WASHINGTON, D.C. — With its U.S. tire plant in operation, Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. is the latest tire manufacturer to join the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), expanding the association's membership to 12 companies.
Only tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S are eligible for USTMA membership. The USTMA board of directors unanimously approved Giti's membership at the association's spring board meeting.
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.-based Giti Tire (USA) — a subsidiary of Singapore-headquartered Giti Tire Group — began tire production at its $560 milllion Richburg, S.C., facility in October 2017.
"Giti's investment in adding operations in the U.S. is a demonstration of the strength and appeal of this market," USTMA President and CEO Anne Forristall Luke said ,
Beside Giti, USTMA's members are: Bridgestone Americas Inc.; Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C.; Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.; Goodyear; Hankook Tire America Corp.; Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc.; Michelin North America Inc.; Pirelli Tire North America; Sumitomo Rubber Industries Inc.; Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc.; and Yokohama Tire Corp.
These 11 tire companies collectively operate 56 tire-related plants in 18 states and generate over $27 billion in annual sales, accounting for 82 percent of U.S. passenger, light and medium truck tire shipments, the USTMA said.