China's Triangle Group to open US HQ

ERJ staff report (TB)

Akron, Ohio -- China's Triangle Group Co. Ltd., the second largest tyre maker in China, plans to open a US headquarters and technical centre in Akron.

Wehai City, China-based Triangle Group disclosed its plans today to establish its US sales and research/development company, A3T LLC, during a meeting of the mayors of Weihai City, Shandong Province, and Akron, who signed an agreement of mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American people.

Representing Triangle Group were: Yuhua Ding, chairman of the board; James Bao, president; Wenhao Wang, board chairman supervisor; Bo Wang, vice president of research and development; and Aijun Li.

Triangle said it will be hiring high-level technical staff along with support personnel, starting with about 30 local employees, 10 in R&D and 20 in sales, and expand from there.

Triangle will disclose more details later today.

Triangle is considered the No. 14 tyre maker worldwide with 2010 sales of $2.26 billion, according to ERJ's Global Tyre Report rankings. It operates three tyre plants in the Weihai City area, employing more than 7,500.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)