What kind of products does Uzer Makina offer to global tyre industry?

Uzer Makina has been serving top tyre makers all around the world with its tyre curing presses and molds since 1978. Our press product category consists of mechanical and hydraulic presses for all kinds of tyres; while mold category includes tread segments, sidewall plates, container mechanisms, AG molds and bladder molds.

Tell us about the evolution of the company as a global leader

The company was founded by Selahattin Uzuner and his nephew Bahattin Ertuğ. At first, the company was working for petrochemical industry in Turkey and later on started to make mold maintenance activities for various tyre companies in Kocaeli. First mold was manufactured 1984. Nearly 10 years later, Uzer Makina started to manufacture tyre curing presses again for plants in İzmit. In 2000, the plant was moved to Kartepe, Kocaeli, where it  is currently located. In 2004, first hydraulic tyre curing press is manufactured and in 2007 Uzer Makina designed, manufactured and internationally patented its popular product Floating Column Hydraulic Press. Until late 2000s, the company mostly served domestic market. After 2010, we started to supply a good amount of its products abroad as well. With an aggressive growth strategy, Uzer Makina invested in buildings, brand-new equipment, human resources and expanded production in last five years to become a global player in tyre curing equipment market. We now serve top tyre makers and their plants in more than 40 countries.

What is the latest step in your expansion process?

After doubling capacity in 2018 by separating press and mold factory, Uzer Makina has completed another expansion by June 2020. This new facility is entirely dedicated for pre-production activities, including storing steel raw materials, cutting, bending, construction, welding, sandblasting and heat treatment serving both for tyre curing press and mold categories which used to be a part of press manufacturing facility before. Uzer Makina also moved its HQ office from mold factory to press factory.

Investment decision was made at the end of 2019 by the top management before Covid-19 pandemic with the goal of decreasing the costs by decreasing the amount of manufacturing activities which are outsourced. Following this decision, Uzer Makina has acquired 9500 m² land just next to existing press manufacturing facility and finished 6500 m² building in less than 7 months.

Uzer Makina also has added brand-new pre-production equipment like heat treatment furnace, sandblasting machine and bending machine. With these new machinery investment, Uzer Makina is planning to decrease the cost per product and production time while increasing the total quality of the processes by taking these operations in house rather than outsourcing them.

This expansion enables Uzer Makina to better use the existing press manufacturing facility. Since pre-production occupied a good amount of space before leaving the building, remaining place is now used for press manufacturing and assembly. Therefore, Uzer Makina is able to manufacture more presses at the same time compared to previous set-up. Uzer Makina has also made machinery investments for existing press area as well including automated spray-painting booth for painting press bodies/parts and vertical turning machine with 3 meters turning diameter which would mainly be used for parts of bigger (over 85”) mechanical presses.            

What are the features of the new SUV & TBR Floating Column Hydraulic Press?

A new era for SUV & TBR tyre curing has begun as Uzer Makina announced the development of SUV & TBR version of its most popular and internationally patented Floating Column Type Hydraulic Press in the last Tyre Technology Expo. Uzer Makina dispatched the first 65” Floating Column Hydraulic Type Curing Press at the end of 2020. This new version outweighs the existing solution Frame Type which used to be the industry standard almost in every aspect. It offers a simpler design, the construction weights much less, has fewer components, maintenance requirements are lower and finally the energy requirement is lesser compared to Frame Type. Besides, most importantly, pricewise there is no significant difference between these two types.

On the other hand, tyre manufacturers will be able to benefit all the advantages of the internationally patented Floating Column Technology for curing of larger tyres. Floating Column Technology provides fully automatic mold height adjustment and therefore eliminates the need for conventional mold height adjustment systems. The technology features two squeezing cylinders under the columns on both sides of each cavity. The piston rods of these cylinders are directly connected to the columns. Besides applying squeezing force, these cylinders also change the position of the locking point, which is located on the columns for adjustment of mold height. Therefore, the press does not need multiple locking points and can work perfectly well with just one. Columns rise at the end of each cycle and release the locking plates from grooves, meaning the locking mechanism can work without jamming.

