Nexen Tire America Inc. is set to break ground on a $5 million tire technology center about 20 miles north of Akron, Ohio, on Oct. 17, 2017.
Located in Richfield, an Akron suburb, the 34,000-square-foot building will house offices, labs, test machines and a warehouse.
Nexen says the new technology center demonstrates its commitment to the North and South American markets. The facility will provide advanced, innovative technologies for developing cutting edge, safe and eco-friendly tires for both the original equipment and replacement markets.
The company has outgrown its current technical center, which is also located in Richfield.
Nexen supplies OE tires to more than 20 global car makers in North and South America, Asia and Europe. The company says it currently is producing 42 million tires a year for passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks with advanced technology, unsurpassed uniformity/ quality and excellence in design.
Established in 1942, Nexen is a global tire manufacturer headquartered in Yangsan and Seoul, South Korea. Nexen works with dealers in 141 countries around the world. The company has three manufacturing plants – two in Korea (Yangsan and Changnyeong) and one in Qingdao, China. A new plant is being built in Zatec, Czech Republic, and will be operational by 2018.
Nexen’s highly automated Changnyeong plant has an annual output of 12 million units. The company says plans are in progress for a North America tire plant with a production startup goal of 2021. Modern Tire Dealer Editor Bob Ulrich visited Nexen's highly automoated Changnyeong plant in May 2015. For his report on the plant and Nexen's plans to increase capacity, see "Nexen wants to spread the word about its tires."
The technology center will be the first building in the Richfield Crossroads Development District. Nexen recognizes Richfield Mayor Beshara and her staff, and Jobs Ohio, whose assistance was instrumental in getting the project underway.
For more information on Nexen and its products, visit www.nexentireusa.com.
