Sun Tyre & Wheel Systems (SUN-TWS), part of the USD6 billion TVS Group of India, will build a third plant for the manufacture of solid industrial tyres and related products in South India.

After completing its acquisition of Watts Lanka Pvt Ltd in Sri Lanka in 2010, SUN-TWS has rapidly expanded its production capacity of solid resilient and press-on tyres at that location. The company will increase capacity at its Sri Lankan facility for solid skid steer tyres this year.

SUN-TWS says in spite of its expanded production capacity, it still has extended lead times for its products. This led the holding company's board of directors to approve the building of a third plant, which is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter.

SUN-TWS is a global player in the materials handling sector, with more than 95% of its sales from overseas.