Hankook Tire
Encyclopedia
The Hankook Tire group, based in Seoul
, South Korea
is the seventh largest tire
company in the world. Established in 1941 as the Chosun Tire Company, it was renamed Hankook Tire Manufacturing in 1968.
Hankook Tire's worldwide reputation has largely grown due to its radial tire
and bias-ply tire production. The company now supplies tires as original equipment to the Hyundai Motor Company
, Toyota Motor Corporation
, Ford Motor Company
trucks, General Motors
trucks, International Truck and Engine Corporation, and others. In addition to producing about 50 million tires per annum, the company also sells batteries
, alloy wheel
s, and brake pads
.
Hankook Tire Co. has announced that the company will invest $353 million to build factory in West Java, Indonesia as part of a plan to become the 5th biggest tire manufacturer in the world. In June 9, 2011 a ground breaking ceremony has been held at 42-hectare area as a regional hub production for export to Asian, North America and Middle East countries.
"Hankook" means "Korea" in Korean.
These are quoted from Hankook's European website.
Through sales in more than 180 countries around the world, Hankook Tire is ranked seventh in global sales revenue.
The company has more than 14,000 employees in four regional headquarters, more than 20 overseas subsidiaries and five research and development centers around the world, and makes 70 percent of its revenue through overseas markets.
, and has manufacturing facilities in South Korea
, China
, and Hungary
.
. They supplied tires for the Primetime Race Group
that raced in the GT2 class of the American Le Mans Series
in 2008. They supplied tires from 2007–2009 for IMSA
Lites (now IMSA Prototype Lites
), a support series for the American Le Mans Series
. They also supply tires for the Hankook KTR team that races in the Super GT
and the Asian Le Mans Series
.
In rallying
, Hankook are the series sponsors of the Scottish Rally Championship
.
From 2011 Hankook will be supplying tires for DTM
.
in the AFL
.
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
is the seventh largest tire
Tire
A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
company in the world. Established in 1941 as the Chosun Tire Company, it was renamed Hankook Tire Manufacturing in 1968.
Hankook Tire's worldwide reputation has largely grown due to its radial tire
Radial tire
A radial tire is a particular design of automotive tire . In this design, the cord plies are arranged at 90 degrees to the direction of travel, or radially ....
and bias-ply tire production. The company now supplies tires as original equipment to the Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company is a Korean multinational automaker based in Seoul, South Korea which, along with Kia, comprises the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, the world's fourth largest automaker as of 2009. As of 2011, it is the world's fastest growing automaker for two years running...
, Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota Motor Corporation
, , , commonly known simply as Toyota and abbreviated as TMC, is a multinational automaker headquartered in Toyota, Aichi, Japan. In 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation employed 317,734 people worldwide, and was the world's largest automobile manufacturer by production.The company was founded by...
, Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
trucks, General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
trucks, International Truck and Engine Corporation, and others. In addition to producing about 50 million tires per annum, the company also sells batteries
Car battery
An automotive battery is a type of rechargeable battery that supplies electric energy to an automobile. Usually this refers to an SLI battery to power the starter motor, the lights, and the ignition system of a vehicle’s engine...
, alloy wheel
Alloy wheel
Alloy wheels are automobile wheels which are made from an alloy of aluminium or magnesium. They are typically lighter for the same strength...
s, and brake pads
Brake pads
Brake pads are a component of disk brakes used in automotive and other applications. Brake pads are steel backing plates with friction material bound to the surface that faces the disk brake rotor.- Function :...
.
Hankook Tire Co. has announced that the company will invest $353 million to build factory in West Java, Indonesia as part of a plan to become the 5th biggest tire manufacturer in the world. In June 9, 2011 a ground breaking ceremony has been held at 42-hectare area as a regional hub production for export to Asian, North America and Middle East countries.
Facts and figures
According to Modern Tire Dealer, Hankook's new tire sales for 2007 were $3.5 billion, a 20.7 percent Year-over-Year increase from 2006 ($2.9 billion)"Hankook" means "Korea" in Korean.
These are quoted from Hankook's European website.
- Sales: US$ 1,620 million /(approx. € 1,286 million)
- Export portion: US$ 700 million /(approx. € 556 million)
- Earnings before taxes: Won 101,5 million /(approx. € 96 million)
- Employees worldwide: 4,422 permanent staff
- Market presence: At present, Hankook tires are available in over 170 countries.
- Production locations:
- Geumsan, South Korea
- Daejeon, South Korea
- Jiangju, China
- Jianxing, China
- Dunaújváros, Hungary (started production in 2007)
- Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia ($353m plant is under construction)
Through sales in more than 180 countries around the world, Hankook Tire is ranked seventh in global sales revenue.
The company has more than 14,000 employees in four regional headquarters, more than 20 overseas subsidiaries and five research and development centers around the world, and makes 70 percent of its revenue through overseas markets.
Products
- Optimo Plus
- Optimo Classic
- Optimo Gold
- Optimo Green
- Opti Super
- Ventus
- Mileage Plus
- Sprinter
- Sprinter Ace
- Aurora
- Nordik
- Black Bird
- Hanta Brake Lining & Pad
- Atlas BX Battery
- Dynapro MT
- Ice Bear W300
Global offices
The company has its main office in South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, and has manufacturing facilities in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, and Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
.
Motorsports involvement
Hankook entered motorsports in Europe, North America, and in Asia. They signed with FBR (Farnbarcher Racing) to race a Ferrari F430 GT with Hankook Tires in the 2009 Le Mans Series season2009 Le Mans Series season
The 2009 Le Mans Series season was the sixth season of Automobile Club de l'Ouest's Le Mans Series. It was contested over five events between 5 April and 13 September 2009....
. They supplied tires for the Primetime Race Group
Primetime Race Group
The Primetime Race Group is a privateer motorsport team from Hollywood, Florida which currently competes in the American Le Mans Series and the International Motor Sports Association Lites Series, a support series of the ALMS....
that raced in the GT2 class of the American Le Mans Series
American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
in 2008. They supplied tires from 2007–2009 for IMSA
IMSA
IMSA can refer to:* International Management Systems Association, original name of the International Project Management Association * Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, a residential magnet school located in Aurora, Illinois...
Lites (now IMSA Prototype Lites
IMSA Prototype Lites
Cooper Tires Prototype Lites is a 14 race series featuring two classes of single-seat prototype cars racing simultaneously. The series is sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association . Most races are held in support of the American Le Mans Series...
), a support series for the American Le Mans Series
American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
. They also supply tires for the Hankook KTR team that races in the Super GT
Super GT
The Super GT series, formerly known as the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship or JGTC , is a grand touring car race series promoted by the GT-Association...
and the Asian Le Mans Series
Asian Le Mans Series
The Asian Le Mans Series is an Asian sports car racing endurance series created by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and based in Asia. It is the successor to the defunct Japan Le Mans Challenge which folded in 2007 after its second season...
.
In rallying
Rallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
, Hankook are the series sponsors of the Scottish Rally Championship
Scottish Rally Championship
The Scottish Rally Championship is a rallying series run throughout Scotland over the course of a year, that comprises seven gravel rallies and one tarmac event . Points are awarded to the top placed drivers and the driver scoring the highest number of points over the season is declared Champion...
.
From 2011 Hankook will be supplying tires for DTM
DTM
In sport:* Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, a motor-racing series staged annually in Germany since 2000* Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, a motor-racing championship staged in Germany from 1984 to 1995In computing:...
.
Sponsorships
Hankook is also the major sponsor of the Melbourne Football ClubMelbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
in the AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.