European Technical Centre for Cooper Tires in Melksham

Cooper Tires has increased its commitment to the European market by announcing that its UK factory in Melksham, Wiltshire, will be the home for a prestigious new European Technical Centre (ETC) that will be the hub of the company’s activities on the continent.

The ETC will be responsible for all elements of the design and development of products manufactured at Melksham, primarily high-performance passenger vehicle tyres in both Cooper and Avon brands.

Englishman, Marcus Hancock, who currently works for parent company, Cooper Tires, in America, will take up his new role as general manager of the Centre on February 5 at the UK arm’s headquarters.

Cooper Tire Europe, managing director, Julian Baldwin said: “This is an important investment for us, and proves that we are committed to producing quality European performance products for European roads. It is also a big boost to the British workforce in Melksham, who will once again spearhead the design and development process for the company.”

Tyre applications development manager, Paul Sketchley, and technical services manager, Gavin Edwards, will support Hancock.