Goodyear opens offshore oil hose plant near Sao Paolo

Sao Paolo, Brazil -- Goodyear Engineered Products opened its new offshore oil hose plant here today with President Tim Toppen, Sao Paulo Governor Geraldo Alchmin and Santana de Parnaiba Mayor Jose Benedito Fernandez participating.

The $13 million facility, located at Santana de Parnaiba northwest of Sao Paulo, creates 150 jobs and is the company's fifth plant in Brazil. It will produce Goodyear Seawing floating and submarine oil hose, introduced earlier this year and designed to transfer crude oil and derivatives.

"We are sending a clear message that Goodyear Engineered Products is committed to growing its presence in industrial hose markets," said Toppen. "This plant allows us to compete on a global basis with high-quality products made by highly-skilled, dedicated associates."

Toppen said the location was selected from a number of possible sites because of accessibility to the nearby shipping port, the support of local governments, and a proud workforce.

Seawing is manufactured in 6- to 24-inch bore diameters, weighing up to

6000 pounds (2700kg) and rated for up to 300 pounds per-square-inch pressure (20 bar).