Pirelli to Increase its Manufacturing Capacity in United States by 20%
Milan, October 2008 - Pirelli, continuing its expansion in the United States, announces a $15 million investment that will boost manufacturing capacity by 20% at its MIRS? (Modular Integrated Robotized System) factory in Rome, Georgia. The factory produces high performance tires for the North American market using state-of-the-art technology.
The announcement has been made at Pirelli's world headquarters in Milan during Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue's economic development mission to Europe.
The investment will increase the number of MIRS? production lines from four to five. MIRS? is the world's most advanced robotized system for manufacturing high performance tires. The Rome facility produces tires for both original equipment and replacement markets in North America.
Pirelli's decision to increase production of high performance tires in Georgia is part of its North American growth strategy begun at the start of the decade. Over the past three years Pirelli has seen large gains in its North American market share with a 30% sales increase, and now supplies its ultra-high performance tires to some of GM and Ford's highest performing car models, the new Camaro and Mustang respectively, as well as Mercedes and BMW transplant models.
MIRS?, inaugurated in 2000, is a highly automated system that allows for flexible and rapid response to market demand, making it possible to operate efficiently even in markets where the cost of labor is high. Robots manage the entire production cycle without interruption, and without having to move semi-finished products. There is no need for intermediate warehousing phases, thereby maximizing energy efficiency during the manufacturing process. Integrated software coordinates all steps of production starting with product design, thus cutting costs and production time.
Pirelli Tire North America designs, develops, manufactures and markets tires for passenger vehicles, motorcycles and race cars for original equipment and replacement markets. Located in Rome, Georgia, Pirelli's Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS?) employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture tires for both export and domestic markets. For more information please visit www.us.pirelli.com.