Tire manufacturer Nexen Tire has committed US$5m to develop a new 34,000ft² tire technology center in Richfield, Ohio. The building will be the first in the Richfield Crossroads Development District and will include labs, offices, test machines and a warehouse.
In a move that demonstrates the company’s commitment to North and South American markets, the center will provide advanced and innovative technologies for the development of cutting-edge and eco-friendly tires for the OE and replacement markets.
“The Richfield facility is an expansion of our tech center. For us to really develop tires for the American market, we want our American tech center to be involved and the team at our new facility will have a lot of input in our upcoming future tires,” said Paul Jho, motorsports senior manager, Nexen Tire America.
“We’re doing a lot of research in the motorsports segment here in the USA. We’re planning to expand our motorsport program, not just into drifting, but into other series as well.”
Nexen’s investment will aid the production of 42 million tires a year supplying over 20 global OEMs tires for passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks. Additional plans for a North American plant are also in progress, with production start-up expected in 2021.
October 24, 2017
