One of SUN-TWS's production plants in Sri Lanka

Sun Tyre & Wheel Systems (SUN-TWS), part of the TVS Group of India, has acquired STARCO Lanka Private Limited, based in Sri Lanka.

SUN-TWS has an extensive portfolio of off-highway tyres, wheels and assemblies that serves the needs of materials handling, construction and mining, heavy-duty trailers, airports and seaports.

The addition of STARCO Lanka as Sun-TWS's fifth manufacturing plant, together with expansion at its existing plants in Sri Lanka and India, increases overall capacity by 40% to meet growing demand.

STARCO Lanka was set up in 2011 to produce solid industrial tyres, becoming an important partner for the original equipment manufacturers and key aftermarket distributors.

Joseph Fernando, president of SUN-TWS, says: "This is an exciting opportunity that will bring anticipated synergy to our manufacturing facilities."

"We see great potential to develop a partnership with SUN-TWS immediately for our industrial segment, but also for other segments," says Richard Todd, chief executive officer at STARCO. We will maintain sales and distribution of our solid tyre ranges as the market knows it today."

STARCO has been a force in the wheel and tyre industry for more than 55 years. With factories in the UK, Croatia, Sri Lanka and China, as well as eight sales and distribution locations across Europe, STARCO has a widespread distribution network.

SUN-TWS, part of the USD8 billion TVS Group, is a leading supplier of materials handling and off-highway tyres, wheels and related products, with five manufacturing plants in Sri Lanka and India. In 2010, the company acquired the assets of Watts Lanka Tyres, including its production facility in Colombo, Sri Lanka.