Sri Lanka-based specialty tire manufacturer Global Rubber Industries (Pvt) Ltd. (GRI) says it is working closely with the government of its home country to continue its factory operations and ensure uninterrupted supply to its customers in the United States.
“We are grateful our management team and factory employees in Sri Lanka had the courage and commitment, amidst this COVID-19 uncertainty, to report to work and build tires for our dedicated dealer network in all of North America,” says Gary Stevens, president of sales for material handling tires in the U.S.
“GRI has built a strong foundation and a high reputation over 17 years in the U.S. and continues to do everything we can for our customers.”
“The Sri Lankan government has granted permission to all export companies and declared the island’s natural rubber industry as essential for the country,” says Prabhash Subasinghe, managing director of GRI. “We continue to operate under a stringent COVID-19 operating procedure to ensure the health and safety of all employees. GRI is resolute in rising up to the needs of our loyal customers in the US in this hour of need.”
GRI’s main U.S. sales office is in Atlanta, Ga. It also has warehouses and service points in Indianapolis, Ind.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Lexington, Ky.; and Birmingham, Ala.
The company says it has seen “steady demand” for its premium, eco-friendly Ultimate XT solid tire, which was introduced last November.
This past January, in an exclusive interview with MTD, GRI CEO Dr. Mahesha Ranasoma outlined the company’s distribution plans in the U.S. “GRI would like to have regional dealers in each of the states” within the next year, he said.
