MUNICH, Germany—Goodyear has disclosed plans to invest $36 million in its factory in Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, to increase production of off-the-road tires and make process improvements.
Goodyear announced the investment during Bauma construction industry trade fair in Munich, where it's an exhibitor.
"The demand for premium OTR tires continues to grow worldwide thanks to the expansion of mining and construction operations, as well as developments in the port and industrial segments," David Anckaert, vice president of Goodyear's commercial tire business in Europe, said.
"This important investment in our operations will allow us to respond to the growing demand and to better serve the daily operations of our customers in the field with a complete portfolio of high-quality products and total mobility solutions both for trucks and off-the-road machines."
Goodyear did not quantify the impact on the plant's capacity or workforce. The plant, which opened in 1951, makes medium truck tires in addition to OTR tires.
The company is building a second plant in Luxembourg, close to the existing Colmar-Berg factory, for the production of premium passenger tires.
The new plant, which is due on stream this year, will use "additive manufacturing technologies" to produce premium tires in small-batch quantities on-demand, Goodyear said in 2017 at ground-breaking ceremonies for the factory.
The company is investing $77 million in the facility, which will produce approximately 500,000 tires annually and create approximately 70 full-time positions