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Sumitomo Rubber USA will invest $122 million to increase Town of Tonawanda plant's production capabilities

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Tue, Mar 30th 2021 05:35 pm

Tire manufacturer will be adding 30 new jobs & nearly doubling its output at WNY facility

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced Sumitomo Rubber USA will be investing $122 million in its Town of Tonawanda plant, resulting in 30 new jobs. The capital investment by SRUSA will include a major replacement of and upgrades to production and other equipment.

The plant currently makes approximately 9,000 tires per day for cars, motorcycles, trucks and buses, and the investment will allow production to nearly double to 17,500 tires per day.

The facility will be 100 years old in 2022, and the modernization will solidify the tire manufacturer's long-term economic future in Western New York.

"The multimillion-dollar investment in the Sumitomo Rubber plant is another strong signal of confidence in the Western New York economy's promise for rebounding from the pandemic," Cuomo said. "The future success of New York's manufacturers is dependent on their hard-working employees and their ability to maximize production in response to increased market demands. I congratulate Sumitomo for creating this opportunity for growth and modernizing a plant that has a long history of success in the region."

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said, "Sumitomo Rubber's investment in its Tonawanda plant is a testament to New York's economic development initiatives and the manufacturer's long-term commitment to Western New York. The investment will include major upgrades and modernization of production equipment at the nearly century-old facility, while protecting the long-term future of those currently employed and creating 30 new good paying jobs."

ESD is assisting SRUSA with the purchase of new mixing, tire building, curing presses and additional state-of-the-art equipment by providing up to $3.3 million through the Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for job creation commitments. SRUSA is one of the biggest manufacturing employers in Western New York, with an average annual salary starting at $50,000 per year. It expects to complete the installation of the new equipment by December 2023.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-Designate Eric Gertler said, "Sumitomo Rubber's $122 million investment will almost double the Tonawanda tire plant's output and keep this nearly century-old site competitive. Modernizing older facilities is one of the many ways Western New York manufacturers are growing, increasing productivity and investing in the jobs of the future."

Sumitomo Rubber USA President and CEO Yasutaka Ii said, "Sumitomo Rubber has enjoyed a long history at this facility in Tonawanda. Our customers value the products made at this facility by our dedicated and talented employees. With tremendous support from our local governments in Tonawanda and Western New York, and this strong signal of commitment from the governor and the state of New York through Empire State Development incentives, we look forward to remaining a strong employer and great corporate citizen in this community."

Located alongside the Niagara River in Tonawanda, SRUSA's vast, 2 million-square-foot manufacturing facility has a long and proud history in Western New York dating back to groundbreaking activities in 1920. Its primary business is the manufacturing of tires for passenger vehicle, commercial truck, bus and motorcycle markets. The sprawling complex includes manufacturing, warehouse and related office space for the U.S. headquarters of SRUSA on 130 acres of land. This is SRUSA's only tire facility in the U.S., and tires made in this facility are sold throughout North America. For more information on SRUSA, visit sumitomorubber-usa.com.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, "This significant, $122 million investment by Sumitomo is good news for Erie County, bringing 30 new jobs and greatly expanding production at the Tonawanda facility. Tires made here travel throughout North America and, while Sumitomo's facility is approaching its 100th anniversary, this modernization will keep them rolling for the next century."

Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joseph Emminger said, "I want to thank Sumitomo Rubber USA for their confidence and investment in their Tonawanda Plant. For over 100 years, Sumitomo – formerly Goodyear Dunlop – has believed in their employees and that Tonawanda and New York state is the right place for them to grow their business; and we look forward to partnering with them in making that happen."

For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit regionalcouncils.ny.gov and esd.ny.gov.

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