Maxxis strengthens PH market with new tire products, improvements in Kunshan facility

AS ONE of the top 10 largest tire manufacturing companies in the world, Maxxis International has developed a strong presence in 180 countries in Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia, including the Philippines.

Maxxis International president Dr. Wally Chen has declared that the Philippines is one of the company’s strongest performers in Southeast Asia.

In a recent visit, Chen said he was particularly impressed after Philippine franchise North Trend Marketing Corp. was awarded as Maxxis Distributor of the Year Award in the region for the fourth consecutive year. A Cebu-based company with satellites, North Trend is the sole distributor of Maxxis tires in the Philippines with warehouses in Davao, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Tacloban, Iloilo and Manila.

Maxxis International has always adhered to its Triple 3 principle of providing 100 percent quality, trust and service said Chen. “Everybody can say they’ve got the best technology but who would decide on who makes the finest tires? It’s the end-users—our customers, of course.”

“This Triple 3 principle which we now call T3 plus 2 plus 1, which includes respect, care plus appreciation for our customers has been the winning formula for our success,” added Ronald Ang, president of North Trend Marketing Corp.

To further strengthen the company’s presence in the Philippines, Maxxis continuously identifies and supports the market segments where its full potential can be realized. “In terms of areas where we excel, we can confidently say that we are the barometer and market leader for tires of utility vehicles  for hire. We have also shown very good potential for SUVs and 4x4s,” Ang noted .

For these particular markets, Maxxis has introduced two exciting tire products: the Maxxis UE 168 and the new Maxxis AT-980.

Well-known for its durability, the UE-168 features a tough construction design with high-end rugged materials.  The rib pattern design improves overall tread wear while the shoulder grooves help improve all-season traction under inclement weather.

An all-terrain tire with a classic pattern, the AT-980 features a new construction design to maximize road contact even under heavy load as well as improving puncture and bruising resistance. The unique zig-zag block design pattern provides extra traction edges for improved offroad performance.

In spite of its already enviable position as the ninth place in Tire Business’ 2014 Global Tire Company Ranking, Chen said Maxxis International is not in any way resting on its laurels. “To bring ourselves to a level where we can challenge our competitors, we’ve invested for our Kunshan Tech Centre a Flat-Trac III which is said to be the only machine of its kind in the region. Globally, there are fewer than 10 of these machines.”

Also recently installed in Kunshan Tech Center is a rolling resistance tester which tests tire uniformity up to 200 kilometers per hour. Similarly also said to be the only one of its kind in the region and is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery designed for testing force, rolling resistance, high-speed uniformity, noise and vibration, contact pressure measurement and analysis, and 3D measurement. The Kunshan Tech Center is not the only getting a major upgrade. Maxxis also has a new tech center in Suwanee, Georgia, next to the company’s US office.

“This new facility expanded our capabilities for testing and the development even further, with state-of-the-art equipment and a top-flight staff. These two were in addition to our existing R&D centers in Taiwan (where the headquarters is located), Xiamen and the Netherlands. The Proving Ground Tech Center in Kunshan was launched in November 2012,” Chen added.  The $150-million facility, which took years to design and build, is most likely the largest in the region and also the first one of international standards.

For Maxxis end-users, this development can only mean more high-performance tires that offer durability and the best traction for all road and weather conditions.

Learn more at www.northtrend.com and fb.com/maxxistiresph.