Giti Tire Group executives were joined by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley along with state and county officials in a groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s new facility in Chester County on Feb. 12, 2015.
The first North America plant for Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. will produce passenger and light truck tires for the replacement and original equipment markets. It is expected to be operational in 2017 and generate 1,700 new jobs over the next 10 years.
“We are excited to celebrate this key milestone with many of the folks who have worked so hard in this important project,” says Enki Tan, executive chairman of Giti Tire Group. “This is a great day for Giti Tire, the people of South Carolina and the Chester County community.”
In addition to Tan and the governor, speaking at the event were R. Carlisle Roddey, Chester County supervisor and chairman of the Chester County Council, and Brian Singleton, chairman of the Chester Development Association.
Following the remarks, tire company executives, government officials and community leaders wielded ceremonial shovels to break ground for the anticipated tire manufacturing facility. Work has started on the site, located between S.C. Highway 9 and Old Richburg Road. The new plant will be on the Carolinas I-77 Mega Site and will combine manufacturing and distribution activities.
During his remarks, Tan was joined on stage by Agnes Slayman, superintendent of the Chester County School District, and several local school children in announcing the “Giti Tire Math and Science Award.” Teams for each school will be given a specific problem to solve and will then present a solution to the problem in the annual competition, which begins in fall 2015. The winning teams (one from elementary, middle and high schools) will receive a trophy and an award.
The Chester County School District serves more than 5,300 students across the county in three high schools, three middle schools, and five elementary schools, as well as through its career center, alternative education and adult education programs.
“The students of the Chester County School District have unique talents and abilities that, when nurtured, will lead graduates to bright futures and diverse careers,” Tan says. “We are looking forward to working with the school district to help ‘Guide and Inspire Tomorrow’s Innovators’ in the science, math and engineering fields.”
For more information, please visit www.giti.com.
