CGS adopts Mitas Tyres name, to relocate to Iowa

ERJ staff report (TB)

Charlotte, North Carolina -- CGS Tires US Inc., the Charlotte-based subsidiary of Czech Republic's CGS Tyres, has changed its name to Mitas Tires North America Inc. and will relocate to Charles City, Iowa, where it plans to make radial farm tyres starting in 2012.

“We are switching the subsidiary's name to Mitas in order to promote our flagship tyre brand,” said Andrew Mabin, sales and marketing director of Mitas, the importer of Mitas- and Continental-brand agricultural tyres. “This change is made purely for marketing reasons in line with our North American expansion strategy.”

Prague-based CGS Tyres claims a 25-percent share of the European farm/forestry tyre market with its Mitas and Continental brands.

“Mitas is rolling into Iowa,” said Vladimir Dusanek, US project director of Mitas, who said the company has finished the basic design of the plant, which will occupy a former Winnebago assembly plant in Charles City.

The company has budgeted $43.8 million for the project's first phase through 2012 and additional investments of more than $22.7 million through 2016.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)

Press release from CGS