Hankook Tyre & Technology, more simply known as Hankook Tyres, is a South Korean multinational tyre maker that has become an established name in the global automotive industry since its founding in 1941, as Chosun Tyre Company.
Hankook Tyres Erdington have transitioned from merely local producers into one of the top tyre brands in the world and provide an impressive range of high-quality tyres to over 180 countries around the world. The company emphasises its commitment on innovation, performance and sustainability as it expands rapidly into many areas of the automotive sector, including passenger cars, trucks, buses and motorsports.
Origins and Growth
Being the first tyre company established in South Korea, Hankook was renamed Hankook Tyre Manufacturing in 1968. "Hankook" means "Korea" in the Korean language, indicating both its inflection with the Korean nation and their desire to put Korean quality on the map. Throughout the late 20th century, Hankook grew quickly due to South Korea's automotive industry booms and the increasing demand for high-performance tyres.
Hankook went on to become a serious player in the 1990s and early 2000s, not just in the domestic market but also in the global market. Growing and reinvesting in R&D, forming partnerships with car makers and opening production plants abroad saw the restructuring of the Hankook brand. Today, Hankook ranks among the top 10 tyre Erdington manufacturers globally by revenue and production capacity.
Product Line
Hankook has a full product range of tyres Erdington, to cover all driving needs, all types of weather conditions, and all types of vehicles. These various products include:
Passenger Vehicle Tyres: Hankook's Ventus tyres are designed for high performance and sport driving; its Kinergy tyres are built for comfort, fuel-efficiency, and being eco-friendly.
SUV and Light Truck Tyres: Hankook's Dynapro line provides durability and traction for a utility vehicle or off-road vehicle.
Truck and Bus Radials (TBR): These tyres are built for durability for a long haul with improved fuel economy.
Winter Tyres: The icept tyres provide grip and control in snow and ice.
Electric Vehicle (EV): Hankook has made an EV-specific tyre called the iON series, which is built specifically for EV vehicles, with low rolling resistance, noise levels, and range.
Each of these product categories receive extensive testing and quality assurances, which confirm models and products that pass testing meet international safety and performance requirements.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Partnerships
Hankook's strong reputation for quality and reliability has led to successful OEM partnerships with some of the best automobile manufacturers in the world. All automotive brands such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Kia rely on Hankook tyre supply. The appointment of Hankook as an OEM supplier is proof of the brand's engineering prowess and trust.
These partnerships have also encouraged innovation within the company as automakers count on tyre companies to produce certain performance metrics needed for safety, comfort, efficiency, and sustainability.
Research and Development
A strong component of Hankook's global success is Research and Development. Hankook has five R&D centers around the world including Hankook's main R&D center, the Hankook Technodome in Daejeon, South Korea, a modern facility focused on developing tire technologies and smart mobility.
The R&D work by Hankook includes;
Advanced materials for long tread-life and increased fuel economy.
Smart tyres that embed real time performance through sensors.
Sustainable technologies to reduce carbon footprint.
Artificial intelligence and simulations to optimize performance and reduce development time.
Investing heavily within technology does not only have a positive impact on the performance of tyres, but it also helps prepare Hankook for the future of mobility, including autonomous mobility and connected vehicles.
Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility
Hankook’s vision takes it beyond profitability. The company ambitiously laid out their sustainability goals including efforts to improve energy efficiency across its operations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, along with the use of recycled and renewable materials in tyre production.
Hankook publishes annual sustainability reports detailing their actions and progress with respect to environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures. Its actions include supporting local communities including through education, executing green logistics, minimizing the supply chain impacts, and overall demonstrating corporate responsibility.
The company is also a signatory to the UN Global Compact and abides by international guidance for ethical business practices.
Conclusion
Hankook Tyres Erdington has completed the transformation from humble beginnings to the successful global sustainability player being recognized today, by consistently meeting the expectations of providing high-quality and innovative tyre Erdington solutions in responsible co-operation with the environment.
With a strong foundation in research and development; strong global partnerships and a focus on the future of mobility, Hankook's ability to meet the changing needs of the industry are evident. Whether on the track, road, or in the future of electric or autonomous vehicles, Hankook will always provide world-class performance, safety and sustainability at its core.