A 73-inch tire? It's on the way, says Titan's Taylor

Feb. 25, 2010

Titan International Inc. says it will test its first 73.5-inch "super giant" OTR tire this spring. If the test is successful, Titan Chairman and CEO Morry Taylor says his company will put the tire in the field during the third quarter of 2010.

Earlier today, Feb. 25, Titan posted its year-end 2009 results. During the year, the company reached sales of $727.6 million on a net loss of $24.6 million during 2009 vs. sales of $1 billion on net income of $13.3 million during 2008. (For more information, see Titan absorbed sales decline, net loss in '09.)

During a conference call with investors, Taylor said Titan will be back in the black by the end of the first quarter. "January was tough," but February showed improvement, "and I think March will be really good.

"We're on goal for what we think will be a much better year in 2010," he explained. Ag tire sales will be healthy, which will "carry us through. We expect mining to be much better than it was in 2009."

Taylor said that Titan is taking OTR tire orders from abroad, including Africa and Australia.

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