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)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) is organising the NRW Tire Recycling Forum on 10 November 2026 at the Lohrheide Sports Park in Bochum, running from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Held under the umbrella of the North Rhine-Westphalia Roundtable on Circular Value Creation, the free event targets municipal officials responsible for building, sports, green spaces, road and civil engineering, along with sustainability and climate protection managers.

Discarded tyres can be transformed into an array of construction materials, including impact-absorbing sports surfaces, sound and vibration insulation and protective layers for green roofs and photovoltaic installations. The gathering will examine how municipalities can integrate such recycled goods into their infrastructure and building projects.

Expert presentations, real-world case studies and details on funding programmes for urban development and sports initiatives across North Rhine-Westphalia form the core of the agenda. Public procurement will receive particular attention, with discussion centring on how technology-neutral, quality-focused tendering can encourage greater adoption of suitable recycled products in municipal work.

A guided tour of the Lohrheide sports park's newly installed running track, which contains tyre rubber granulate, serves as a principal attraction. Attendees will learn about the material's characteristics, the construction process and lessons drawn from planning, tendering and execution, offering concrete evidence of mechanical tyre recycling within a functioning circular economy. The event also connects to North Rhine-Westphalia's new circular economy strategy, which treats used tyres as a distinct field of action.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

BendPak’s Ranger Division has introduced the DST30PX, a next-generation wheel balancer in its DST Series, built to help shops handle larger OEM wheel assemblies and heavy aftermarket truck tyres. Older balancing platforms can struggle with these oversized wheels, slowing service and creating bottlenecks. The DST30PX addresses those issues through a new hood design, a larger shaft and an overhauled structural chassis.

The robust hood accommodates a wider range of tyre shapes and sizes, including oversized off-road and fleet tyres, without time-consuming repositioning. Its open-side design lets wider tyres, aggressive offsets and bulky sidewalls slide in more easily, cutting setup time and allowing operators to position wheel assemblies up to 43 inches in diameter. Ranger reinforced the chassis and hood assembly to handle added mass without flexing, compromising alignment or generating excess vibration, supporting consistent measurements and reliable accuracy. The rugged 40 mm shaft increases stiffness and accuracy for heavier wheels.

A large, 64-tooth magnetic transducer encoder with precision-cut square teeth converts rotary position into a digital electronic signal, helping achieve accurate profile readings and top-dead-centre positioning for minimal, precise wheel placement. This extra resolution benefits modern wheels requiring cleaner correction, smaller weight changes and better placement accuracy. The DST30PX also streamlines repetitive service through simple wheel data entry, precise rolling weight readings, automatic braking, manual or automatic hood-start operation and rapid cycle times. A quick-release hub nut, side-position brake, top-dead-centre weight indicator and tiered placement indicators accelerate setup and correction, while onboard storage includes a top tray, side cone pegs and a side shelf for Ranger Quick-Peel adhesive tape weight rolls.

Key features include a 145-lb (approximately 65 kg) capacity, a 30-inch wheel diameter range, a 43-inch maximum tyre diameter, low-RPM operation, a six-second cycle time, Dynamic, Static and Performance Alloy settings, a 16-bit processor, multi-directional quartz piezoelectric sensors, a multi-user save function with presets, ergonomic controls and a full-tilt LED display control panel. The DST30PX suits shops seeking higher precision, faster workflow, and advanced measuring for modern wheels without moving to a larger premium machine. It is ETL certified to applicable UL and CSA safety standards in the United States and Canada, ships with a starter kit of adhesive and clip-on steel wheel weights and offers Ranger Select setup and training.

Sean Price, Director of Product Development, BendPak, said, “The Ranger DST30PX represents a fundamental shift in how modern shops handle today’s radically heavier, oversized wheel configurations. It ensures technicians can mount, spin and perfectly balance oversized assemblies without a single second of wasted motion.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental has signed on as a global partner of the International Biathlon Union (IBU), with the agreement set to run from the 2026/27 season through 2029/30. The deal, negotiated by the IBU’s exclusive global marketing partner Infront, covers the LaVita IBU World Cup, the IBU World Championships and the Loop One Festival.

Biathlon’s close ties to winter make it a fitting fit for the tyre maker, which frames the sport as a natural setting for a partnership rooted in a positive view of the cold season. Athletes contend with shifting snow, weather and course conditions, blending endurance with shooting precision, a combination that mirrors Continental’s emphasis on preparation and confidence.

The tie-up places Continental inside one of EMEA’s strongest winter sports properties. The IBU calendar features 54 LaVita World Cup races and 12 World Championship races, many staged in key European winter markets, with Germany, France and Sweden among the largest EMEA television audiences for the sport. Beyond reach, European biathlon fans show a strong affinity for individual mobility, as 88 percent own at least one car, 80 percent drive at least semi-regularly and 59 percent drive regularly.

For the IBU, the cooperation adds an internationally established mobility brand to a partner platform that accompanies athletes and fans across the season, opening chances to develop fan experiences and market activities around major competitions. The deal extends Continental’s longstanding sports engagement in EMEA, giving it a season-long platform that links biathlon’s emotional pull with winter mobility relevance, on the idea that proper preparation turns winter conditions into possibilities rather than limits.

Alexandra Gaillard, Head of Marketing, Continental, said, “Our partnership with the International Biathlon Union brings together two organisations that share a common belief: challenging and unpredictable conditions do not have to limit what is possible. They can create opportunities for those who are prepared. Whether on the biathlon course or on winter roads, determination and the right equipment make all the difference when conditions change. Together with the IBU, we want to inspire people to rediscover winter and embrace the possibilities it offers, helping them navigate changing conditions safely and confidently.”

Ferdinand Hoyos, Head of Business Area EMEA, Continental, said, “Biathlon is a natural fit for Continental: success in the sport depends on the perfect combination of performance, precision and control in winter conditions, just as it does for our winter tire portfolio. For decades, biathlon has been one of the most popular and successful winter sports on the Olympic stage, and throughout those decades, Continental has remained a trusted leader in winter tyre technology. This shared commitment to excellence, performance and reliability makes for a great partnership and provides a strong platform to engage with fans, customers and retail partners across EMEA.”

Felix Bitterling, Commercial & Marketing Director, IBU, said, “With Continental, we are welcoming a strong and renowned brand to the biathlon family. The company’s commitment to quality, innovation and performance resonates perfectly with the values of our sport and federation. Biathlon provides an excellent platform for global visibility while creating meaningful engagement opportunities with our passionate fan base.”

Marco Sautner, Managing Director, Infront Germany, said, "Continental has seen firsthand the value that winter sports can create for leading brands. Biathlon's passionate fan base, strong presence in key European markets and range of activation opportunities provide an excellent platform to build on that success. It is hugely satisfying to bring together two organisations that stand to benefit from a long-term collaboration."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Sun Auto Tire & Service has entered a strategic partnership with Interstate Batteries, designating the company as the primary battery provider for the Sun Auto Network. The announcement marks a significant development for one of United States’ largest independent automotive service providers.

Operating over 600 locations across 27 states, the Sun Auto Network encompasses more than 70 local and regional automotive service brands. This partnership represents another step in Sun Auto's ongoing efforts to strengthen operations and enhance customer experience through leading category partners.

Interstate Batteries, a battery specialist with national scale and strong consumer awareness, brings dedicated category expertise, marketing resources and nationwide support to the network. The company's products are now available at Sun Auto locations nationwide, combining Sun Auto's growing service footprint with Interstate's specialised expertise and distribution capabilities to create greater consistency in product availability, promotions and warranty support.

With over 70 years of industry presence, Interstate Batteries is recognised as one of North America's most trusted consumer battery brands. Sun Auto locations will support Interstate's warranty coverage, offering customers convenient access to warranty service across the network. The partnership advances Sun Auto's broader strategy of leveraging national network strength to improve products, resources and support for its local brands.

Tony Puckett, Chief Executive Officer, Sun Auto Network, said, "As we grow the Sun Auto Network, we're continually looking for ways to use our scale to make our local brands stronger and deliver more value to our customers. That means aligning with partners who bring deep expertise in their category and can support us consistently across the country. Interstate Batteries brings a trusted brand, specialised battery expertise and nationwide capabilities that make them a strong fit for our network and the customers we serve."

Lain Hancock, President and Chief Executive Officer, Interstate Batteries, said, "Interstate Batteries is proud to partner with Sun Auto Network and serve one of the nation's largest automotive service networks. Sun Auto's scale, customer-first approach and commitment to excellence make them an ideal partner. This agreement creates an exciting opportunity to support more than 600 locations operating under trusted local brands while ensuring drivers have access to dependable battery solutions wherever they travel."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!