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Kumho unveils new world-class R&D centre

As part of a sustained expansion plan, Kumho opened the doors of its brand new world-class R&D centre on September 2. Constructed over the last five years in Yongin City and within commuting distance of the South Korean capital, Seoul, the cutting edge premises are located in a 34,873 square metre plot and comprise a floor area of 22,823 square metres.

This is split between research and testing requirements and staffed by some 600 expert researchers from Korea and elsewhere in the world, who will operate the latest supercomputers, physical testing equipment, chemical and instrumental analysis equipment, performance research equipment and much more in the development of new market-leading products.

The centre will also serve as the hub of Kumho's global R&D network that comprises: Kumho Tire America Technical Centre in Akron, USA (KATC); Kumho Tire Europe Technical Centre in Frankfurt, Germany (KETC); Kumho Tire China Technical Centre in Tianjin, China (KCTC); and the Kumho Tire Performance Center in Gwangju, Korea (KPC). As a result of the new facility, the Gwangju centre will now be given over to the evaluation and quality monitoring of finished products.

Yongin City is an established mecca of automotive R&D in Korea and is already home to Hyundai Kia Motors, Hyundai Mobis and Renault Samsung, amongst others. It is a major automotive/parts industry cluster too, from which Kumho expects to enjoy many benefits; not least the ongoing procurement of top-class employees.

Commenting on the opening of the new R&D facility, Kumho Tire's CEO Kim Chang-Kyu said: "The surest way of becoming a global tyre company is to secure world class technical prowess. The completion of our expertly-staffed new centre will allow Kumho to expand its factories and increase OE supplies to overseas car makers."

For further information on Kumho and its products log onto www.kumhotyre.co.uk