ZC Rubber targets OE growth with new European technical centre 

Hanover, Germany – Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber) has established a Europe technical centre (ETC) in Hanover to support its global growth in the original equipment sector.

Officially launched on 1 Nov, the ETC is set to provide “major technical support” to ZC Rubber's main R&D centre in China with a focus on global OE development, said the company in an 8 Nov statement. 

The Chinese tire maker has named two former Giti Tire R&D leaders, Martin Wells and Joern Tietjens, as the new VP global OE and key account manager (KAM) OE and automotive engineer, to work at the new centre. 

Wells will oversee all work at ETC, including OE project development and account management on a global basis, and will be in charge of the company's OE business. 

He previously worked as director KAM OEM at Giti Tire R&D centre (Europe) GmbH for six years and according to ZC Rubber, has “substantial experience” in the European OEM business, particularly with Volkswagen Group. 

He is also a senior expert in the field of German automotive industry association (VDA) auditing.

Tietjens will be responsible for developing, testing, and marketing new products to key OE accounts, as well as coordinating commercial and technical support to meet “customer-related targets.” 

He previously served as key account manager OE and automotive engineer OE at Giti Tire R&D centre Europe, where he established “a strong record of increasing customer relations and successful management of several OE projects within the VW Group.”

"As the world's ninth-largest tire manufacturer, ZC Rubber's Europe technical centre is one of our most valuable assets," said ZC Rubber chairman Shen Jinrong. 

With the new centre, he said, ZC Rubber will aim to create “cutting-edge technologies” for OEM partners and raise the performance standard of its products. 

ZC Rubber currently supplies OE tires to a number of car makers, including Ford, Volvo, Hyundai, and KIA Motors.

"The OE business is critical because it not only allows us to partner with the world's leading automakers, but it also enables us to expand our replacement business," said Shen Jinrong.

With the establishment of the European centre, ZC Rubber aims to extend its OE portfolio and collaborate with "the world's leading automakers in the future,” he added.