Pirelli & Cie SpA has opened a new research and development center at its consumer tire plant in Silao, Mexico.
The center is part of a $15 million investment Pirelli is making in the complex.
"Mexico represents a strategic area for Pirelli's activities in North and Central America," says Claudio Zanardo, president and CEO of Pirelli North America.
"Over the years, the Silao plant has made an important contribution to the success of Pirelli's global strategy," which is focused "on high-value," he adds.
"With the inauguration of this new research and development center, our goal is to increase Pirelli's technological competitiveness throughout North America."
Enrico Verdino, CEO of Pirelli Mexico, says that over the past 11 years, the Silao plant "has grown at an incredible speed, going from a production capacity of around 1.5 million tires to a capacity today of 7.6 million tires.
"The new R&D center will allow us to develop premium products using cutting-edge and increasingly sustainable technologies, but also to attract and develop new, highly specialized local talent."