GRI unveils wider solid tire for forklifts

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Industrial tire maker Global Rubber Industries Pvt. Ltd. (GRI) has developed a wider solid tire, the Globestar Wide Tread (WT), that it said is particularly effective in high-load forklift applications.

The new tire is "is designed to be a truly universal solid tire that consistently delivers a high level of functionality, GRI said, by offering a high load-carrying capacity, extensive tire life and enhanced stability.

GRI said the Globestar WT's tread design adds increased traction in a wide variety of surface conditions while supporting increased stability.

According to the company, the tire's "tread lug depth, lug gaps, circumferential lateral groves and other unique design features ensure that tire runs with minimum noise and outstanding lateral guidance."

GRI claims the tire is one the widest on the market, but it didn't provide tire sizing information or say how much wider it is than its standard forklift tires.

GRI said the tires are particularly effective in forklift applications, especially as it applies to cornering difficulties. The width of the tire allows for a higher contact area and a lower tire distortion, GRI said, in standard material handling applications.

GRI said it uses Sri Lankan natural rubber in the tread compound to ensure high abrasion resistance and durability. The tire also offers low heat build-up and high chipping and chunking resistance, according the the company.

Established in 2002, GRI produces tires for forklifts, excavators, port trailers, airport equipment, construction vehicles, skid steer machines, OTR and agriculture equipment.

The company, which has sales offices and warehouses in the U.S., France, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Australia, broke ground early this year on a plant in Badalgama, Sri Lanka, that will produce pneumatic agricultural, industrial, OTR and construction tires. Trial production is anticipated before year-end.

A year ago GRI expanded its U.S. distribution footprint by buying Leffler Industrial Tire & Rubber Track Inc. of Indianapolis and Kentucky Industrial Tire Inc. of Louisville to complement its North American sales company in Canton, Ga.