Sep 25 2013
Giti Tire has established two new Technical Centers, one in North America and one in Germany, Europe.
Hamid Aboutorabi
The move marks a significant development in the research and development capabilities of the company, with both sites working in collaboration with existing facilities in China, Indonesia and the UK, the latter of which is based at the renowned MIRA facility. The company now employs over 600 R&D personnel.
The new North American site will be based in Akron, Ohio and will employ tire designers, engineers, compounders, and research personnel.
This new team will design and develop tires for the North American market across the entire portfolio of brands of the company, which encompass passenger car, performance, UHP, SUV/CUV, 4x4, light truck, heavy truck and bus tires.
The Technical Center operation will be led by Mr. Hamid Aboutorabi, who holds a PhD in mechanical engineering and is a 23 year veteran of the tire industry. He has experience in managing R&D teams as well as the development and application of advanced modelling techniques in tire design across both OE and replacement markets.
Mr. Aboutorabi regularly participates in international tire conferences and has had several research papers published through the Tire Society, Inc.
He will have matrix reporting to both Mr. Phang Wai Yeen, Executive Director, R&D, Giti Tire and Mr. Herve Richert, Executive Director, Sales and Marketing (International) and President of Giti Tire (USA). Mr. Aboutorabi will sit on both the North American and Global R&D Leadership Teams.
According to Mr. Aboutorabi, “North America represents huge and diverse tire markets with evolving consumer expectations and regulations relating to tire labeling and fuel economy. We will be working hand-in-hand with every Giti Tire R&D Center and will use our collective knowledge and experiences to develop specific products that are best-in-class, utilizing cutting-edge materials and design technologies.”
“The location is pivotal in ensuring the Center’s success,” Aboutorabi continued. “Akron is still the rubber capital of the world in terms of available academic and commercial knowledge, as well as labs and services directly related to tires.”
“This is not just a marker for our commitment to North America, but to improving our products and credentials worldwide,” added Mr. Julianto Djajadi, Executive Vice President, Business Operations for Giti Tire (USA).
“The two sites mark a significant investment, but as we strive to position all our brands as best-in-class in their various market segments, it is essential we continue to drive for excellence and deliver the best value for our dealers and consumers.”
Giti Tire’s new European Technical Center will be based in Hannover, Germany, under the leadership of R&D Director, Mr. Stefan Fischer.
Mr. Fischer has over 18 years of experience in the tire industry working across different R&D projects including OE, passenger car and van tires. He will sit both on the European and the Global R&D Leadership Teams.
“With the new Technical Centers we have created one global R&D team which brings together the very best people and technologies across the US, Europe, China and Indonesia, and in doing so we are becoming a strong technology driven partner of the automotive industry,” said Mr. Phang.
“The appointments of Stefan and Hamid clearly highlight the excellent worldwide reputation of the company, and also its ambitions moving forward,” added Mr. Richert. “They are welcome additions to what is an already exceptional worldwide R&D team.”