In addition to these, Uzer Makina is able to construct this new size Floating Column Type Hydraulic Press as V-Shape as well in order to save space. The V-Shape design enables tyre manufacturers to use the curing press area at least 12% more efficiently, in other words, tyre producers would be able to place 112 curing presses in an area that was previously large enough for 100 machines. This concept was developed by Uzer Makina engineers in response to the recent market demand for upgrading existing machines in tyre production plants.

On the other hand, Uzer Makina have been recently putting so much effort to increase energy efficiency on the presses and therefore help tyre manufacturers to comply with the latest European regulations. With this object in mind, Uzer Makina has developed “Energy Saver Steam Hoses” as a subsidiary product that would work both with Uzer Makina presses and others. With these hoses, one can save up to 5% energy per press which is equal huge amount of energy considering the fact that tyre curing is the most energy consumer process of tyre production. These hoses also prevent curing area from overheating. In case there is an effort to cool down the area, there is no need for it or at least it requires much less effort to keep the curing area at normal temperature.

Uzer Makina is not solely a tyre curing press and mold producer – the company also strives to improve the efficiency of the entire curing process. Uzer Makina places great emphasis on digitization and designs its presses to be fully compatible with Industry 4.0 requirements such as EMS, AGV, SCADA, MES and ERP systems. In addition, the company conducts its own research and also works with leading industry companies to offer solutions such as mold pre-heating presses, mold changing pickup cranes and RFID mold management systems – to help tyre manufacturers achieve the most efficient curing processes.

How did the company take on the pandemic?

Even though pandemic conditions were very challenging for tyre industry especially in terms of demand last year, 2021 is very promising also for Uzer Makina. There are many reasons for this: firstly, because of US tariffs against Asian tyre makers, Turkey & Eastern Europe has become a very attractive country for capacity increase for tyre production. Almost all tyre makers in Turkey runs at full capacity and some of them already is expanding. Secondly, there has been a global change in transportation as many people now prefers to move more individually than ever, this probably will eventually affect the number of tyres produced globally. Uzer Makina started to feel this rebound in the demand as many existing customers has decided to restart their previously on hold orders and requesting inquiries for new equipment, and it is also a known fact that quite a few tyre makers are making new greenfield & expansion projects. As Uzer Makina continues to improve its reputation in the market year by year, this rebound will have much more positive effect on the company.

In the pandemic period, like all other companies, Uzer Makina also had to transform the way to operate business into more digital. Now in Uzer Makina, all internal meetings are video meetings. Since travelling abroad is still an issue, nearly all the meetings with customers and suppliers are done via video calls too. Uzer Makina enriched the content of the installation and commissioning materials and provided remote support in order to help the customers which cannot accept people to their plants because of travelling bans. (TT)

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Doublestar Tire emerged as a standout exhibitor at the 21st China (Shanghai) International Tire & Wheel Expo (CITEXPO), which commenced on 2 September at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. The event, recognised as a premier professional gathering in the Asia-Pacific region, attracted over 400 international exhibitors displaying the latest industry innovations. Among them, Doublestar distinguished itself with a portfolio focused on high differentiation and added value, capturing significant attention from attendees.

In response to varied overseas requirements, the tyre manufacturer presented a comprehensive product range addressing commercial and passenger vehicle applications. For the commercial sector, the flagship TBR tyre D902 was engineered with an abrasion-resistant compound and an advanced tread design. This configuration ensures stability and longevity under high-temperature, long-haul conditions, offering fleet operators a balance of dependable performance and economic efficiency.

The passenger vehicle lineup featured the EV95 SAFORT tyre, a specialised product for new energy vehicles incorporating the company’s proprietary ‘Safort’ support technology. This innovation addresses critical new energy vehicle demands, including reduced rolling resistance and minimal noise levels. The exhibition also included additional differentiated products, underscoring Doublestar’s commitment to understanding and fulfilling evolving consumer preferences through targeted engineering.

Throughout the expo, the company’s booth drew sustained interest from domestic and international buyers, with the overseas sales team outlining technical benefits and application-specific advantages. These interactions led to substantive discussions and positive indications for prospective partnerships. Looking ahead, Doublestar intends to persist in developing safer, more energy-efficient tire solutions, reinforcing the competitive standing of Chinese tire manufacturers in the global marketplace.

