Sumitomo Rubber Industries, 10 months after cutting 1,500 jobs by abruptly closing its Town of Tonawanda tire factory, plans to open a technical center in Getzville with 40 engineering and professional jobs.
The company in its announcement did not specify where the center will be located. Sumitomo said the center will employ engineers and other salaried professionals to support its design, product testing and innovation activities within the North and South American automotive tire market. They will be employed through Sumitomo Rubber Industries America, a subsidiary.
The technical center will support research and development activities for passenger, motorcycle and light truck tires, both for original equipment manufacturers and replacement market customers, Sumitomo said. The operations will include technical benchmarking, product design, simulation and analysis, materials development, and on-vehicle testing.
“We are pleased that (Sumitomo Rubber Industries America) 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 Sumitomo Rubber Industries 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.”
Ten other employees of Sumitomo Rubber Industries America will be based at the subsidiary’s test track in Huntsville, Ala.
Sumitomo last November closed a tire manufacturing plant in the Town of Tonawanda that employed 1,500 workers.
Matt Glynn
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