Taiwan-based Hwa Fong Rubber has announced that it will acquire the former Sumitomo Rubber manufacturing plant in Tonawanda, US.
Hwa Fong Rubber says it intends to open manufacturing operations in early 2026, hiring up to 250 people to start with. The company will produce tyres, wheel parts, transmissions, chassis and other components.
The company will use only a portion of the estimated 2 million sq ft facility, leasing a large piece of it to other companies.
Alex Chiu, CEO of Hwa Fong Rubber USA said in a statement: “HF Tonawanda Industrial Park is a natural evolution for the former Sumitomo Rubber USA plant location, and we believe this property can successfully transform into a future hub of manufacturing activity and innovation that contributes to both the Western New York and New York state economies.”
The Tonawanda plant will be Hwa Fong’s second location in the US, with the other plant in Covington, Georgia.
Sumitomo closed its Tonawanda operations abruptly last November, cutting more than 1,500 jobs. Sumitomo made automotive tyres for cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles at the plant.