CHARLES CITY, Iowa— Mitas Tires North America Inc. has instituted around-the-clock production at its farm tire factory in Charles City.
The division of Czech tire maker Mitas A.S. said the increase in manufacturing follows installation of six additional curing presses and eight tire-building machines.
The factory is running two 12-hour shifts a day, seven days a week, and each shift averages 40 hours a week. The factory now employs 179, Mitas said.
By the end of 2013, the tire maker expects to increase employment at the plant to 237, with a production capacity of 13,500 metric tons a year. The total investment will be $52 million and the full production capacity will be reached three years earlier than originally planned, the company said.