Kumho’s first North American tyre plant is set to occur in the early part of 2016, and underlines the company’s aim of strengthening its position in this key automotive market as well as its overall plans for global expansion.
Kumho already invested US$420 million in the factory, which is sited in Macon, Georgia, close to Atlanta Airport and under 180 miles from the international port of Savannah. Once complete, the massive building will cover 21 acres and produce some 4 million tyres per annum. Around 90 staff are already engaged on site – a figure that’s set to rise to 400 by the time of next year’s launch.
North America already accounts for 20% of Kumho’s global tyre sales, and its new plant is intended to focus on UHP products for premium brand vehicles, thereby elevating the brand’s status within the US market.
The aim is also to strengthen Kumho’s OEM business in the region and, even before the advent of the new factory, the company has negotiated significant new contracts with the surrounding prestige 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.