One of the world's largest tire manufacturers, Titan International may buy a stake in Voltair Prom, the Kordiant-owned plant in Volgograd, Vedomosti reported Thursday.
The factory, which produces tires for agricultural and industrial vehicles, is valued at 5.1 billion rubles ($160 million), Investcafe analyst Andrei Shenk said. However, Russia's entry into the WTO has led to increased competition, which could lead to a 15 to 20 percent price reduction.
One Equity Partners Fund, a JPMorgan affiliate, and the Russian Direct Investment Fund, could co-invest with Titan, a source close to the negotiations said.
RDIF director Konstantin Ryzhkov said his organization knew a number of "first-class partners" with whom they could invest in the tire production market. RDIF invests in projects from $50 million to $500 million, but only if foreign partners are prepared to invest the same amount.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.