Sumitomo Rubber USA LLC (SRUSA) has cured the first Falken-branded tire at its plant in Buffalo, N.Y.
“It’s great to see the first Falken-branded tire come out of SRUSA,” says Kenji Onga, who is chairman and CEO of Sumitomo Rubber USA and chairman of Sumitomo Rubber North America.
“It’s great to see the first Falken-branded tire come out of SRUSA,” says Kenji Onga, who is chairman of both Sumitomo Rubber USA and Sumitomo Rubber North America. He is also CEO of SRUSA.
“Due to our domestic manufacturing, the tires that come out of Buffalo will enhance the level of service and increase the speed at which product is received for our customers.”
SRUSA says having a U.S.-based manufacturing plant, a private test track, and advanced technical resources will enable it to position the Falken tires brand among the most competitive in terms of quality, reliability and product fill times
The tires made at the Buffalo plant are scheduled to begin shipping in the fourth quarter of 2016.
“This event marks not only a bright future for our organization and people, but also represents years of history, dedication, hard work and perseverance from the people of this plant and their families,” says Richard Smallwood, CEO and president of Sumitomo Rubber North America. “The future has never been full with as much potential as it is now for our plant, our brand and our employees.”
Sumitomo Rubber North America and Sumitomo Rubber USA are wholly owned subsidiaries of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) was the parent company of Falken Tire Corp. until Jan. 2016. The end of an alliance between SRI and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. led to Falken being renamed Sumitomo Rubber North America.
For more on the realignment of Sumitomo’s North American operations, see "Falken Tire Corp. Will Change Its Name as Part of a Major Realignment.”
