Mitas Tires North America Inc. has opened its newest radial farm tire factory in Charles City, Iowa. Mitas says Charles city is where the word “tractor” was coined.
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Charles City Mayor James Erb and Mitas representatives Tomas Nemec and Oldrich Slemr cut the ribbon to start serial production of farm tires.
Mitas announced it would accelerate its $52 million investment to achieve the full production capacity of 13,500 metric tons of tires a year by 2013, which is three years earlier than originally anticipated.
“Mitas is now an American-made brand,” said Tomas Nemec, the chairman of Mitas’ parent company, CGS Tires US Inc. “Mitas invites all farmers to buy tires made in the tractor town.”
The newly opened plant makes all common agricultural tire sizes and will eventually produce sizes of up to 54-inch diameter and 1,200 mm width. The last curing press will be installed by mid-2013.
The factory currently employs 76 full-time employees recruited locally, and by 2013 the plant will employ 237 local residents.
“The American farmer will benefit from increased competition,” Nemec added as Mitas has become the third radial agricultural tire producer in the United States.
