Apollo Vredestein is enhancing its European agricultural tyre production activities at its Enschede factory in the Netherlands by bringing a new 104-inch tyre press into service in mid-March.

The demand for Vredestein Traxion XL tractor tyres is growing strongly in Europe and North America. This increasing demand is initiated both from end-users such as agricultural contractors and farmers, and from agricultural machinery manufacturers fitting tyres as part of their OEM strategy.

As the new generation of tractors become larger, stronger and heavier, Apollo Vredestein says it has responded to market needs with a range of innovative tyre solutions. The high-end range meets the latest requirements for traction, comfort, durability and soil protection. A prime example is the award-winning Vredestein Traxion Optimall tyre featuring VF technology, which allows for better performance in the field at lower tyre pressures.

The newly installed tyre press will mainly produce tractor tyres for the XL segment (diameter up to 2.30 m and weight up to 550 kg), suitable for tractors between 200 and 500 hp. The commissioning of the press in Enschede represents a significant increase in capacity for this tyre segment.

The new tyre press is the first part of a 5-year investment programme in the production facilities for agricultural tyres in Enschede. With this expansion, Apollo Vredestein aims to increase availability of its premium product range in Europe and realise further international market share growth.