KKPC Found Not in Violation of Unfair Trade Practices

(Akron/Tire Review) Administrative Law Judge Paul J. Luckern of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has found that the Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co. (KKPC) of Seoul, Korea, is not in violation of the ITC's unfair trade practice laws, with respect to its importation of tire chemicals into the U.S.

Published: February 22, 2006

The decision also applies to the importation of Kumho tires into the U.S., as they are made with KKPC chemicals.

Since January 2005, KKPC had been under investigation for possible violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 at the request of international chemical supplier Flexsys America, which claimed that KKPC infringed on Flexsys’ U.S. process patents related to KKPC’s production of tire antidegradant chemicals.

In his decision, Luckern ruled that KKPC did not directly or indirectly infringe the patents asserted against it by Flexsys.

Recommending summer tires based on customer demand

Let’s talk about why clear communication with customers is key with this segment.

By Christian Hinton

Published: April 25, 2024

If you’re a shop looking to sell summer tires, it’s important to know that customers looking for these tires have very specific needs. Let’s talk about why, before recommending summer tires, you need to fully understand customer performance requirements.

Unlike all-season or all-terrain tires built for diverse driving conditions, UHP summer tires are designed with one priority: dry and wet traction for performance driving. Lateral and longitudinal grip in dry and wet conditions are also important, which is achieved through optimized contact patches, high silica tread compounds and circumferential grooves to channel water. Generally, UHP summer tire tread design features large blocks and fewer grooves for more road contact on dry surfaces. The grooves are designed to channel water away from the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning on wet roads.