Sumitomo to Open New Technical Center in the USA

Sumitomo Rubber Industries has announced that it intends to open a new research and development center in the USA to develop and test products for the North and South American markets. The new center will be located in the city of Getzville (New York state), and the company also has its own testing ground in the country, which is located in Huntsville (Alabama). 

In late 2024, Sumitomo announced the closure of the tire plant in Tonawanda (New York), resulting in the loss of nearly 1,400 jobs. The company explained its decision by the low profitability of production, but noted that in the future it plans to build a new plant in the region. 

The Getzville center will be engaged in the development of tires for passenger cars, SUVs, and pickups, as well as motorcycles, and the products will be intended for both the aftermarket and the OE segment.

"We are very pleased that the company has decided to continue development and research in Western New York by creating a separate technical center," said Wataru Isaka, Senior Vice President of Sumitomo Rubber Industries America. "The new center will allow our team to contribute to the development of the company in America, while also creating jobs for graduates of local educational institutions, with which we are partners." 

The exact opening date of the new center has not been announced.