Birinci may start producing premium tires

The Birinchi Rezinotexnika Zavodi (BRZ) plant, located in Angren (Uzbekistan) and, along with Ikon Tyres (Russia) and KamaTyresKZ (Kazakhstan), is part of Tatneft's tire business, may start producing premium-class tires over time. This was stated by the plant's director, Gulyamzhon Ibragimov, whose words are quoted by the "5 Koleso" portal.

"I do not exclude that after the development strategy until 2035 is approved, Birinchi's assortment will include tires of segments "A" and "B", - he noted. - We have production capacities, advanced technologies, and the most modern equipment, and the experience of Ikon Tyres will be very helpful in developing premium products. In addition, due to the increase in the number of large-sized Chinese cars in Uzbekistan, it will be necessary to establish the production of tires with diameters of 19, 20, and 21 inches."

Currently, the main product of BRZ is budget tires under the Bars brand, which are also supplied to the Russian market. Tires are produced in sizes with a diameter of up to 18 inches, and a feature of the assortment is the presence of 12-inch diameter tires designed for popular mini-trucks Chevrolet Damas in Uzbekistan, which BRZ equips with tires on the assembly line.

After reaching full capacity, Tatneft's tire plants will be able to produce up to 23 million tires (17 million tires in Russia and 3 million in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan). The development of all products will be carried out in a single Research and Development Center, which was opened in the fall of 2023 at the Ikon plant.

The tire business of Tatneft is headed by the general director of Ikon, Andrey Panteukhov, who from 2004 to 2023 held the positions of general director and vice-president of Nokian Tyres Russia.

The plant in Angren was launched in 2018.