ZC Rubber named Martin Wells (Right) as its new vice president global OE and Jörn Tietjens (Left) as key account manager OE and automotive engineer, both at the new Europe Technical Center.

Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd (ZC Rubber) has launched its new Europe Technical Center (ETC) in Hanover, Germany. The ETC officially started operations on November 1 of this year.

The Europe Technical Center will provide major technical support to ZC Rubber's head R&D Center in China, focusing on global original equipment project development that benchmarks evolving tire technologies and helps raise the standard for new product performance.

ZC Rubber also has named Martin Wells as its new Vice President Global OE and Jörn Tietjens as Key Account Manager OE and Automotive Engineer, both at the new Europe Technical Center. 

Mr. Wells will oversee all work at ETC, including OE project development and account management on a global basis, and will be in charge of the company's OE business. He formerly worked for six years as Director KAM OEM at Giti Tire R&D Centre (Europe) GmbH and has substantial experience in the European OEM business, particularly with Volkswagen Group. He is also a senior expert in the field of VDA auditing.

Mr. Tietjens will be responsible for developing, testing, and marketing new products to Key OE accounts, as well as coordinating commercial and technical support in order to meet all customer-related targets. He previously served as Key Account Manager OE and Automotive Engineer OE in Giti Tire R&D Centre Europe, where he had a strong record of increasing customer relations and successful management of several OE projects within the VW Group.

"As the world's ninth-largest tire manufacturer, ZC Rubber's Europe Technical Center is one of our most valuable assets," stated Mr. Shen Jinrong, chairman of Zhongce Rubber Group. "With the new Europe Technical Center, ZC Rubber will be able to create cutting-edge technologies not only for our OEM partners but also to raise the standard on new product performance. We are glad to have Mr. Wells and Mr. Tietjens spearheading our efforts at Europe Technical Center."

ZC Rubber now supplies original equipment tires to a number of well-known automakers, including Ford, Volvo, Hyundai, and KIA Motors, among others, many of whom have recognized the excellence of ZC Rubber's products.

"The OE business is critical because it not only allows us to partner with the world's leading automakers, but it also enables us to expand our replacement business." With the establishment of the Europe Technical Center, ZC Rubber looks forward to extending its OE portfolio and collaborating with the world's leading automakers in the future.