(Akron, Ohio -) Mayor Donald Plusquellic announced today that Quality Mold Incorporated, an Akron tire mold manufacturing company, will construct its new corporate headquarters and mold production facilities in the City of Akron's Massillon Road Industrial Park. The Quality Mold facility is the first project within the 165 acre City-owned industrial development on Massillon Road north of Killian Road. The development is located in the Springfield-Akron Joint Economic Development District, created in 1994.

The company was established in Akron in 1978 to service Akron's tire producers. Today the company is a supplier to virtually every tire manufacturer in over 45 countries throughout the world. The company is currently the largest tire mold producer in the world which is not owned by a tire manufacturer. Quality Mold's vertical integration of the mold-making process, from design and engineering to the finished tire mold, has enabled the company to build successful business partnerships worldwide. The company has the capability today to produce over 3,000 molds annually for automobile, truck and bus, off-road, motorcycle, bicycle, agricultural and aircraft tires.

The planned 78,000 square foot facility will be constructed in 1999 at an estimated cost of $2.5 million on a 12 acre parcel. The company will consolidate several facilities throughout Ohio at the new location, basing 160 employees in the new building. The 12 acre site is sufficiently sized to permit future expansion to at least 150,000 square feet. Quality Mold projects employment growth to 250 within 5 years at the new facility.

Recent business growth has necessitated consolidated and larger facilities. Quality Mold President and CEO Steve Zoumberakis noted the value of an Akron location to the company's international marketing. Mayor Plusquellic said, "Quality Mold's growth within the world business community demonstrates the vitality of Akron's polymer industry. The skills of Akron's metalworking and polymer employees have enabled this company and others like it to thrive in this area. Community leaders have recognized the need to support the continued growth and improvement of employees and their job skills which are essential to the economic health of the region. Akron welcomes Quality Mold's investment as the first company to locate in the Massillon Road Industrial Park."

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1/20/99