Nexen touting manufacturing quality milestone

Recently, Nexen Tire is touting the quality of its manufacturing capabilities, stating it has produced over 500 million tires since 2000 without having to recall a single tire for quality issues.

Nexen said it believes its testing process is what sets it apart from other manufacturers. After leaving the mold, every tire produced is subjected to a five-step checklist before being shipped to one of Nexen's distribution centers. 

In the U.S., a search of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data base on recalls confirms Nexen’s claim in the U.S.  Each year, Nexen Tire produces over 42 million tires for passenger cars, CUV/SUVs and light trucks both for original equipment supply to 20-plus global car makes and replacement market customers.

Nexen produces tires at four plants — in Yangsan and Changnyeong, South Korea; Qingdao, China; and Zatec, Czech Republic.

As for the company’s inspection process, Nexen said its testing includes:Visual test - Visual inspection of the tire's interior, exterior and beadWeight Distribution - Tested using an ultrasonic beam to verify consistent weight distribution before wheel assemblyDynamic Balance - Testing that measures balancing and optimal air pressure after wheel assemblyUniformity Test - Ensures the uniformity and rigidity of the size of the tireX-Ray - Verifies the inside of the tires and structure of belts are free of manufacturing defects and foreign materials"Nexen Tire is known globally for having some of the most stringent quality control standards in the tire industry, and we feel our milestone of 21 years with zero recalls is truly a testament to our commitment to safety," John Hagan, executive vice president of sales for Nexen Tire America, said.

"We plan to build on this incredible achievement with an aggressive growth plan to become a global top 10 tire manufacturer by 2025, and we are confident our proven manufacturing process will get us there."

Nexen operates three global tire technology centers equipped with rubber-testing labs and indoor test wheels capable of running both rolling resistance and high-speed uniformity simulations. The company's latest tire technology center opened last year in Richfield, Ohio.