Tyre company, Hankook Tire, will be investing $1.6 billion to expand its Tennessee plant, located in Clarksville, Tenn. The investment includes the previously planned Phase 2 expansion that will double Hankook’s passenger car and light truck (PC/LT) tires’ production capacity. It also adds a Phase 3 expansion, with the company’s first US production of Truck Bus and Radial (TBR) tires. The addition of the Phase 3 expansion project will bring 400 more jobs to the Clarksville area, for a total of 1,200 new jobs overall.

Growing presence in the US
Hankook will double the US PC/LT production to 11 million units and enable the production of one million TBR tyres annually. The expansion also brings the company’s total investment in the area to $2.2 billion and will enable it to further provide tyre dealers and consumers with high quality tyres and industry-leading services in order to meet the demands of the American market, while supporting existing and future OE partners.
 

“The investment in our Tennessee plant further demonstrates Hankook’s growing presence in the US and commitment to serving our customers,” said Sooil Lee, CEO of Hankook Tire & Technology and President of Hankook Tire America Corp, “Through a focus on sustainable construction and innovative manufacturing, the new phase will provide a local-to-local supply chain to fulfil customer demand more effectively. Additionally, we are proud to continue to support the local economy by bringing 1,200 new jobs to the Clarksville area.”

Growth all the way
Ever since Hankook’s state-of-the-art Tennessee plant opened in October 2017, the company has produced 5.5 million tyres annually for the North American market and generated 950 jobs. The North American market accounted for more than 28% of total Hankook tire sales in 2021.

“This production expansion is a vital step to our growth in the medium truck market, making us one of only a few manufacturers producing TBR products in the US,” said Rob Williams, Senior Vice President – North America Sales, Hankook Tire America Corp and went on, “As a result, we can better meet the needs of both our growing dealer base and the fleets that serve the North American shipping lanes.”

Plan of action
Hankook is expected to break ground on the new plant in early 2023, subject to definitive agreements, regulatory approvals and other conditions. Tyre production at the new phases of the plant will begin by Q4 2024 and reach full capacity by early 2026.

“Global brands like Hankook Tire choose to invest in Tennessee because of our strong business climate, workforce and central location,” said Bill Lee, the Tennessee Governor, “I thank Hankook for its continued investment in our state and for creating 400 new manufacturing jobs for Tennesseans in Montgomery County.”

Increasing production capacity
Hankook’s Tennessee plant is located off International Boulevard, in the southern portion of the Corporate Business Park. Operating wight production sites in five countries around the world, including the United States, Hungary, Indonesia, China and Korea, Hankook Tire currently has an annual global production capacity of about 100 million units. Through the expansion of the Tennessee plant, the company is expected to increase its production capacity to about 106.5 million units in total.  

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pirelli has expanded its premium Cross Country mountain bike tyre line with the introduction of the SCORPION XC RH. This new model, entirely manufactured in Italy at the company's Milan-Bollate facility using FSC-certified natural rubber, is engineered for the highest levels of competitive racing where minimizing rolling resistance is the paramount concern.

Designed for hardpack and compact terrain, the SCORPION XC RH aims to deliver record-level rolling efficiency without sacrificing control. Its performance stems from a synergistic combination of a specialised tread design and a bespoke RACE XC compound. The tread pattern features a wide, continuous central band with low-profile, tightly spaced knobs to maximize speed and smoothness. For confident cornering, a key weakness in many fast-rolling tyres, the RH incorporates aggressive shoulder knobs directly derived from the SCORPION XC RC model. This differentiated profile ensures stability on straightaways and provides exceptional traction through technical turns.

The custom-formulated RACE XC compound is the product of Pirelli’s technical expertise, bridging motorsport and cycling. Developed specifically for the RH model, this compound is calibrated to offer ultra-fast rolling performance coupled with essential chemical grip, which is critical for maintaining control on mixed surfaces and when riding at the limit. Internal laboratory testing confirms that the SCORPION XC RH is the fastest model in Pirelli's entire Made-in-Italy cross-country range, demonstrating a more than forty percent improvement in rolling speed over the previous RC model.

This new Racing Hardpack tyre has already been proven under race conditions by Pirelli’s partner teams, including Alpecin-Deceuninck and Trek Factory Racing, in events such as the Les Gets World Cup and the World Championships. Notably, Samuele Porro of the Klimatiza Orbea team rode the SCORPION XC RH to a Vice World Champion title at the 2025 Marathon World Championships.

The SCORPION XC RH is available to consumers in a 29x2.4 size, offering a choice between the standard LITE casing and the redesigned ProWALL casing, which features reinforced sidewalls for enhanced protection and stability. The tyres are now available at leading bicycle retailers and online, complete with graphics in both standard and Team Edition versions.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Nokian Tyres has been named an Official Sponsor for the 2026 and 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships, connecting its brand with a premier winter sports spectacle. The sponsorship covers the upcoming tournaments in Switzerland and Germany, which captivate a global audience of millions.

According to Tiina Frazer, VP of Brand, Marketing and Communications at Nokian Tyres, the partnership is a natural alignment. She notes that ice hockey is a sport defined by extreme conditions, where success hinges on control, precision, and grip. This directly parallels the core mission of Nokian Tyres, which is to engineer products that provide drivers with reliable safety and confident performance on the road, regardless of the weather. The collaboration reinforces the company's dedication to excellence in demanding environments.

Frazer said, “We’re proud to support an event that brings together millions of passionate hockey fans – whether they’re cheering at the ice rink or following the excitement from their screens. It’s a privilege to be part of the special moments viewers enjoy around the globe, especially as awareness of our heritage as inventor of the winter tyre is growing globally. We are looking forward to our partnership and wish all the teams and players success for the upcoming tournament.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The World Brand Lab unveiled its ‘Asia's 500 Most Influential Brands’ list at the Asia Brand Congress in Hong Kong on 24 September 2025, featuring both Kumho Tires and Doublestar Tires for their significant brand impact.

Kumho Tires achieved a comprehensive ranking of 209th, rising six places from the previous year and positioning it as the second-highest ranked tyre brand. Meanwhile, Doublestar Tires climbed five spots to 305th overall, earning the distinction of being the top-ranked brand within China's domestic tyre industry.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Michelin North America, Inc. is enhancing retailer access to its bicycle tyres through a new distribution partnership with J&B Importers, effective 1 October 2025. With this development, retailers will be able to order Michelin products directly through J&B Importers, starting with an initial selection of popular models.

A major expansion of the tyre lineup is scheduled for 1 January 2026, which will introduce a comprehensive portfolio. This collaboration is designed for a seamless integration, providing efficient access to Michelin's premium range. The 2026 expansion will include a wide array of new SKUs, encompassing tyres for road, mountain, gravel and city cycling to meet diverse market demands.

Justin Brock, Vice President – Sales, Recreational Products, Michelin North America, Inc., said, “Partnering with J&B Importers, Inc. allows us to better serve independent bike dealers with faster access to Michelin’s trusted tyre technologies. This is a key step in expanding our footprint and supporting the cycling community with products that deliver performance and durability.”

Phil Sweet, General Manager, J&B Importers, Inc., said, “We’re proud to welcome Michelin to our distribution portfolio. Michelin is a globally respected brand known for innovation and performance. This partnership allows us to offer our dealers access to premium bicycle tyres backed by a legacy of excellence, and we’re excited to grow the assortment in the months ahead.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!