Sumitomo Rubber Industries to open technical center in Western New York

Getzville, NY – It’s being reported by local news outlets that Sumitomo Rubber Industries is going to open a new technical center in Getzville, Western New York, aimed at strengthening its research and development capabilities across the Americas. The facility will focus on tire design and testing for passenger, motorcycle, and light truck tires, serving markets in both North and South America.

The center will support a wide range of functions including technical benchmarking, product design, simulation and analysis, materials development, and on-vehicle testing. It is expected to employ around 40 engineers and salaried professionals, with an additional 10 staff members based at the company’s test track in Huntsville, Alabama.

Wataru Isaka, Senior Vice President of SRI America, emphasized the center’s role in advancing the company’s regional efforts and creating “dynamic employment opportunities” for local talent and students from partner institutions.

This investment comes in the wake of Sumitomo’s Tonawanda plant closure in November 2024, which resulted in the loss of 1,550 jobs. The new technical center signals a renewed commitment to innovation and regional engagement, despite recent restructuring.