Chinese tire manufacturer Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber) has announced the launch of its new Europe Technical Center (ETC) in Hannover, Germany. The facility began operations on November 1, 2021.
The ETC was established to provide technical support to ZC Rubber’s main R&D center in China, with a focus on global original equipment project development that benchmarks the company’s evolving tire technologies and improves new product performance.
ZC Rubber has also named Martin Wells as its new vice president global OE and Jörn Tietjens as key account manager OE and automotive engineer OE. Both will be based at the ETC.
Having previously worked as director of KAM OEM at Giti Tire’s R&D center in Europe for six years, Wells has substantial knowledge and experience of the European OEM business. His position will involve overseeing all work carried out at the ETC, including the company’s OE project development and account management globally. He will also oversee the company’s OE business.
Tietjens also worked at Giti Tire’s R&D center as key account manager OE and automotive engineer OE, where he successfully increased customer relations and managed several OE projects. At ZC Rubber he will be responsible for developing, testing and marketing new products to key OE accounts. Tietjens will also coordinate commercial and technical support to meet customer-related targets.
“As the world’s ninth-largest tire manufacturer, ZC Rubber’s Europe Technical Center is one of our most valuable assets,” commented Shen Jinrong, chairman of Zhongce Rubber Group. “With the new Europe Technical Center, ZC Rubber will not only be able to create cutting-edge technologies for our OEM partners but also raise the standard on new product performance.
“The OE business is critical because it not only allows us to partner with the world’s leading auto makers but also enables us to expand our replacement business.”
Following the establishment of the ETC, ZC Rubber aims to extend its OE portfolio and collaborate with other leading OEMs.
