Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) held an opening ceremony for the group's first tyre factory in the Republic of Turkey, incorporated as Sumitomo Rubber AKO Lastik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. (SAT), on the new factory's grounds located in the Cankiri Province.
SRI President Ikeda and SAT President Fujimoto were joined at the opening ceremony by an audience of 1,200 local guests, including President Erdogan and other representatives of the national government, Ambassador Yutaka Yokoi of the Japanese Embassy to Turkey, Director-General Arda Ermut of the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey, Governor Vahdettin Ozcan of Cankiri Province, Chairman Mustafa Ozcan of SRI's joint-venture partner in Turkey, Abdulkadir Ozcan Lastik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., and many others.
In his speech, President Erdogan pledged that Turkey would "Spare no effort in supporting our Japanese friends," and expressed his hope that the two countries "Would grow and develop side by side." Meanwhile, SRI's President Ikeda spoke of his desire to "Contribute to the economic development of the nation of Turkey while preserving and cultivating the shared historical bonds that tie Turkey and Japan together."
Further, Director-General Arda Ermut of the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey, an important figure who had played a vital role in launching and coordinating this project, said "This project is a great source of pride to us and to all of Turkey."
At present, against a backdrop of steady economic growth in Turkey, there is growing demand for automobile tyres in the Turkish market, while Turkey also enjoys the geographical benefits of being in close proximity to markets in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Russia. With the full-fledged operation of SRI's new Turkey Factory, it is these markets that will help facilitate SRI's growth as global tyre manufacturer.
About Sumitomo Rubber Australia
Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) is the sixth largest tyre manufacturer in the world. With 11 global tyre manufacturing facilities, SRI produces tyres for passenger cars, light trucks, trucks & buses, motorcycles and agriculture machinery. Sumitomo Rubber Australia (SRAU) is the local subsidiary and manages two brands - Falken and Sumitomo Tyres. For more information visit www.falken.com.au.