CLEVELAND—Kenda Tire USA Inc. has struck a deal to become an official partner of the Cleveland Indians through the end of the 2017 Major League Baseball season.
Kenda will get TV-visible branded signage around home plate as well as baseline signage at Progressive Field, the Indians' home field, according to terms of the agreement.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"The MLB and the Cleveland Indians organization have always had a strong image and presence in the Ohio market, and last year's appearance in the World Series put the Indians on the world stage," Jimmy Yang, Kenda's president, said.
"We are always looking for opportunities to connect our brand not only in America, but also across the globe to our global headquarters in Taiwan and all 100-plus countries in between that we serve."
Kenda also has brand partnerships with the National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets, the National Hockey League's Columbus Blue Jackets and Ohio State University.
"We are excited to add Ohio-based U.S. headquarters Kenda Tires to the Indians team in anticipation of another exciting season at Progressive Field," Ted Baugh, Indians senior director of Corporate Partnerships and Premium Hospitality, said.
"We appreciate Kenda's strong support of the Indians to deliver their marketing objectives to Indians fans everywhere.We look forward to working together closely with them this season and beyond."
Kenda Tire USA, the Reynoldsburg, Ohio-based U.S. sales subsidiary of Taiwan's Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd., operates a second location in Ohio as well, its technical center in North Canton, Ohio.
Kenda manufactures tires and tubes for automotive, motorcycle, ATV, bicycle, wheel chair, golf car, lawn care equipment, trailer, skid loader and agricultural vehicles.