Sumitomo Rubber USA LLC is seeking an updated air quality permit so it can double production of passenger and light truck tires at its only manufacturing facility in North America.
The company plans to increase passenger and light truck tire production from 5,000 to 10,000 tires a day in Tonawanda, N.Y. The company has previously said it planned to double production by the end of 2019.
The plant, owned by Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc., will continue to produce 5,000 Dunlop motorcycle tires and 2,000 medium truck and bus tires daily, according to the air quality permit filed with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The company says it will increase its utilization of six existing mixers, and will install an additional mixer over a three-year period.
The plant began production of Falken-branded tires in 2016 after Sumitomo ended its alliance with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and took over full ownership of the facility.
