Farm and industrial tire manufacturer Mitas announced it has cured the first test tire at its new plant in Charles City, Iowa.
The plant – which will employ 52 people when serial production begins in April and 167 by the end of the year – a is currently in the testing phase, according to Mitas. The tiremaker has earmarked $52 million for the facility, which in 2013 is slated to reach a full capacity of more than 12,000 metric tons of radial tires annually.
“Mitas can make tires in Iowa,” said Pavel Charvat, president and plant director. “This test tire is the first tire produced by Mitas on the American continent. Now, Mitas is tweaking the machinery, streamlining processes and training workers for the Charles City plant to be ready for serial production in April.”
Mitas operates three production plants in the Czech Republic and one in Serbia, and maintains a global sales and distribution network. Sales of tires in North America reached a record level in the aftermarket and to OEMs in 2011, according to Neil Rayson, senior vice president for sales at Mitas’ U.S. subsidiary. “Mitas’ innovative tires are well accepted by the American farmer,” he said. “The farmer will be even more likely to accept Mitas tires made in Iowa.”