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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Singapore-Based Giti Tire To Open North American Manufacturing Center In Akron, Ohio

09/23/2013
Singapore-based Giti Tire plans to established two new Technical Centers, one in North America and another in Germany. The new North American site will be based in Akron, Ohio, and will employ tire designers, engineers, compounders, and research personnel.

This new team will design and develop tires for the North American market across the entire portfolio of brands of the company, which encompass passenger car, performance, UHP, SUV/CUV, 4x4, light truck, heavy truck and bus tires, the manufacturer said.

Hamid Aboutorabi, who will lead its North American operations center, said, “North America represents huge and diverse tire markets with evolving consumer expectations and regulations relating to tire labeling and fuel economy. We will be working hand-in-hand with every Giti Tire R&D Center and will use our collective knowledge and experiences to develop specific products that are best-in-class, utilizing cutting-edge materials and design technologies.”

“The location is pivotal in ensuring the Center’s success,” Aboutorabi added. “Akron is still the rubber capital of the world in terms of available academic and commercial knowledge, as well as labs and services directly related to tires.”

“This is not just a marker for our commitment to North America, but to improving our products and credentials worldwide,” added Julianto Djajadi, Executive Vice President, Business Operations for Giti Tire USA. “The two sites mark a significant investment, but as we strive to position all our brands as best-in-class in their various market segments, it is essential we continue to drive for excellence and deliver the best value for our dealers and consumers.”

The firm said its expansion plans marks a significant development in the research and development capabilities of the company, with both sites working in collaboration with existing facilities in China, Indonesia and the UK, the latter of which is based at the renowned MIRA facility.

Giti Tire’s new European Technical Center will be based in Hannover, Germany. “With the new Technical Centers, we have created one global R&D team which brings together the very best people and technologies across the US, Europe, China and Indonesia, and in doing so we are becoming a strong technology driven partner of the automotive industry,” said Phang Wai Yeen, Executive Director, Research and Development.

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