Sumitomo opens tire factory in Paraná.

Paraná News Agency - Governor Beto Richa participated this Thursday (October 3rd), along with the global president of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ikuji Ikeda, in the inauguration of the multinational's factory in Fazenda Rio Grande, in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba. The tire unit is the Japanese company's first outside of Asia.

The factory has the capacity to manufacture 15 tires per day, under the Dunlop (utility vehicle line) and Falken (high-performance line) brands. The investment in the plant was R$ 750 million and will create 1.500 jobs by 2017.

The project received support from the State Government through the Paraná Competitivo Program. "Another large company is setting up in Paraná, confirming the new reality of our State, with prosperity, development and job opportunities in all regions," said Governor Beto Richa.

Richa highlighted the social aspect of the project, with the creation of jobs, guaranteeing income and opportunities for local workers. Furthermore, the company intends to increase its purchase of raw materials produced in Paraná, which will result in more indirect jobs.

Sumitomo's president, Ikuji Ikeda, stated that the support and backing of the state government were indispensable to the company's decision to invest in Paraná. "I sincerely thank everyone for all the support we have received. We will be an important factor in the economic and social development of Paraná," ​​he said.

"We will be one of the largest companies collaborating in income generation, development, and prosperity for Paraná," ​​added the president of Sumitomo in Brazil, Ippei Oda.

BIGGEST INVESTMENT - The Sumitomo factory is the largest investment Fazenda Rio Grande has ever received. "It's a milestone in the development and growth process of our municipality," stated Mayor Marcio Wozniack. He said that the tire factory joins other industries that are expected to set up in the city in the coming months, generating almost ten thousand direct and indirect jobs.

The mayor thanked Governor Beto Richa for his direct commitment to bringing the company to Paraná and choosing Fazenda Rio Grande as its headquarters, recalling the tough competition to attract the Japanese company, as other municipalities in Paraná, São Paulo, and Santa Catarina also wanted the investment.

"It changes the history of our municipality by increasing our revenue and opening a window of possibilities. We wouldn't be here, seeing yet another dream realized, without the governor's decisive support," he said.

FACTORY – The unit is located in the industrial district of Fazenda Rio Grande, on a plot of land measuring 500 square meters. 84,5 square meters of that area is built-up. The industrial plant uses technology that does not generate pollutant emissions.

Initially, two thousand tires will be produced per day. The factory's capacity is 15 tires per day – a volume the company expects to reach by 2015. According to Renato Baroli, Marketing and Sales Director of Sumitomo in Brazil, the company expects to occupy 10% of the tire market by 2020.

Marco Túlio Dilelio, the company's Logistics Director, revealed that four automakers have already partnered with Dunlop. According to him, the Paraná automotive hub greatly contributes to the brand's arrival in the state. "We are close to two major automakers, and this facilitates logistics. This strengthening of the Paraná automotive hub is essential," he stated.

The Japanese are also studying the manufacture of truck tires in Brazil. Dilelio revealed that there is already a project under study. The assembly line would be implemented in the same factory unit. "We have sufficient area and it would be a continuation of the assembly line. We acquired an area of ​​this size already thinking about the company's own expansion," he said.

AUTOMOTIVE HUB Governor Beto Richa highlighted the growth of the automotive sector in Paraná, which, according to him, is becoming one of the largest automotive hubs in the country.

Richa cited other investments in the sector in the state, such as the inauguration of the Paccar factory in Ponta Grossa this Wednesday (2) and the announcement, last month, by the German company Audi, which formalized the investment of R$ 504 million to resume production of the A3 and the Q3 sports utility vehicle in Paraná.

In addition, there are Renault, Volvo, Fiat, Caterpillar, Nissan, Case New Holland, and the extensive network of suppliers and parts manufacturers located mainly in Curitiba and its metropolitan area. Data from the National Association of Automotive Vehicle Manufacturers (Anfavea) indicates that the Paraná automotive hub accounted for 15,4% of Brazilian production in 2012. This result was almost four percentage points higher than in 2010.

The ceremony was attended by the state secretaries of Finance, Luiz Carlos Hauly; Planning and General Coordination, Cassio Taniguchi; and Urban Development, Ratinho Junior; as well as federal and state deputies, businesspeople, and leaders from the region.