Since its origin in 1961, STIA (Tunisian
Company of Automotive Industry) has evolved and diversified according
to the demands of the market and in response to the changes in the regulation
of international commerce.
The Production of Buses-Coaches
:
STIA began over forty years ago and
went through three major phases based on technological progress made
in the areas of design, development and management :
- First phase (1964-1973) :
Bus CKD's were imported, painted and equipped with seats and interior
furnishings.
- Second phase (1974-1986) :
STIA produced two types of bodies under VAN-HOOL contract: one for city
buses, the other for inter-city buses. The specific tools and equipment
were supplied by the contractor.
- Third phase (since 1987) :
STIA developed its own body designs and made a definite move into the
production of coaches.
In 1998, STIA signed new contracts
to purchase :
- chassis with wheels :
IRISBUS
Spain
: for city, intercity coaches and minibuses
RVI
France
: for minibuses (35 passengers)
IKARUSBUS
Hungary
: for city and intercity articulated coaches
MERCEDES
Germany
: for tourist coaches
SCANIA
Sweden
: for tourist coaches
- industrial
vehicles CKD's :
IVECO
Italy
: Lorries and trucks (3.5 t up to 26t P.T.C)
RVI
France
: Lorries and trucks (12 t up to 26t P.T.C)
SCANIA
Sweden
: Trucks (12
t up to 26t P.T.C)
MERCEDES
Germany
: Lorries and trucks (12 t up to 26t P.T.C)
STIA had dedicated itself to the
improvement of vehicle production through reorganization and modernization
by recruiting technically qualified personnel using high performance
DAO/CAO software.
STIA has diversified its products to respond to the growing and specific
needs of the market.
STIA counts among its customers the following big national and regional
companies of transport ministry and private companies.
STIA began the business of assembling
industrial vehicles in 1967 and since then has grown steadily, aided
in part by the National Parks' standardization of its fleet.
In 1991, under the supervision of the Tunisian Commercial Office, STIA
signed contracts for five years with foreign builders such as IVECO,
RVI and SCANIA. An agreement with MERCEDES was signed in 2002.
Tunisian government has signed agreement with OMC to free trade up to
2008 in order to progressive reduction of protective tariffs over a
twelve year period.
From December 1998, STIA committed a plan to upgrade its product to
meet European Standards in order to made quality, productivity, low
cost and to position itself in local and foreign markets.
All of the efforts were crowned in July 2000, when STIA received ISO
9002 certification.