Kenda USA has hired industry veteran Tom Williams as vice president of engineering. His first priorities will be to help build research and development centers in Taiwan and Akron, Ohio.
Kenda's Akron office will assist with North American testing and product development across all product categories.
"Kenda is looking to take the next step in the tire industry, and we’re excited about the hiring of Tom and the experience he brings," says Kenda President Jimmy Yan. "This is just step one of an aggressive short-term goal to further the quality and value Kenda products bring to the market place.”
In his 30-year tire industry career, Williams has worked for the former Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., the General Tire division of GenCorp., and Hankook Tire America Corp.
"Kenda has provided me with a great opportunity to use what I have learned over my 30 years in the tire industry to help move them forward," says Williams. "I look forward to the personal satisfaction I will get from seeing the company grow.
"The Kenda office in Taiwan has welcomed me to the team and has been very interested in discussing the new ideas and plans. Top management is very enthused about the entire process, which makes my job much easier.
"It is very rare in this industry to be brought in on an expansion project that has this broad of a scope,” he adds.
American Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd., which does business as Kenda USA, is headquartered in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. For more information on Kenda and its products, visit www.kendatire.com.
