Hankook appoints new MD at European plant

Neu-Isenburg, Germany – Hankook Tire has appointed Hyung Yun Kim as managing director of its European factory in Hungary, the Korean tire maker announced 22 Jan. 

He succeeds Seong Hak Hwang, who had been managing the production site in Rácalmás since 2017 and will take up a new role within the company.

Kim, who holds as BSc in chemistry and MSc in physical chemistry from Inha University in Korea, joined Hankook in 1991. 

He has since held various managerial roles within the company, most recently leading the production planning division at Hankook Tire’s global headquarters in Korea.

With a production capacity of up to 19 million tires a year and around 3,000 employees, the facility in Hungary is a key to Hankook’s European operations, the company stated. 

Since launching construction in 2006, Hankook said it has invested around €900 million in the Rácalmás factory, which has been continually expanded and updated. 

The unit supplies almost 900 size and model variations to automotive brands such as Audi, BMW, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, VW, Skoda and Seat.

“I believe the site contributes to a great extent to the global success of the company,” said Kim. “My fundamental goal is to further advance the Rácalmás plant’s role as the manufacturing facility of the company in Europe. 

“I am confident about the future prospects of the factory and looking forward to explore the opportunities the automotive industry holds.”