'A very good investment.' Kenda Rubber hosts 60th anniversary event at Green facility

GREEN – Since 2014, Kenda Rubber has invested $20 million at its research and development center for North American operations.

"It's turned out to be a very good investment," Jimmy Yang, chairman and chief executive officer for Kenda, said during a tour of the Kenda American Technical Center at 5801 Mayfair Road.

Yang visited the facility last week to mark the 60th anniversary of Kenda's founding in Yuanlin, Taiwan. Chi-Pao Yang, the father of Jimmy Yang, started the business with 50 employees making tubes and tires for bicycles.

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Kenda has grown into a global operation with 13,000 employees. The company makes tires for practically every type of vehicle with the exception of large machinery and airplanes. Kenda is a market leader supplying tires in the bicycle, lawn equipment and golf cart segments.

The company entered the North American market during the 1980s, setting up in the Columbus area because of the proximity to bicycle and lawn equipment companies. In 1998, Kenda bought Tallmadge-based Martin Wheel Co., which makes industrial wheels and components for the outdoor power equipment, trailers, material handling and golf cart industries.

The region's ties to the rubber industry made the Akron area an obvious location for Kenda American Technology Center.

"Akron is the capital city of the tire industry in North America," Yang said, noting the importance of the University of Akron's polymer science programs.

About 50 engineers and technicians work at the facility, testing all types of tires made by Kenda, as well as products made by competitors. Researchers here collaborate with counterparts at Kenda technology facilities in Taiwan, Germany and China.

The facility is equipped with tools for designing tires, as well as testing. Focusing on testing helps Kenda improve and develop better products, said Tom Williams, vice president of engineering.

The research also allows Kenda to design new products in a shorter time frame, said Brandon Stotsenburg, vice president for automotive.

Yang said work at the research center helps the company understand why tires function and wear, as well as understand the materials used to make the tire.

"That has improved the overall Kenda technology," Yang said. "That's what makes the Kenda brand stronger and stronger."

Farmers National appoints Shrivers as leader for Canton, Akron markets

Williams C. Shivers didn't stay retired for very long.

Farmers National Banc Corp., based in Canfield, has named Shivers as a senior vice president and regional president. He will be responsible for growth in the Canton, Akron and Cleveland markets, as well as managing lending and business development.

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Shivers retired from Huntington Bank in March as president of the Columbus-based bank's Canton and Mahoning Valley operations. He brings 30 years of banking experience to the position at Farmers National.

Shivers replaces Joseph Gerzina, who helped Farmers National establish an office in North Canton in 2011 and built the bank's operations in Stark County. Gerzina retired last week after 40 years in the banking industry.

Farmers also named Michael Mudrak as senior vice president and market president for Canton, and Patrick Renner as vice president and regional credit officer. Mudrak has spent nearly 30 years in banking in various roles, while Renner has been in banking for nearly 25 years and previously worked as team leader of commercial portfolio management in Huntington Bank's Canton and Mahoning Valley region.

Shivers, Mudrak and Renner will be based in Farmers' Canton regional office at 4518 Fulton Drive NW in Jackson Township. Farmers also has offices in Massillon and Alliance.

Peoples Services among warehousing leaders, trade publication reports

Logistics and warehousing industry publication Transport Topics included Peoples Services among its top rankings for 2022.

Peoples Services ranked 29th of 71 companies for providing dry storage warehousing and 15th among 16 providing refrigerated warehousing. The warehousing operations are part of Total Distribution Inc., a division of Peoples Services.

The company specializes in commodities such as chemicals, plastics, consumer goods and foods. Services include warehouse inventory management, food-grade warehouses, cross-docking and transloading, value-added automotive assembly, and drumming and packaging facilities. The company also has a fleet of trucks and food-grade trailers.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Kenda American Technical Center in Green marks company's 60 years