The Kranj-based tyre maker Goodyear Slovenija has expanded production capacity by a quarter and created 160 jobs as part of a €94 million investment that started in January 2019 and was completed last month.

The first phase of the investment was completed in 2019, while the second started in 2020 and was supposed to end by the beginning of 2022.

The company told the STA the reason for the delay was the Covid-19 pandemic and longer wait times for all the permits. The last operating permit was issued last month.

The existing complex in Kranj in the north-west of the country was expanded by two new buildings featuring advanced equipment for production of tyres.

The equipment reduces the amount of man-hours per unit but creates a greater demand for skilled workers, such as machine operators, maintenance workers and engineers, the company said.

Since 2015 an increased demand has been recorded in the European market for large-wheeled cars, such as premium SUV and electric cars.

The investment will allow Goodyear to keep up with the demand, having increased the production capacity for car tyres of larger dimensions by up to 1.8 million units per year.

Part of the Goodyear multinational since 1998, Goodyear Slovenija is one of the leading tyre manufacturers in South-East Europe. It employs some 1,700 people.

The company manufactures and sells tyres for cars, vans and trucks, industrial and construction machinery and motorcycles. Its product range features five brands - Goodyear, Dunlop, Sava, Fulda and Debica.