Agricultural tire manufacturer Mitas is expected to begin test production at its Charles City plant today. The Czech-based company, one of the largest in Europe, purchased a former Winnebago Industries building in 2009 and invested nearly $50-million to renovate it.

Charles City’s economic development director, Tim Fox, says it culminates of a lot of effort to get the plant going. “It’s been over two years, but it doesn’t seem nearly that long. I think mostly that’s because it’s been very enjoyable working with the company. The personnel are very professional, they are very considerate, they’re very gracious, yet they like to have fun,”Fox says.

Mitas spokesperson Tomas Hanacek says the Iowa plant will be the third U.S based producer of farm implement tires. He says they specialize in the production of big tires, for tractors, combines and harvesters. The Iowa Department of Economic Development awarded the company $924,000 to support 154 of the 192 jobs to be created as full production begins in the April.