VORONEZH, Russia—Pirelli & C. S.p.A. has upgraded its two plants in Voronezh and Kirov, Russia, the Italian tire maker has announced.
According to Pirelli, in total, more than $224 million were invested in the plants between 2012 and 2015, bringing the technology and infrastructure up to date.
“Almost as soon as Pirelli took over operational control of Kirov, together with its partner Rostec, a large-scale modernization of the plant started in December 2011,” the company said in a news release.
A few months after that, renovation began at the Voronezh plant, the company said, adding that old buildings have been rebuilt, production workshops refurbished, mixing facilities installed and Pirelli technology and processes introduced.
According to the tire maker, factory specialists from Italy, Germany and elsewhere in Europe were sent to the two sites for training.
Pirelli said the improvements have led to capacity expansion and production of premium tires.
Kirov has 2,200 employees and produces Pirelli and Amtel tires in the 13” to 16” range, also supplying several car factories in Russia.
Voronezh employs 1,023 and produces premium” passenger car tires with diameters from 16” to 21”.
In addition to supplying OEMs in Russia, Voronezh exports to Europe, Scandinavia and CIS countries.