Mesnac opening US research centre

A new Mesnac facility being set up in the US will aid the company in its goal of developing equipment, processes and systems that are more closely aligned to the needs of its customers in North and Latin America. The Chinese tyre and rubber industry supplier is locating this new Research and TechnicalCenter in Akron, Ohio and says the facility will be an extension of its recently-established Research Institute in Qingdao. The company already runs a similar centre in Slovakia to support its European customer base.

News of the Mesnac’s plans was given by executive vice-president Zheng Jiangjia at a function in Akron attended by customers and local officials. In making the announcement, he stated “Mesnac’s scientific and technology heritage is what drives our company and has been the basis of our success for the first 12 years of our history. As we expand into the global market, for us, it is only natural that we should do this with an R&D foundation that allows our company to develop materials and technology that are aligned with the needs of our North and Latin America customers. What better place to do that than in the home of USA tyre and rubber technology in Akron, Ohio?

“We recognise that Akron was the birth place of the tyre and rubber industry in the USA and today it still represents a city, where companies associated with our industry, are encouraged to establish due to the availability of technical and engineering resources and talent,” he added. “We are looking forward to working with our customers, the city, Akron University and our new employees to make our new R&D centre an effective technical unit and to ensure that Mesnac meets its social obligations to its new home in the Akron area.”

“We are delighted that Mesnac has chosen Northeast Ohio as the home of its new US Research and DevelopmentCenter,” said Tom Waltermire, CEO, Team Northeast Ohio (Team NEO). “Mesnac considered other potential locations but, through the collaborative efforts of Team NEO, the Greater Akron Chamber and the City of Akron, recognised the value of locating in Northeast Ohio where it could take advantage of our region’s strength in rubber and tyre technology, resources and talent.”

The new facility will provide employment for multi-skilled personnel including equipment engineers, material researchers, systems analysts and software engineers. Recruitment starts in November and the first phase of the development will employ approximately 30 specialists by mid-2014. Mesnac notes that the R&D centre forms part of its expansion into the US market and follows its acquisitions of Wyko Tire Technology in 2011 and Test Measurement Systems Inc. this year.