KOBE, Japan (Jan. 7, 2009) — Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. plans to set up a sales company in Chile later this year to sell replacement tires in Central and South America.
The move follows a similar decision last September to set up Sumitomo Rubber Middle East FZE in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to serve customers in the Middle East.
The company, to be located in Santiago, Chile, will be called Sumitomo Rubber Latin America Ltda. Sumitomo said the move would strengthen its sales in the region, which is expected to continue to show demand growth. The firm did not disclose sales expectations for the new unit.
The unit will employ 17 when it opens for business in October, SRI said.