TURIN, Italy (March 7, 2008) — Pirelli S.p.A. plans to develop new technologies and install them at its Settimo Torinese tire factory in Turin, with help from the city and Turin Polytechnic University.
The Italian tire maker said it will spend $190 million for the project. The new technologies will include:
— A next-generation Modular Integrated Robotized System-known as MIRS-it calls a significant evolution of the robotized process of tire manufacturing;
— The cyber tire, billed as the future "intelligent" tire with sensors that transmit information useful for driving and control of the vehicle; and
— TSM, a new process for mixing materials with high levels of quality and reliability.
Work on the facility is expected to begin in or after the second quarter of 2008, Pirelli said, and the plant will become the firm´s most advanced.
After discussions, the unions representing workers at the factory signed an agreement to facilitate the project. Pirelli said the municipality of Settimo Torinese also will be involved in creating adequate urban planning.
The project will include a training program for personnel.