maker

MILAN, Italy (June 10)—Pirelli S.p.A. is providing technical support for a $60 million expansion by JSG Nizhnekamskshina—Russia's biggest tire maker—and is planning to open a commercial company in Moscow. Nizhnekamskshina plans to increase radial car tire capacity at its Nizhnekamsk factory in Tatarstan by 2 million units annually. Under a contract worth about $10 million, Pirelli will provide know-how and equipment for the project. Pirelli also will supervise production start-up, train personnel and provide continuous technical assistance to Nizhnekamskshina, the company said. The contract with Nizhnekamskshina and the planned launch of its first commercial company in Russia marks "the re-launch of relations and technological cooperation between Pirelli and the Russian industry," Pirelli said.