Giti Tire welcomed U.S. Senator Tim Scott yesterday for a tour of the company’s new 1.7 million square-foot facility located in Chester County.
Sen. Scott, from South Carolina, got a “crash course” in tire making and manufacturing at Giti Tire’s newest and most advanced tire manufacturing facility. He also spoke to many employees during the tour and came away very impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication of the Giti team.
One of the employees in the final inspection area jokingly said that if Sen. Scott stuck around any longer she would put him to work! At that, the senator pulled off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves and said, “I’m ready!”
“I found the Giti employees to be friendly and professional,” Sen. Scott said. “They are very happy to be here, and I can see why. It is a very clean and healthy environment . . . a great example of the future in manufacturing.”
In remarks at the plant, Scott said it was important for the U.S. to attract companies like Giti Tire, which want to invest in American manufacturing facilities.
Known for his pro-business approach, Sen. Scott said he was excited to hear that the plant is expected to create 1,700 local jobs once it reaches full capacity. “It’s a great time to be an American company,” he said. “Creating a pro-business environment like we have here in South Carolina is an important part of the equation in creating highly skilled and qualified jobs like they have here at the Giti Tire plant.”
The plant has begun producing passenger and light truck tires for the U.S. market. The company’s first manufacturing plant in the U.S. was announced in June 2014 and groundbreaking began in 2015. The company celebrated a “Creating Jobs in America” event with Walmart in October 2017.
“It was a real honor to host Sen. Scott today,” said Hank Eisenga, vice president of manufacturing for GITI Tire Manufacturing (USA) Ltd. “He spent a lot of time speaking with employees, and I believe got a good sense of what makes this plant so special – the combination of very dedicated people and world-class tire manufacturing technology. “
Eisenga added, “We appreciate the senator’s support and all the support we’ve received from the local community and state officials. We’re very pleased to call South Carolina home!”
