China’s fifth largest tyre manufacturing company, Sentury Tire, has selected La Grange, Troup County in Georgia, US to be the site of the company’s tyre manufacturing facility in North America, according to the state’s Governor Nathan Deal. Sentury Tire will invest US$530 million and create over 1,000 jobs in a car and light truck tyre facility that will support the company’s existing customer base in the region.
Sentury Tire specialises in the advanced tyre manufacturing for the automotive and aerospace industries. The company is a world leader in highly intelligent tyre manufacturing processes that increase efficiency and minimise production times, and robotics plays a crucial role in the production process.
The new manufacturing facility will create jobs in production, national sales and marketing, warehousing and distribution. As a further investment in the facility, Sentury is planning to incorporate a research and development center that will employ approximately 100 highly qualified technical personnel.
Sentury Tire Executive Vice President Rami Helminen said they are happy to select LaGrange as the location of their manufacturing operations in North America.
“The education systems and high quality workforce complement our leading edge technology in the production and research and development. We are confident that Georgia has the infrastructure that can help us build a successful logistical operation to supply our growing aftermarket dealer sales and OEM sales to auto manufacturers in the North American market,” Helminen added.
Production is expected to begin in 2018 and will build up to the company’s projected manufacturing capacity of 12 million passenger and light truck tyres.
Sentury Tire products are sold worldwide under the Sentury, Landsail and Delinte brands. About 70% of Sentury Tire’s sales are in the EU and US markets. Sentury Tire’s parent company, Qingdao Sentury Tire Co., Ltd., based in Qingdao, China, employs 2,500 people worldwide and currently has manufacturing operations in Qingdao and Thailand.
“Sentury Tire’s commitment to locate in LaGrange speaks to Georgia’s business-friendly climate and the strong relationship we maintain with our economic partners in China” said Deal. “I am positive that Georgia’s automotive manufacturing and technology capabilities will be assets to Sentury Tire as the company serves a growing customer base.”
Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Director of International Investment Nico Wijnberg represented the Global Commerce division in partnership with Georgia Power, Georgia Quick Start, the Georgia Ports Authority and the Development Authority of LaGrange.
According to GDEcD Commissioner Chris Carr, the state of Georgia has been helping foster business connections between Georgians and Chinese professionals since the state’s first strategic office in China was set up in 2007. The state has also had an office in Qingdao since 2013.
“This project is a great example of the relationships that have been forged through active communication and engagement in China. As Sentury Tire joins some 38 Chinese businesses with operations in Georgia, we are looking forward to working with our partners in La Grange to ensure the company’s success well into the future.”