NAA Event Review: Pirelli Tyres
Last month saw us visit Carlisle-based NAA member Pirelli Tyres, where we were welcomed by Alan Wilson, Engineering Manager UK, and NAA Advisory Board Member.
Alan described how Pirelli Carlisle is an SUV tyre centre of excellence within the global Pirelli business, which itself was founded in 1872 and today stands as a global brand known for its cutting-edge technology, high-end production excellence and passion for innovation that draws heavily on its Italian roots.
Employing circa 31,300 people globally, and with Group sales of circa €6.65billion in 2023, Pirelli is a major player in the tyre industry and the only global player focused solely on the consumer tyre market, which includes tyres for cars, motorcycles and bicycles.
Alan gave an overview of Pirelli’s global manufacturing footprint which shows a presence in the following regions and countries:
- Europe (UK; Italy; Germany; Romania; Turkey)
- North America (US; Mexico)
- South America (Brazil; Argentina)
- Asia (China; Indonesia)
Alan then went on to outline Pirelli’s product pillars as follows:
- Technology
- Co-development with OEMs
- Specialities
- Experience from motorsport
- Sustainability
- Top of the industry ESG ratings
- Leading decarbonisation of the industry
- Focusing on a sustainable product offer
- Eco-safety design
Alan then gave an overview of the Carlisle factory, which opened in 1969, employs circa 900 people and produces circa 3 million tyres per annum. Benefiting from over 50 years of prestige manufacturing and Pirelli’s SUV centre of excellence, quality is at the forefront of everything that they do, with:
- ISO9001 accreditation
- IATF16949 accreditation
- 100% quality control check
- Dedicated quality assurance account manager
With the following industry recognised quality assurances:
- Jaguar Land Rover Q
- Volvo VSIM
- VW Group Formel Q – Audi, Bentley, Porsche, VW
Alan then gave an overview of investment into the Carlisle factory from 2019 – 2024, totalling over €40 million across the following areas:
- Product technology
- Mixing capacity
- Semi-finished capacity
With a further circa €50 million planned from 2025 to 2029 across the following areas:
- Product technology
- Ergonomics
- Carbon footprint
Delegates were then given an extensive tour of the Carlisle manufacturing facility, including the following areas:
- Mixing
- Components
- Tyre building
- Curing
- Finishing
