Japan-based global tyre and rubber company Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. is enhancing their research and development (R&D) as well as testing infrastructure in the US for the rapid development and timely launch of tyres for its customers in the North and South American markets.
With the dissolution of its Global Alliance with Goodyear in October last year, the Sumitomo Rubber Group said it has since gained a much greater degree of freedom in conducting business in North America and Europe.The group has since been moving forward with active efforts to enhance their R&D, production and sales infrastructure to better serve these markets.
As part of these efforts, Sumitomo Rubber Group has constructed on the grounds of its USA Factory in Tonawanda, New York a new USA Technical Centre, which will become fully operational in January of 2017.
In addition, in March of 2017, the group will also begin evaluating tyres for four-wheel vehicles at its USA TyreTest Course in Huntsville, Alabama, which has previously been used solely for motorcycle tyre testing.
Meanwhile, the company also said they are moving forward with the preparations for a Europe Technical Centre, which is anticipated to be fully operational by September of 2017.
Through these and its other efforts, the Sumitomo Rubber Group aims to accelerate its “Business Expansion in North America and Europe”, which is one of itsaction plans under its “Vision 2020” long-term vision.