Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) has announced plans to open a technical center in western New York to support its design, product testing and innovation activities within the North and South American automotive tire market.
The technical center in Getzville will employ approximately 40 engineers and professionals as part of SRI America (SRIA), a subsidiary of SRI. Ten other employees will be based at SRIA’s test track in Huntsville, Alabama.
The SRIA technical center will support research and development activities for passenger, motorcycle and light truck tires for original equipment manufacturers and replacement market customers. Operations will include technical benchmarking, product design, simulation and analysis, materials development and on-vehicle testing.
“We are pleased that SRIA has chosen to retain research and development efforts in the western New York region through the creation of a standalone technical center,” said Wataru Isaka, senior vice president of SRI America. “This facility will position our team to positively impact wider company efforts in the Americas, while at the same time offering dynamic employment opportunities for existing talent and future professionals from partner educational institutions within the local economy.”
In related news, Nexen Tire introduces driving simulator to accelerate tire development
