KRANJ, Slovenia — Goodyear is planning to expand capacity at its Goodyear Dunlop Sava Tires plant in Kranj by about 25 percent by 2022 with the addition of building equipment for larger rim-diameter tires.
The expansion, valued at $107 million, will add more than 58,000 square feet to the factory that Goodyear has owned since 1998. The expansion will boost capacity by 1.8 million units a year and create up to 160 jobs, Goodyear said.
Henry Dumortier, vice president consumer, Europe, said the expansion will help Goodyear keep pace with growing demand for premium larger rim-diameter tires throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Production will focus on replacement tires with 17- to 19-inch rim diameters, Goodyear said. Current annual capacity is listed as about 8 million units with 1,600 employees.
The first phase of construction will begin in January, Goodyear said, with additional phases planned for 2020 and 2021 to reach full capacity.