CHANGSHU, China (Nov. 20, 2015) — Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.'s plant in Changhsu recently produced it 100 millionth tire, 11-plus years after the factory opened.
Speaking at a ceremony Nov. 14 to mark the occasion, SRI Executive Director Yutaka Kuroda said the Chinese market “holds the key to our future growth. I hope that Changshu factory will continue to provide high-performance, high-quality tires that meet the needs of our customers while striving to earn a place among the best tire factories in the world."
Sumitomo has invested $315 million since 2002 to build and expand the plant, one of two it operates in China. The plant makes radial passenger, light and medium truck tires and tire molds.
The plant operates under the control of Sumitomo Rubber (Changshu) Co. Ltd., which also oversees sales in China. The plant supplies both the domestic and export markets.
Production at the plant has accelerated in the past few years. It took seven years for the plant to reach 50 million units and just four for the next 50 million.