Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
web
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • ITEC
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Latex
    • Coronavirus
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Technical Notebooks
    • International Elastomer Show
    • Women in Tire & Rubber
    • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Goodyear recognized by Lockheed Martin as 'elite supplier'
      EV tire advancements to help secure future
      Lambillotte: Only question on AVs is timing
      CAR official says EV future brighter than autonomous
    • Smithers webinars focus on performance materials in green tires
      Ford to close 3 plants, end production in Brazil, costing $4.1 billion
      Study: Vehicle buyers cling to familiarity amid pandemic
      Kumho launches commercial LT, performance tire lines
    • Smithers webinars focus on performance materials in green tires
      Ferentino Tyre opens Sri Lanka plant; eyes exports to U.S., Europe
      Kumho launches commercial LT, performance tire lines
      Taiwan tire makers propose settlement of import duties case
    • JobsOhio funding gives Sperry & Rice room to grow
      TRAC's Glenn Maidment caps 51-year rubber industry career
      LafargeHolcim looks to solidify U.S. presence with Firestone Building Products purchase
      Hankook Tire holding company adopts Hankook & Co. identity
    • Smithers webinars focus on performance materials in green tires
      Endurica earns prestigious Tibbetts Award from SBA
      Kuraray to raise elastomer prices again
      Synthomer optimistic, raises earnings forecast
    • Safic-Alcan extends distribution agreement with Momentive
      Momentive aims to grow silicone presence in Asia-Pacific region
      IRP Medical solidifies portfolio with KDL deal
      Rubber lab services firm Ace reports record year
    • ASTM cancels April meetings as COVID-19 continues impact
      Paycheck Protection Program funding reopens Jan. 15
      Detroit Auto Show canceled; alternative event being planned for September
      Top Glove reopens COVID-hit factories with enhanced precautions
    • Jack Murphy joins Akron Dispersions
      Adriano Alfani named Versalis CEO
      Maroon Group adds to Southeast sales team
      ASTM taps rubber executive as new board member
    • Paycheck Protection Program funding reopens Jan. 15
      Taiwan tire makers propose settlement of import duties case
      Lobbying group unveils policy agenda to speed transition to EVs
      NADA, bank group to assess political contributions after U.S. Capitol siege
    • Column: Pandemic looms over everything in life, business in 2020
      Column: Lessons from the 2020 Best Places to Work
      Editorial: Silicone hit hard by pandemic, expected to bounce back
      Column: Still far way from normal
    • Effects of multiple repurposed materials for reinforcements of standard rubber compounds
      Impact of peroxide blends on the cure rate and aged properties in HNBR
      Techniques to detect long chain branching in polymers
      A comparative study looking at effects of curing kinetics and batch variation on SBR injection molding and numerical analytics
    • WORD panelists say evolution, authenticity keys to success
      IEC keynote: Communication key to logistics
      IEC speaker: Specialized elastomers may reduce spread of life-threatening pathogens
      Rubber Division seeking abstracts for Spring Technical Meeting
    • WORD panelists say evolution, authenticity keys to success
      New video celebrates women in rubber industry
      ITEC panelists say women can thrive in tire industry
      Rubber Division planning second Women of Rubber event
    • Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Faster Access to Your Polymer Compounding Experts Around the World
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Take a walk thru a HEXPOL Lab
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      HEXPOL offers a unique selection of High Performance Elastomers to match your application requirements
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      It’s what you can’t see that makes the Difference at HEXPOL
  • Blogs
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
    • New Products: MonTech introduces 1,500 kN lab press
      New products: 3M introduces new durable, pliable medical adhesive
      New Products: Lanxess launches energy-efficient PU elastomer
      New Products: MonTech automates bale cutter for safety, productivity
    • Wacky World of Rubber: How Trelleborg, teens sealed a spot in the world record book
      Wacky World of Rubber: Of chicken and feet, but not chicken feet
      Wacky World of Rubber: Time to go mattress shopping
      Wacky World of Rubber: Because nothing says football like 'frunk' shrimp
  • Newsletters
    • Rubber in Automotive
    • Silicone News
    • Latex News
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Smithers webinars focus on performance materials in green tires
      Ford to close 3 plants, end production in Brazil, costing $4.1 billion
      Study: Vehicle buyers cling to familiarity amid pandemic
      Kumho launches commercial LT, performance tire lines
    • Safic-Alcan extends distribution agreement with Momentive
      Momentive aims to grow silicone presence in Asia-Pacific region
      IRP Medical solidifies portfolio with KDL deal
      Rubber lab services firm Ace reports record year
    • Jack Murphy joins Akron Dispersions
      Synthomer optimistic, raises earnings forecast
      Top Glove reopens COVID-hit factories with enhanced precautions
      Malaysia electronics group to enter rubber gloves sector
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Directory
  • Resources
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
    • Sponsored By HB Chemical
      The Company Behind the Inventory
      Sponsored By French Oil Mill Machinery
      Process Improvement, Cost Reduction with Custom Press Systems
    • Sponsored By Uncountable Inc.
      Cooper Standard deploys lab informatics platform to synchronize R&D
      Sponsored By Elkem
      LSR Selectâ„¢: A solution to improve your financial impact in molding applications
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Peroxide Cureable Silicone Injection Molding
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Understanding and Selecting Performance Additives for Rubber Compounding
  • Data
  • Events
    • RPN Events
    • RPN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • ITEC Library
    • International Silicone Conference Library
    • 2021 Healthcare Elastomers Virtual Edition
      2021 Rubber in Automotive Virtual Edition
      2020 International Silicone Conference Virtual Edition
      2020 ITEC Virtual Edition
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
March 26, 2018 02:00 AM

Hankook looks for growth in 2018

Kyle Brown
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    An overhead view of Hankook's new production plant in Clarksville, Tenn.

    CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.—Following on opening its first North American production plant, Hankook Tire America Corp. is planning for more growth in 2018.

    That includes making more tires in the U.S. that are tailored for the U.S. market, Jay Kim, vice president of corporate strategy, said in an email interview.

    The new 1.5 million-sq.-ft. production plant was officially unveiled in October of last year, and Hankook already has hired more than 1,000 workers for manufacturing and plant management positions.

    "We are making thousands of tires every day thanks to a vibrant, productive employee base. We have built close relationships with state and local leaders and community organizations," Kim said. "We have enhanced our relationships with customers by shortening distribution lead times and producing high-quality products built for American roads."

    Kim said Hankook chose Clarksville for the facility primarily because of its strong work force.

    "The area is producing talent at a rapid pace, thanks to the Fort Campbell Military Base, Austin Peay State University and the outstanding local school system," he said.

    Hankook received local and state incentives focused on helping hire and train workers for the facility, with the bulk of the funding coming in the form of reimbursements for the investments made to strengthen the local community, Kim said.

    "As a result, we are essentially incentivized for the positive economic impact we provide Clarksville and the state," he said.

    The new facility is in its first phase, and Hankook is planning a second, which would enable it to increase production volume and distribution. The plant can produce about 5.5 million tires per year, and Phase 2 will "essentially double that capacity," Kim said.

    "Rising demand for Hankook products is driving us to bolster our production and distribution processes, and we are eager to rise to that challenge," he said.

    Phase 2, an investment of about $800 million committed to the state, will create about 800 new jobs, Kim said. No timeline for the second phase was disclosed.

    Hankook Tire America Corp.

    Hankook Tire executives and dealers join state and local government officials to celebrate the grand opening of the Tennessee Plant with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Clarksville, Tenn.

    "The main benefits will be higher production volume and a more diverse array of products made locally," Kim said.

    Hankook does not have concrete plans for any additional phases at this time, although the plant site has space "to expand our facility as demand for our product dictates," Kim said. The profitability of the first two phases will determine future expansions.

    New U.S. tires

    The Clarksville plant is one piece in Hankook's growth strategy, with an aggressive market penetration strategy within the American tire market, according to a Hankook release. The Kinergy PT (H737) is another part of that strategy, made exclusively at the Clarksville plant, and launched in September 2017.

    The tire uses a specially formulated tire compound to enhance traction in all conditions, and a strong rolling resistance profile to improve mileage performance, according to Hankook.

    "The Kinergy PT is among the highest-rated tires in the industry," Kim said. "It has an elite (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) rating of 860/A/A and has received acclaim from our customers and end-users. As a premium touring all-season tire, it has been very competitive in its market segment."

    Hankook is planning to produce more tires stateside in the future, though Kim did not disclose details.

    "We are excited to introduce other tire offerings that maintain the same elite standards for quality and performance," he said.

    The company also is making research and development a high priority with a focus on innovation, Kim said.

    Hankook also made new original equipment relationships in 2017, making more connections in the U.S. tire market. In October, Hankook said it would serve as the main OE supplier for the Honda Accord, fitting the Kinergy GT model, according to the company. It said it also would equip select models of the 2018 Toyota Camry with the Kinergy GT.

    Hankook also delivered a new tire with a sound-absorbing "silent foam" for the 2018 Nissan Rogue SV, according to the company.

    In addition, it was a General Motors Supplier of the Year last year for the first time in the company's history, Kim said.

    DAV flicker

    Hankook Tire America Corp.continued its partnership with DAV this year. During a May 20 pre-game ceremony at Great American Ball Park, Jae Bum Park, Hankook Tire America senior vice president, presented Dave Riley, DAV national commander, with a $150,000 check to support veterans through mobility.

    "Auto makers are more aware of our product quality than ever before, and that's bearing itself out in the OE market," Kim said. "We have continued to aggressively pursue new relationships, such as our recently announced fitment on the Lincoln Navigator. Several more OE partnerships are in discussion. We are eager to announce some new relationships soon."

    Strengthening partnerships with auto makers is a step toward cementing a reputation for performance and durability, increasing market visibility, Kim said.

    Helping out veterans

    Another aspect of that visibility is continuing the company's relationship with Disabled American Veterans, an organization that provides support to veterans and their families. Hankook marked its third year with DAV in 2017, hosting mobile service offices around the U.S. The MSO program travels to smaller towns and rural communities to assist and educate veterans and their families about available benefits and services. Hankook hosted six MSO stops last year, including Fayetteville, N.C., and Yucca Valley, Calif.

    The MSO stops last year served three times as many more veterans than they did in 2016, when Hankook sponsored four stops, the company said.

    "Hankook America is passionate about doing our part to show our gratitude to the men and women who serve this country," Kim said.

    Hankook has plans to expand its relationship with DAV going forward, but Kim was unable to disclose more details.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber & Plastics News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber & Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber & Plastics News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    web
    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Contact the Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • ITEC
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Latex
      • Coronavirus
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Technical Notebooks
      • International Elastomer Show
      • Women in Tire & Rubber
      • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Blogs
      • Products
      • Wacky World of Rubber
    • Newsletters
      • Rubber in Automotive
      • Silicone News
      • Latex News
      • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Multimedia
      • Videos
      • Photo Galleries
    • Directory
    • Resources
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Data
    • Events
      • RPN Events
      • RPN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • ITEC Library
      • International Silicone Conference Library
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION