Ferentino Tyre Corp US$ 250mn plant to be opened

Gearing for one-of-a-kind production in the region

• 80% of production to be exported

• Combines local talent with European technology

• More focus on building tyres for SUVs

by Sanath Nanayakkare

Southeast Asia’s largest tyre manufacturing facility – Ferentino Tyre Corp in Wagawatte Export Processing Zone in Horana is scheduled to be opened by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday- January 14.

Ferentino Tyre Corporation (Pvt) Ltd is a venture facilitated by the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) which consists of state-of-the-art European technology optimised to deliver substantial production volumes.

Estimated at US$ 250 Million, the project’s Phase 1 has been completed while Phase 2 is slated to be completed and ready for commissioning in March 2021.

Ferentino Tyres is the brainchild of well-known entrepreneur and Chairman of Ceylon Steel Corporation Nandana Lokuwithana.

“I am excited about the project as I’m confident it will serve to bolster the economy by way of boosting export revenue as well as generate many new occupational opportunities. We also intend to source our entire requirement for rubber locally thereby empowering the rubber farmers. This project is certainly a win-win for all parties involved,” Lokuwithana said.

The landmark project is one of a kind in Sri Lanka and is tipped to be the largest such facility in the whole of Southeast Asia manufacturing Passenger Car Radials (PCR) including specialised category for SUVs, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, trucks, buses and solid tyres seamlessly combining local talent with sophisticated European technology.

The export-oriented manufacturing plant with its impressive production capacity is expected to bolster the economy by revitalizing exports at this decisive juncture supporting the government’s efforts to bolster foreign reserve levels in the face of external challenges. It is also expected to create thousands of new job opportunities, both directly and indirectly.

Chairman of Ferentino Tyre Corporation (Pvt) Ltd is a businessman of international repute heading ONYX Group in the UAE, Mariott Al Jaddaf Hotel in Dubai and the upcoming state-of-the-art cement factory in Mirijjawila, Hambantota valued at USD 75nn.

Speaking about the Ferentino projects he said,” The first phase of the project worth US$ 100 million is an investment done on our own 100% in an extent of 160 acres. The second phase worth US$ 150 million will be done with a partner and negations for this are underway”.

When ‘The Island Financial Review‘ asked what he felt about being a controversial figure some years ago as someone drew strong criticism and opposition towards his work he said,” Well, that was earlier when they had not understood me and my work correctly, and without knowing me well they gave their versions of me”.

Ferentino Executive Director Dhammika Lokuwithana thanked the government and the BOI for helping to bring the vast area of marsh to its present level within a period of three and a half years for the export-oriented company to operate in.