Maxxis building technical centres in US, Taiwan and China

Taipei, Taiwan --Taiwan tyre maker Maxxis International is building technical centres in Taiwan, China and the US as part of an "ambitious expansion" of its worldwide research and development capabilities.

In Asia, Maxxis International has completed work on a six-story, 13 300-sq.-m. centre near Shanghai, China, where it anticipates employing 200 engineers. Plans also call for construction of a world-class proving ground nearby, expected to open in 2008, Maxxis said.

In Taiwan, Maxxis is building a three-story, 5300-sq.-m. facility that is scheduled for completion in June. Like the Shanghai centre, it will employ 200 engineers, Maxxis said.

The US centre will be built at Maxxis' US headquarters in Suwanee, Georgia, and will replace a smaller facility in nearby Norcross. Georgia, the company said. The one-story, 2400-sq.-m. center will open in June.

The firm did not say what it has budgeted to build the three centres.

Maxxis International, previously known as Cheng Shin Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd., is considered the world's 13th largest tyre maker, with 2004 sales of $983.3 million. It makes car, light truck, motorcycle, ATV, bicycle, lawn and garden and industrial tyres at plants in Taiwan and China.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)

Press release from Maxxis