Expansion Management

Trelleborg Wheel Systems Opens First North American Facility for Agricultural Tires

May 8, 2014

The $50 million investment is expected to create approximately 150 jobs by 2018.

The new facility of off-road tires supplier, Trelleborg Wheel Systems, located on the company’s existing premises in Spartanburg, S.C., will be will be strategically important to the company's growth, supporting the company's global production of radial tires for both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and tire dealers.

Production of these agricultural equipment tires is expected to commence in late 2015.

This location, announced on May 7, will be the company’s first North American manufacturing facility to produce radial tires for agricultural machinery.

The $50 million investment is expected to create approximately 150 jobs by 2018.

The new, 430,000-square-foot facility will be located on Trelleborg's existing premises in Spartanburg, which includes Trelleborg Coated Systems US, Inc. The location will provide Trelleborg Wheel Systems advantages in supplying the North American agricultural equipment market by introducing domestic manufacturing of the tire line.

"In coming to Spartanburg County, we'll be located in a modern facility in a prime location, capitalizing on existing partnership agreements with major OEMs and distributors while facilitating the transfer of technology from one part of the world to another,” said Maurizio Vischi, president of the Trelleborg Wheel Systems Business Area. “Although we already sell our products in the United States and Canada, local production offers considerably more favorable conditions, thus enhancing our competitiveness."

The new machinery, which will also be installed by 2018, will cater to market growth and ensure that OEMs, dealers and farmers alike benefit from Trelleborg's proximity and product availability, the company said.

Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas is a division of the Italy-based Trelleborg Wheel Systems business area, which is part of the Trelleborg Group. Founded in 1905 it has annual global sales of $3.3 billion. The parent company is headquartered in Trelleborg, Sweden and has more than 15,000 employees in over 40 countries with approximately 90 manufacturing plants worldwide.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.