Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd. has selected a site in Mocksville, N.C., as the preferred base for the retreading plant it is planning to open to serve customers throughout the Americas.

Final approval of the site, however, depends on the company's gaining state funding for the modernization of a vacant industrial building at the location in Davie County, N.C., Dunlop Aircraft Tyres said.

“Subject to approval of the funding, we will start work to modernize and equip the site as soon as possible and plan to open for business in early 2016,” said Ian Edmondson chairman of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, in a prepared statement.

The plan is to create at least 40 jobs within the first two years of operation, with more likely to follow as the operation grows its presence in the market, Mr. Edmondson said.

The Birmingham-based aircraft tire maker and retreader disclosed plans recently to establish the facility in order to improve its competitiveness across the Americas.

In 2009, the company opened in China a similar tire distribution and retreading facility that now employs nearly 60.

Davie County Economic Development has not commented publicly on Dunlop Aircraft Tyres' announcement.

New aircraft tires will continue to be manufactured at the company's Birmingham plant, according to the tire company.

Source: tirebusiness.com