SINGAPORE—Global Rubber Industries Pvt. Ltd., the Colombo, Sri Lanka-based maker of agricultural, construction and other specialty tires, has joined the Panel of Associates of the International Rubber Study Group.
In a statement, IRSG welcomed GRI, praising its leadership in the tire industry and noting that, throughout the last 17 years, the company has expanded its manufacturing capabilities and product range by harnessing the latest technology.
"Technological innovation, engineering strength and operational excellence have powered GRI through rapid growth to become a leader in specialty tires," ISRG said.
In January 2018, GRI opened a specialty tire plant in Colombo, with capacity for agricultural tires as well as fork lift and construction tires. Within the first year of production, GRI had introduced and released 100 unique tire sizes.
In addition to being the largest tire plant in Sri Lanka, IRSG noted that GRI's Colombo plant is an example of forward-thinking sustainability practices, including the installation of rooftop solar panels. The plant also is certified ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, and recently was accredited with the ISO 50001 Energy Management certification.
"This plant is a testament to the pioneering spirit and values embodied by all at GRI," IRSG said in a statement. "GRI's values of purposeful action, relentless drive, far-sighted approach coupled with a discovery mindset are evident in every aspect of the company."
When the Colombo plant opened in 2018, GRI Managing Director Prabhash Subasinghe said the company was committed to growth and sustainability, laying out his vision for the facility.
"We understand the importance and implications of major technological shifts in our industry—the prevalence of (the Internet), the opportunity that machine learning or (artificial intelligence), augmented reality and virtual reality can provide in making better decisions," Subasinghe said. "We are now well into establishing an innovation lab that will harness many of these technologies to drive our business forward. This new frontier is something that I am deeply interested and passionate about."
GRI has offices in six countries, selling its products in more than 50 countries worldwide.