#SEMA/GTE: Triangle Annual Meeting Sets Stage for North American Growth

Shandong, China-based Triangle Group Co. held its annual meeting in Las Vegas this week to announce its North American plans, which include two new product launches and details of a newly formed partnership for U.S. distribution.

“In order for Triangle to acquire a global company status, we must better service our dealers by expanding our footprint, filling in the gaps with new products that meet market needs, and increased line coverage of SUV and LT tires,” said Zhong Shen, global product manager for Triangle.

Triangle released two value segment tires that were identified as key products for the North American market. Both were developed alongside Triangle’s Akron, Ohio-based technical center – named A3T. Triangle announced that the technical center, which was founded in Oct. 2011, is working on 29 major projects in 2015.

The Triangle Sportex UHP tire features an asymmetric tread pattern, large contact surface, large block design and dry handling performance, said Triangle. The company will release 21 sizes by Dec. 2015 and 13 more by Dec. 2016 in North America, Europe, China and Latin America. Sportex will cover wheel diameters ranging from 16 to 24 inches in W and Y speed ratings.

Triangle also announced the introduction of another value segment tire – the Triangle Protract – into the North American, European and Chinese markets. The Protract is designed for reduced rolling resistance, mileage, safety and low noise. Triangle will release 25 sizes by Dec. 2015 and another 15 in Sept. 2016. The T and V speed rated lineup will cover wheel diameters ranging from 13 to 17 inches.

Distributing and marketing these tires in the U.S. will be Triangle Tire North America LLC – a strategic distribution partnership between Triangle Tyre Co. and Oriente Triangle Latin America, the Latin American distributor and marketer of Triangle Tyre.

“With the introduction of these new products and its newly formed U.S. distribution partnership, we are seeing Triangle evolve into a more modern aspect of business,” said Gus Lima, CEO of Oriente Triangle Latin America Inc.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has named Ryan Waldron as president of the company's Americas business unit, reporting to Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Stewart. He succeeds Steven R. McClellan, who retired on April 1.

"At Goodyear, our customers are at the center of everything we do, and in Ryan Waldron, we have a customer-centric, execution-focused business leader with a deep understanding of both the marketplace and all aspects of our business, as well as a proven track record of delivering results," Stewart said. "I am thrilled to announce him as president of Goodyear's Americas business and have enormous confidence that under his leadership, both the company and our customers will reach even greater levels of success."