Kumho Tires begins construction of R&D center outside Seoul

Kumho Tires has broken ground on an extensive new research and development center. The $70-billion (Korean dollars), 34,842-square-meter facility in Young-In, South Korea is slated for completion by the end of 2009. It is expected to become the hub of Kumho’s worldwide R&D efforts.

“The Kumho R&D Center will help us attract top scientists and engineers, who will develop creative products that fit our customers’ needs,” says Sae-chul Oh, company president.

“Innovation is at the heart of our competitive advantage, and this state-of-the-art facility will strengthen our global research and development network and propel us toward our goal of becoming one of the world’s top five tire manufacturers,” Oh explains.

The center, located less than an hour’s drive from Seoul, will serve as a coordinating hub for Kumho’s research activities among other centers in the United States, United Kingdom, China and Korea. The Young-In site will feature chemistry laboratories and the latest equipment for testing and analyzing tire compounds, noise and vibration.

As part of its overall strategy to bolster R&D, Kumho will double its staff of 600 research employees by 2015. The additions will help the company focus on developing eco-friendly technologies and creative products not offered by other manufacturers, according to Oh.

In keeping with Kumho’s ongoing commitment to responsible manufacturing policies, notes Oh, the new center will be certified by Korea’s Housing & Urban Research Institute as a “Green” building. This official designation is given to facilities that are built according to strict environmental impact, energy usage, nature conservation and carbon footprint guidelines.

A gala groundbreaking ceremony attracting numerous dignitaries was held May 15.

For more information, visit www. KumhoTireUSA.com.