27 Oct 2015
Offenbach, Germany – Kumho is on track to complete construction of its first tire plant in North America in the early part of 2016, the company announced 26 Oct.
The Korean tire maker said it had already invested $420 million (€380 million) in the facility in Macon, Georgia.
The 21-acre production site is designed to produce around 4 million tires a year and will employ 400 people when it comes on stream next year.
The plant is to focus on UHP products for premium brand vehicles in North America, which accounts for 20 percent of Kumho’s global tire sales.
Kumho said it also aims to strengthen its OEM business in the region and has negotiated significant new contracts with top-end car makers.
“Assuming successful sales for Kumho and a continued improvement in the US economy, two further phases are planned for the Macon factory, offering the potential to as much as triple its capacity,” a company statement added.
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