You might not be familiar with Kenda Tires USA, but now you'll discover the inspiring journey of a Taiwanese immigrant who built a thriving international business in the United States. Mr. Jimmy Yang, the founder and President of Kenda USA, unveiled his remarkable business journey and the significant employment opportunities he created in the USA.
Mr. Yang's path to success began when he completed his graduate studies in New York in 1982. Following his studies, he conducted a meticulous market analysis to identify the ideal location for launching his tire business. His choice was Columbus, Ohio, based on the rich pool of resources in the area. This included the presence of the University of Akron, which produced numerous technical engineers in the rubber industry, and the proximity of tire manufacturers around the Akron region. It was at this juncture that Mr. Yang decided to expand Kenda Tires, his family business in Taiwan, and established Kenda USA in Columbus, Ohio.
Initially starting with just four employees, Mr. Yang has since generated more than 600 jobs and achieved annual sales exceeding $500 million in the U.S. In 2022, he received the golden award Taiwan Prime, held by Overseas Community Affairs Council, R.O.C. (Taiwan), for his innovative Non-Pneumatic tires.
The evolution of Kenda USA's business journey is remarkable. Beginning with four employees in a small rented warehouse in downtown Columbus in 1982, it grew into a 14,000-square-foot facility with eight employees by 1985. In 1988, Mr. Yang inaugurated the first warehouse at a spacious 16-acre lot at Americana Pkwy in suburban Columbus, successfully developing the area under Americana Development Inc., an investment holding company associated with Kenda USA. In 1991, Kenda USA expanded further, constructing a second warehouse spanning 60,000 square feet. By 2000, Kenda USA occupied over 200,000 square feet of space at its Columbus headquarters, employing more than 70 staff members.
In addition to expanding its warehouses in Columbus, Kenda USA established the Technical Research Center in Canton, Ohio, in 2014, staffed with five engineers. The choice of Canton was strategic, given Akron's status as the primary hub for rubber businesses, including BF Goodrich, Goodyear, General, and Firestone.
Kenda USA's success is grounded in its core values of mutual respect, profit-sharing with local staff, and a commitment to honesty. The company treats its employees like family, offering competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and a great working environment. Remarkably, Kenda USA managed to avoid layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing a rotating work schedule.
The company also actively collaborates with educational institutions, such as the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, for study abroad programs. Furthermore, Job Ohio provided up to $1 million in tax credits over a decade to incentivize Kenda USA's ongoing investments in Ohio.
From 1994 to the present day, Kenda USA's growth trajectory has been impressive. It established Americana Tire and Wheel as an assembly company in 1994, with five plants and over 120 employees across various locations. In 1998, Kenda acquired Monitor Wheel Manufacturing businesses in the Atlanta, Georgia, experiencing more than 30-fold growth with 150 employees. In 1999, the acquisition of Martin Wheel in Tallmadge, Ohio, led to rapid growth of over six times in the lawn and garden tires and wheel assembly business. In 2004, the acquisition of Dexstar in Elkhart, Indiana, a trailer wheel manufacturing company, resulted in more than threefold growth with about 100 employees.
Kenda Taiwan, which was founded in 1962, has now expanded its operational bases to over 30 countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Europe, and the USA, employing a diverse team of over 14,000 individuals.
Darrell Ruthrauff, President of Martin Wheel Co. (Kenda Tire and Wheel), has been with the company for 27 years, witnessing significant growth and success after Kenda USA's acquisition. He emphasizes that it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, with all employees remaining on board. Darrell's responsibilities include reporting total sales based on budget projections to headquarters, making management-level hiring recommendations, and determining bonuses based on performance evaluation and profit metrics. The introduction of innovative products like the no-flat wheel continues to boost revenue, and plans are underway to consolidate three other warehouse locations into a new distribution center, providing more space for the company's 100 employees in offices and manufacturing facilities.
Mr. Jimmy Yang, in an interview with The New York Times titled "How Taiwan Became a Global Leader in Premium Bicycles," emphasized Taiwan Excellence's goal of "Innovation for a better world" and highlighted the collaboration between leading Taiwanese brands Giant Bicycle Group and Kenda Tire in advancing the bicycle industry value chain and fostering cycling culture through Taipei's YouBike bike-sharing network.
Furthermore, Mr. Jimmy Yang actively participates in the community by sponsoring various initiatives, including Ohio State University's football team, the PGA golf tournament, the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2016 NBA Championship, and a bike trail in a Columbus park. He has a loving family, including his wife Dolly and their children in Columbus, all of whom graduated from Columbus public schools and have gone on to achieve successful careers. The Yang family firmly believes in giving back to the society from which they have benefited.
In summary, Mr. Jimmy Yang's journey to establishing a successful business with Kenda USA is a testament to his dedication, humility, and strong family values. His commitment to his employees and the community has played a significant role in the company's remarkable growth and enduring success.
For more information about Kenda USA, visit their website: Kenda USA Website
You can also read about Mr. Jimmy Yang's insights in The New York Times article: How Taiwan Became a Global Leader in Premium Bicycles
