Hankook ships first tyres from Hungary plant

Racalmas, Hungary - Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. has shipped the first batch of tyres produced at its new plant in Racalmas, just six weeks after pilot production began and 14 months after ground-breaking.

The first batch of 3500 Optimo K415 and K715 tyres were shipped to distributors in France and the United Kingdom, Hankook said.

“The advancements pertaining to the completion of the tyre plant are breathtaking,” said Seung-Do Jin, Hankook executive vice president and COO for Europe. “On June 26, the first building machine started operation. Today, only six weeks later, we are able to deliver large amounts of Hankook tyres…from Hungary to all over Europe.”

The €450 million Hankook factory is turning out 3300 car and light truck tyres a day with 900 employees, which should yield more than 1.2 million tyres this year. Daily production should rise to 15 000 tyres by next year and hit 30 000 by 2010, Hankook said. More than 90 percent of the production is designated for sale within Europe.

The Optimo K715 is a tyre designed specifically for Europe, Hankook said. It exhibits low rolling resistance and is built to meet European Union enviromental standards that don't come into effect until 2010.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)