Jeety Rubber LLC, one of the leading rubber processing companies in the country, has set its sights on producing the country's first domestically manufactured tire by mid-2028, marking what could become a major milestone in Liberia's push toward industrialization and value addition in the rubber sector.
The announcement was made by the company's owner and Chief Executive Officer, Upjit Singh Sachdeva, popularly known as Jeety, during a recognition ceremony in his honor held on March 25 and attended by Liberia's Minister of Agriculture.
According to Mr. Jeety, Liberians could soon witness the production of locally manufactured tires if the company is able to secure adequate raw materials to support the planned expansion of its operations.
"By 2028, either June or July, Liberians can expect the first made-in-Liberia tire," Mr. Jeety declared. "But if I do not have the raw material, I will not be able to run the factory and do the expansion to make tires."
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Jeety Rubber is currently implementing the second phase of an $18 million expansion project aimed at significantly increasing its rubber processing capacity.
The upgrade, which is about 60 percent complete, will introduce a new processing line capable of handling eight tons of rubber per hour, nearly doubling the company's existing capacity of five tons per hour.
Once completed, the expansion will allow the company to process larger volumes of rubber and support its ambition to move beyond processing into full-scale tire manufacturing.
The upgraded plant is expected to become operational between June and July 2026, at which point the company will require approximately 550 tonnes of wet rubber per day, more than double its current daily demand of 200 to 250 tonnes.
However, Mr. Jeety cautioned that the success of the project depends heavily on the availability of raw materials.
"If I do not have the raw material, I will not be able to run the factory and do the expansion to make tires," he reiterated. "I will not be investing 35 to 40 million dollars more if I'm not getting enough rubber."
According to Mr. Jeety, the company has already conducted detailed feasibility studies for the production of several categories of tires, positioning Liberia to enter a new phase of manufacturing in the rubber sector.
"We have completed feasibility studies to manufacture truck tires, passenger vehicle tires, motorcycle tires, and tricycle tires," he disclosed.
Central to Jeety Rubber's strategy is a call for the Government of Liberia to restrict or ban the export of unprocessed rubber, commonly known locally as "cuplumps."
Mr. Jeety argued that exporting raw rubber deprives the country of valuable economic opportunities, including job creation and industrial development.
"When you export unprocessed rubber, you are exporting jobs. You are giving jobs to people in Malaysia," he said. "If you want to give jobs to the youth, you need to stop the exportation of raw material."
Mr. Jeety also urged the government to strengthen price mechanisms that would allow rubber farmers to earn higher incomes, arguing that better farm-gate prices would encourage farmers to increase production and bring more rubber to market while also improving rural livelihoods.
"If farmers get a better price, they develop. They are able to feed their children. They are able to send their children to better schools," he said. "I am an Indian by passport, Liberian by heart. I want to do something unique -- to make the first tire in this country."
Despite the challenges associated with such an ambitious industrial undertaking, Jeety Rubber recently received recognition from two major industry groups -- the Rubber Planters Association of Liberia (RPAL) and the Rubber Development Fund Incorporated (RDFI).
The organizations honored the company for its continued support to Liberia's rubber sector, particularly its role in supporting smallholder farmers.
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According to the associations, Jeety Rubber remained committed to purchasing rubber from farmers at a time when several other buyers had suspended purchases in protest of the government's decision to introduce a regulated farm-gate price.
The groups described the company as a reliable partner to Liberia's rubber industry, acknowledging its contribution to sustaining the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers.
If the company's plans materialize, the production of Liberia's first locally manufactured tire could represent a significant turning point for the country's rubber industry, shifting the sector from primarily exporting raw materials to producing finished goods.
However, Mr. Jeety stressed that achieving this goal will require strong collaboration between the private sector and the government to ensure adequate raw material supply and supportive policies.
"By 2028, Liberians can expect the first made-in-Liberia tire," he reaffirmed, expressing confidence that the milestone could redefine the future of Liberia's rubber industry.
