Birmingham-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has boosted its global presence with the appointment of a new technical sales manager for the Americas.

Ken Hutchins joins the world's only specialist aircraft tyre manufacturer with a wealth of experience in the aviation industry, having previously worked for aircraft wheels and brakes companies Goodrich and Messier-Bugatti.

Based in Houston, Texas, and reporting to Dunlop Aircraft Tyres' sales and marketing director David Skepper, Ken will drive sales of the company's products throughout North America and the fast-expanding South American markets.

"Ken's appointment is a key part of our strategy to grow our international business," said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres' chairman, Ian Edmondson.

"With Ken's support we will be looking to become an even stronger force across North America, the world's largest commercial aircraft market and we are also excited about developing a presence in South America."

During the last 18 months, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has opened a distribution and retreading facility in China to cater for the market in Asia Pacific and expanded its new product testing and production capability by acquiring equipment from The Yokohama Rubber Company.

The company has also expanded its product range with new radial and bias tyres for a number of commercial aeroplanes, including the ATR42 regional turboprop as well as the CRJ1000 Next Gen regional jet.