Giti Tire held a groundbreaking ceremony on 20 September to officially inaugurate the start of work on its latest facility, an event the tyre maker says holds a “particular significance” as it also marks the group’s 30th anniversary of manufacturing in China. Executive chairman Enki Tan reinforced this during proceedings by stating that “the upcoming modernised Hefei plant not only celebrates our legacy but also sets the stage for Giti’s next chapter.”
Giti Tire has become a member of the US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), and Enki Tan, president and chief executive officer of Giti Tire, has been elected to the organisation’s Board of Directors. The tyre maker’s entry into the association was unanimously approved at the USTMA annual spring meeting earlier this month.
Many tyre manufacturers sponsor football teams, but Giti Tire has its own whale shark. This unorthodox sponsorship placement arose from the company’s partnership with Conservation International (CI), a relationship that dates back a number of years and closely entwined with Enki Tan’s passion for environmental conservation.
Production at Giti Tire’s newest factory began in September, and yesterday the tyre maker welcomed two parties who played a role in bringing the US$560 million plant to the USA. Henry McMaster, Governor of South Carolina, and Greg Foran, president and chief executive officer of Walmart US, toured the 1.7 million square foot facility in Richburg, South Carolina and celebrated its inauguration.
Dr Enki Tan, executive chairman of Giti Tire, has announced that Stefan Fischer and Corrado Moglia have been appointed as managing directors – Europe. The news follows the resignation of Richard Lyons, who has left the company with immediate effect. Prior to his resignation, Lyons was managing director Giti Tire (Europe) and director – International Sales & Marketing, Passenger Car.
An event was held yesterday to mark the official start of work on Giti Tire’s new facility in the USA. Local and company dignitaries, including Giti Tire executive chairman Enki Tan, were present at the Chester County site in South Carolina to mark the groundbreaking with a ceremonial shovelful of soil.
Giti Tire managing director – Europe, Richard Lyons has been appointed director of international marketing & sales for passenger car. Lyons will retain his role within Europe while increasing the scope of his responsibility for Giti passenger car tyres. Complementing the role fulfilled by Chris Bloor, director of international marketing & sales for commercial tyres, they are jointly responsible for all commercial and product activities outside of the Chinese and Indonesian markets across the replacement and original equipment initiatives, the manufacturer states.
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