Page 52 - Retrading Business N103 2022-4
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LATEST
NEWS - INDIA
COCHIN RUBBERS INTRODUCES PREMIUM TREAD RANGE UNDER ‘COBBER’ BRAND
Indian tread rubber producer Cochin Ru- bbers has introduced a new premium ran- ge of tread rubber under the brand name ‘Cobber’. The product claims to have uni- que combination of material inclusion and manufacturing technique that enable the tyre to perform like a new tyre.
The Cobber brand has been launched in three categories, Premium, Xtramile and Camino, offering mileage of over 90,000 km, 70,000 km and 50,000 km respecti- vely. The product has been tested exten- sively and is claimed to provide highest return on investment, and is safe, reliable and durable. Cochin Rubbers, who have traditionally catered largely to the price sensitive middle and low-end segments, have always had an inclination to intro- duce a premium product to fill the gap in their existing product range and Cobber is designed to address the premium seg- ment.
“The Cobber range gives about 15% more mileage compared to tread manufactured under the ‘Cochin Rubber’ brand,” said
Rubbers.
The brand is now available in the domes- tic as well as export markets.
“The Cobber range is performing posi- tively in the domestic market and ship- also commenced,” said Jofin.
EXPANDING ALUVA SITE
Meanwhile, Cochin Rubber is also ex- panding capacity at its Aluva site (Kochi), which has been functional for the last decade. “We are planning to increase the capacity at the Aluva factory by 150 tons,” he added. “We have been negotiating with - kings) and are expecting our designs and pricing terms to be approved shortly. Be- sides, we are in touch with several compa- nies showing interesting in our new tread Africa and Germany. If these orders are approved, extra capacity will be required
to serve these new clients in the domestic and export market. Currently, we export about 100 tons each month, but the new premium product Cobber has already hit the export market. The strategy is to dou- ble exports to 200 tons per month by the
Cochin Rubber currently operates two tread rubber sites at Kalamassery (Kochi) and Aluva with a total capacity of 1,000 tons, 900 tons of which is for the precu- re sector. 300 tones each are supplied to
NEW TRUCK TYRE PLANT PLANNED
Meanwhile, Cochin Rubber is also in- vesting into the setting-up of a commer- cial vehicle tyre manufacturing plant. The new tyre making unit is coming up is in full swing. The plant is likely to be operational by the beginning of 2024, manufacturing popular sizes of radial tyres with applications in the commercial vehicle segment.
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