Techking has launched the 4KLIFT forklift tyre line.

Off-the-road (OTR) tyre manufacturer Techking Tires Ltd is launching its first forklift tyre line, which it claims is more durable than other bias-structure tyres on the market.

Marketing manager Ben Zhang tells Forkliftaction.com News that the 4KLIFT tyre line for the Chinese and overseas markets has an "innovative design", making it 30-70% more durable than some of its competitors..

"There are two different structures for OTR tyres - radial and bias structures. Radial structure has more advantages than bias structure. It is more energy-saving, durable and is (puncture-resistant)," Zhang explains.

"[But] we designed the 4KLIFT [bias] tyres with a reinforced steel breaker inside. This innovative design is able to improve the tyre's performance, making it up to 70% more durable than the regular bias structure," he adds.

Techking, established in 2005 with only three employees, holds 40 patents for its tyres, including patents in Europe. It decided to launch a forklift tyre line this year as part of its venture into the industrial tyre market.

"We (have) already got port tyres with successful field performance. [We have the technology and innovation] to expand our products for forklift service," Zhang says.

When asked to give his thoughts on Chinese tyre manufacturers, Richard Blacker, regional sales and marketing manager of Sydney, Australia-based Bearcat Tyres Pty Ltd, says his company had been testing Techking's Duratough-branded tyres for about 12 months on large container-handling forklifts "with fantastic results".

"These tyres are a steel radial constructed industrial tyre and, to date, the tyre performance is almost equal to the top branded European tyre manufacturers," Blacker says.

He thinks Techking's new forklift tyres will perform well as the Chinese manufacturer has "high expectations with their tyres".

Techking plans to produce 30,000 4KLIFT forklift tyres in its first year. The company has grown rapidly over the past five years. In 2008, Techking sold USD70 million of tyres compared to USD0.5 million in 2005. It employs 120 staff, with some based in Europe, West Africa, India and the US. It says it supplies 90% of Norwegian dump truck maker Moxy's tyres and its OEM customers include Komatsu India, Atlas Copco in Scandinavia and Bell Equipment in South Africa. Techking opened its first Chinese service centre in October 2009 and expects to open another 10 overseas this year.