From Tire Review
 
Giti Tire has located its North America R&D center in Unitontown, Ohio, just south of Akron. The new facility is one of five R&D centers operated by the Singapore-based tiremaker worldwide.
 
Giti’s Ohio operation is responsible for the tiremarker’s development needs in North America, including the development and application of advance design technologies, testing support, and technical and logistical support for the marketing activities of Giti Tire USA and Giti Tire Canada, the company said.
 
The facility will be lead by 25-year industry veteran Hamid Aboutorabi. Aboutorabi, who serves as the R&D center director holds a PhD in mechanical engineering and regularly participates in international tire conferences.
 
Operating for less than a year at its new location, the new center has already conducted extensive benchmark testing of Giti Tire products sold in North America against competitors, Aboutorabi, said. Tire design equipment and procedures are in operation, and the center has already developed original and modified tire designs for implementation into the
North American product line, he noted.
 
Earlier this year Giti announced it would build its first North American plant in Chester County, S.C.