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BendPak has announced that all current models within its Ranger line of wheel balancers and tyre changers now feature ETL certification as a standard offering. This independent validation, conducted by Intertek Testing Services, confirms that the equipment complies with applicable UL and CSA safety standards for both the United States and Canadian markets. The certification rigorously covers electrical, pneumatic and mechanical safety requirements, ensuring robust operator protection and adherence to workplace compliance regulations.

The achievement of this certification was the result of an extensive 18-month internal project focused on comprehensively redesigning critical components. The initiative mandated sweeping upgrades across the equipment's electrical architecture, structural framework and both mechanical and pneumatic systems to meet the stringent criteria. Every aspect of the machines was scrutinised to ensure they could withstand the demands of the certification process.

Throughout the development cycle, a primary emphasis was placed on mitigating operator risks inherent in daily tire service tasks. Engineers systematically assessed potential hazards, including pinch-point dangers, moving parts, electrical and fire risks and high-pressure systems. When existing configurations fell short of the required benchmarks, teams implemented complete redesigns, replaced substandard parts and integrated new protective safeguards to address these vulnerabilities.

Following these extensive modifications, each piece of equipment underwent a battery of rigorous tests to verify its safety and performance prior to final approval. The certified lineup includes models such as the DST30PX, LS45DS, RB30T, DST2420X, R745, R980XR, R76ATR, R980DP, R80EX and R26FLT. These certified units are now clearly identifiable by the ETL mark displayed on their product labels.

Jeff Kritzer, President and CEO, BendPak, said, “The end result is not just a certification mark. Certification represents a fundamentally higher level of product engineering, component quality, mechanical and electrical safety, durability and overall North American compliance, giving customers confidence that their Ranger equipment is built to the highest standards.”

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Hankook Tire will take on the sponsorship role for the ‘Best Use of Technology’ prize at the upcoming Motor Transport Awards in September, reinforcing its active role in celebrating industry progress. The award specifically targets organisations that harness digital tools, hardware upgrades or system overhauls to produce real-world gains in freight movement and logistical coordination.

Following the release of the 2026 finalist roster, the technology category has narrowed its focus to three contenders: Explore, GXO and HF Owen Transport & Storage. Each enterprise has put forward evidence of how their chosen technical strategies have resolved persistent operational hurdles while also boosting service quality for their client bases.

The September gala holds added weight this year, as the Motor Transport Awards reach their 40th anniversary of honouring top performers in British road haulage. Scheduled for the Grosvenor House Hotel along Park Lane, the gathering will draw upwards of 1,250 senior figures from across the sector, offering a prime setting for peer recognition and forward-looking dialogue.

Presenting the trophy will be Paul Emery, Sales Director at Hankook Tyre UK, whose presence underscores the brand’s parallel pursuit of advanced mobility solutions. Beyond the competitive element, the evening serves as a networking hub and a moment to assess broader industry shifts, all while Hankook deepens its ties to one of the transport world’s most enduring award platforms.

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Sun Auto Tire & Service has reached a major milestone with its new Plaza Tire Service outlet in Bowling Green, Kentucky, officially marking the company's 600th store. Since 2017, the organisation has surged from roughly three dozen locations to a dominant force within the independent tyre and automotive service sector.

The Bowling Green facility offers premium tyre products alongside skilled mounting, alignment, balancing, puncture repair and full mechanical work. Patrons benefit from digital booking and electronic vehicle health reports, all under the firm's philosophy emphasizing transparency and attentive treatment. This launch coincides with the group securing Better Business Bureau (BBB) recognition across its entire portfolio.

Beyond retail, the company is supporting local academic and athletic pursuits. Partnering with the Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Foundation, it has funded two student scholarships. A Drive With Purpose initiative partners with the high school cheerleading squad, with a share of oil change revenue directed to the programme over the coming month.

BBB accreditation denotes adherence to honest dealings and clear communication, offering consumers a reliable benchmark. As Sun Auto celebrates this landmark, its customer pledge and accredited standards demonstrate a sustained commitment to responsible service across its nationwide footprint.

Tony Puckett, Chief Executive Officer, Sun Auto Tire & Service, said, "This milestone represents far more than a store count. Reaching 600 locations is a testament to the thousands of teammates who deliver exceptional service every day and the customers and communities who trust us with their vehicles. As we continue to grow, our focus remains unchanged: providing clear communication, trusted guidance and expert care through the local brands our customers know and rely on."

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