- plant expansion
- tyre
- TBR
- PC/LT
- North American market
Hankook Tire to invest $1.6 billion in Tennessee plant expansion
- by Juili Eklahare
- August 29, 2022

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.
- Kumho Tire
- Kumho Tire European Tyre Plant
- Premium OE Segment
Kumho Tire To Open First European Tyre Plant
- by TT News
- April 19, 2025

As part of a strategic effort to increase its presence in the region's premium original equipment (OE) market, Kumho Tire has confirmed its plans to establish its first tyre production facility in Europe by 2027.
The company has shortlisted Poland, Serbia and Portugal as possible locations for the plant, which is projected to need an investment of more than KRW1 trillion (USD 705 million). The decision is closely linked to Kumho’s ambition to strengthen its partnerships with European automakers and was revealed by Kumho Tire CEO during the South Korean premiere of Kumho's new Ecsta Sport tyre line.
Kumho has recently secured OE supply contracts with major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen Group. At the moment, Kumho runs eight tyre production plants in China, Vietnam, South Korea and the US. Its capacity to compete in the premium OE market, however, has come to be perceived as being constrained by the absence of a European production base. Through the benefits of local production, the new facility will improve response to European client requests, save freight costs and shorten delivery times, all of which will strengthen the company's partnerships.
- Sentury Tire
- Sentury Tire USA
- Associate Dealer Programmes
- Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program
- Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program
Sentury Opens Pre-Enrolment For Associate Dealer Programmes
- by TT News
- April 18, 2025

Sentury Tire USA has opened pre-enrolment for its two associate dealer programmes (ADPs), the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program and the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding dedication and partnership to the Landsail and Delinte brands.
The ADPs, which are customised for each brand and intended to encourage dealers, will formally start on 1 June 2025. Both programmes give dealers access to special benefits, incentives and strong tools to help them expand their businesses. This involves dependable customer service, effective marketing and worthwhile financial incentives to promote dealers' success at every stage.
Beginning in Q3, dealers may earn up to USD three per tyre through the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program. Dealers can receive retroactive benefits for purchases completed in Q2 if they register before 1 June. The awards are available for all Delinte PTR, LTR and the new DV3 LMD AS last-mile delivery tyres. For all Landsail PTR and LTR tyres, independent dealers that sign up for the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program can also earn up to USD three per tyre. For customers who sign up by June 1, the new LMD 100 AS last-mile delivery is also eligible for the benefits and will get the same early bird incentive for Q2 2025.
No initial order is necessary. Dealers only need to register to begin making money. According to the monthly programme rewards structure, 48 tyre purchases each month are eligible for a reward of USD one per tyre, 120 tyres are eligible for a reward of USD two per tyre and 240 or more tyres are eligible for a reward of USD three per tyre.
- ENSO
- ENSO Premium
- EV-Specific Tyres
- Electric Vehicle Tyres
- UHP Tyres
ENSO Launches EV-Specific UHP Tyre Range For Premium EVs
- by TT News
- April 18, 2025

ENSO, a London-based tyre manufacturer engaged in the production of sustainable tyres specially designed for electric vehicles (EVs), has launched its new ENSO Premium range of EV-specific ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres aimed at drivers of high-performance EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
Specifically designed for electric passenger vehicles, the ENSO Premium range comes with A/A EU-label ratings for both energy efficiency and wet grip. The tyres are designed to provide safety, increased range and a reduced total cost of ownership. Conventional tyre designs frequently fall short of the special performance needs of electric vehicles, which include greater vehicle weight, regenerative braking and higher torque loads. By lowering tyre wear and rolling resistance, ENSO Premium takes care of these issues.
The company is an authorised provider of replacement tyres for LEVC's electric taxis and has partnered with Uber to install its tyres in high-mileage metropolitan areas. The company now plans to grow throughout Europe and North America, and with ENSO Premium, it is now offering its services to individual EV owners throughout the United Kingdom. According to ENSO, the range offers advantages including longer tyre life and fewer replacements, lower energy usage, fewer charging stops and lower CO₂ emissions and tyre particle pollution.
Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO and Co-Founder, ENSO, said, “We’re plugging a long-standing gap in the tyre market by offering EV drivers a purpose-built, affordable, premium EV tyre alternative that matches the innovation of their EV.”
- Kraton Corporation
- Price Hike
- Bio-Based Products
Kraton Corporation Announces Price Hike For SBS, SIS And HSBC Products
- by TT News
- April 17, 2025

Kraton Corporation, a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has announced a general price hike in North America for its SBS, SIS and HSBC product lines with effect from 1 May 2025.
Following a careful analysis of the effects of recently implemented tariffs, related cost increases and a conclusion that the company cannot independently absorb these repercussions, Kraton is adopting these pricing hikes, according to a company statement. The company further said that it will keep an eye on the scene and reassess these measures promptly in the event that conditions and US import tariffs alter.
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