Hankook Launches Laufenn in Europe
Hankook Tire Co. will launch its new tire brand, Laufenn, in the European market starting spring 2016. The tiremaker said the Laufenn products were developed for the European market needs, with Hankook Tire’s European Technical Center (ETC) in Hanover, Germany, playing a vital role in development. Laufenn will initially offer five product line-ups: – S FIT
Hankook, Vibram Collaborate on Concept Tires, Shoes
Hankook Tire Co. and shoe maker Vibram’s collaboration of three shoes and two concept tires debuted during the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany. Hankook Tire’s off-road concept tires, the DynaMIX and DynaSYNC, took inspiration from the flexible blocks on the outer soles of Vibram’s hiking shoes that are designed to change their contact positions
Hankook’s Unionized Workers Vote on Pay Raise
Unionized workers of South Korea’s Hankook Tire Co. began a yes-or-no vote on Sunday regarding pay raise and other possible deals reached between labor and management, the Korea Herald reports. The union said the voting started at 5 a.m. Sunday and will last until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8. On Friday, an agreement between
The Evolving Tire Landscape
Thirty years ago it was a much different world. Fax machines had just become a thing. There was no Internet, no such thing as a cellphone let alone a smart one, and the first PCs were appearing in offices. In the tire universe, we were still busy radializing consumer and truck tires; OTR and agricultural
Hankook Labor Union in Korea Threatens Strike
Hankook Tire may be facing its first ever labor strike, as 86% of its 4,700 union members in Korea voted to strike over a salary hike offered by management. According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, management proposed an annual rise of 1%, while the union demands 6.7% in addition to improved welfare benefits. More negotiations
Trailer Full of Tires Stolen in Canada
Roughly $70,000 worth of tires was stolen from a site in Oakville, Ontario. According to police, the suspect drove a stolen truck onto the site, hooked up a trailer filled with Hankook tires and left the area. The police found the stolen truck a short distance away. Anyone with information is asked to contact the
Hankook Concept Tires Win Design Awards
Several of Hankook Tire Co.’s concept tires were honored at the 2015 Red Dot Design Awards and the 2015 IDEA (International Design Excellence Awards). Winning tire designs were produced in collaboration with Pforzheim University’s schools of Design, Engineering and Business, the tiremaker said. “We are immensely proud to be recognized by the world’s top three
Hankook OE on Ford F-650, F-750
Hankook Tire is launching its OE portfolio in North America as the new OE supplier for Ford’s new 2016 F-650/F-750 medium duty trucks. The tiremaker will supply Ford with four different tire patterns: AH11, AH22, DH07 and DH15. AH11 specializes in urban conditions and also features extended high-speed driving, fuel efficiency and resistance to uneven
Hankook Announces Airless Tire Success
After Hankook Tire first announced the successful test of its airless tire to Korean media, the tiremaker has officially released the details of the successful ride and handling tests for the airless Hankook iFlex. The fifth non-pneumatic concept tire of Hankook since research began in 2011, the iFlex does not require air pressure and is
Hankook Airless Tire Test a Success
Hankook Tire announced it successfully tested its airless tire, a Korean news site reported. The iFlex tire was created from an effort starting in 2011 to development non-pneumatic tires without air pressure that could still maintain form and performance. According to a news report, the tire is made of polyurethane synthetics that reduce energy usage
Hankook Extends Sponsorship for UEFA Europa League
Hankook Tire has extended its sponsorship contract with the UEFA Europa League, making the company an official partner of the club competition for another three years until the end of the 2017/18 season. The company will benefit from additional brand exposure including increased perimeter board advertising in the stadiums, and media backdrops during player interviews
Hankook Completes Third Phase of Racalmas Expansion
Hankook Tire reported it has completed the third phase of expansion at its plant in Racalmas, Hungary, two months ahead of schedule. The 313 million euro expansion, which created 950 additional jobs, will boost the plant’s annual production capacity to 19 million tires. It also allowed for the addition of more premium brands as business