Tire curing press, mold maker Uzer Makina opens U.S. office

KOCAELI, Turkey—Tire curing solutions provider Uzer Makina has opened a U.S. sales office as it aims to increase its business in North America.

Kocaeli-based Uzer Makina recently celebrated the official opening of its Uzer Americas Trading Inc. site in Naples, Fla.

The Turkish firm was founded in 1978 and serves the global tire industry with two categories of products: tire curing presses and tire curing molds.

"While the headquarters and production lines continue to serve as the same (in Turkey), the Florida office serves as Uzer Makina's sales and project management center for the whole North American continent," the firm said in a news release. "The main goal is to get in touch with customers easily and to be able to provide quick service."

And to follow up on the new sales office, Uzer Makina said it also is searching for a site to open a workshop in the U.S. It added that this would allow the company to give immediate support to its customers for such things as mold and press maintenance; press installation and commissioning; aftermarket sales; and spare parts, among other services.

Uzer Makina officials said the workshop may be made from scratch, or by utilizing an existing workshop. They added that they are looking to collaborate with business partners that would contribute to Uzer Makina's growth in the U.S.

In addition, the company hired Ozcan Demirbas as general manger of Uzer Americas. He has more than 28 years of experience in the industry.

"Mr. Demirbas has global tire industry experience working in plants of top tire companies all over the world, and now he will work for the success of Uzer Makina in (North America)," the firm said in its release. He can be reached at [email protected].

Tarık Ayasun also will serve as a sales representative for the U.S. business unit.

Uzer Makina has four plants and more than 400 employees, according to its website.