ALA, Italy — Tyre Retreading Machinery (TRM), part of Marangoni Meccanica S.p.A., is "looking with high interest" into investing in South America, particularly Brazil, the Ala-based company said recently.
TRM said it explored the idea with Brazilian and Latin American tire officials during the recent Tire Cologne event in Cologne, Germany.
The Brazilian market is facing great challenges, according to Alessandro Villa, TRM's managing director. These, he said, include "a concentration of the activity in large retreaders, the pressure on cost-efficiency and compliance to the NR12 safety norm."
TRM can find solutions to those requirements and has the expertise to work in this environment, Mr. Villa said.
"We are looking with great interest at the market despite the import duties and the not favorable exchange rate," he added.
TRM is working with regional industry veteran Marcelo Amorim, who has experience of working with major tire companies in the region, on the proposed project.
Earlier this year, TRM struck a deal with Shamrock Marketing Inc. of Louisville, Ky., to be the authorized U.S. dealer for TRM's Latitude Series of automated retreading equipment.
TRM designs and produces equipment for retreading passenger, light and medium truck, OTR and aircraft tires.