Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. held a grand opening ceremony today at its recently acquired tire manufacturing facility in Kruševac, Serbia.
Approximately 500 dignitaries, employees and members of the media were invited to attend the ceremony, including Serbia President Boris Tadić, Minister of Economy and Regional Development Nebojša Ćirić, and U.S. Ambassador Mary Warlick. The guests, together with Cooper Chairman, President and CEO Roy Armes, and International Tire Division President Hal Miller, celebrated the official opening of the plant.
At the ceremony, Armes welcomed the attendees and thanked the Serbian and local Kruševac government officials as well as the U.S. Embassy for their efforts on Cooper's behalf in acquiring the former Trayal plant. Cooper elected to invest in Serbia not only because of its significant economic potential, but also for its quality workforce, geographical advantages and Serbian government support. Cooper Tire Serbia becomes Kruševac's second-largest employer, providing tires for the European and Russian markets.
