Giti Tire (USA) Inc., along with South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and other state and county officials, broke ground on the company’s $560 million radial passenger and light truck/SUV plant in Chester County, S.C., on Feb. 12.
The Chester County plant is the first North America plant for the Singapore-based tiremaker and is expected to be operational in 2017, generating 1,700 jobs over the next 10 years.
“We are excited to celebrate this key milestone with many of the folks who have worked so hard in this important project,” said Enki Tan, executive chairman of Giti Tire Group. “This is a great day for Giti Tire, the people of South Carolina and the Chester County community.”
Agnes Slayman, superintendent of the Chester County School District, and several local schoolchildren joined Tan on stage, announcing the “Giti Tire Math and Science Award.” The award is designed to nurture local elementary, middle and high school students in the fields of science, math and engineering. The awards culminate in an annual competition, taking place in fall 2015, and challenge students to solve a specific problem and present the solution.
“The students of the Chester County School District have unique talents and abilities that, when nurtured, will lead graduates to bright futures and diverse careers,” Tan said. “We are looking forward to working with the school district to help ‘Guide and Inspire Tomorrow’s Innovators’ in the science, math and engineering fields.”
In addition, Gov. Haley; R. Carlisle Roddey, Chester County supervisor and chairman of the Chester County Council; and Brian Singleton, chairman of the Chester Development Association made remarks at the groundbreaking. Following the remarks, tire company executives, government officials and community leaders wielded ceremonial shovels to break ground for the tire manufacturing facility.