Since 1961, KUMHO Tires has steadily grown into a worldwide entity. More that just a tire company, KUMHO Tires believes that providing safety, quality, and value for the customer is just as important as innovative design technology.

An Official F3 Tire Supplier

KUMHO Tires is proud to be one out of just six official tire suppliers in the Formula 3 Racing Competitions around the world.

Top 10 Largest Tire Maker

With 36 million tires produced annually and over 150 sales offices around the globe, KUMHO Tires ranks 10th largest tire manufacturer in the world.

The 24-inch Tire

Using our patented ESCOT Technology, the 24" ECSTA STX series outperforms the competition in wet braking, anti-abrasion, contact pressure, and noise improvement.

CEO's Message

Greetings,

I am very pleased to meet our customers and stakeholders through the web, which allows us to connect, share ideas and build sincere relationships.

Since it's inception in 1960, Kumho Tires has been a model of steady growth amid dramatic changes of business landscape. Driven by innovation in management and technical development we have become the leading tire company in Korea.

Over the past half-century Kumho Tires has built the foundation for a sustainable company, which has thrived through a full range of business environments and has grown to be one of the world's top 10 tire companies. This success would have not been possible without the continued support and encouragement from our customers and shareholders.

We are now strengthening our core competencies and expanding our business for second takeoff. We are also proud to be living up to our "Beautiful Image" as a company implementing environmental, social and economic sustainability strategies.

In the year 2009, we will solidify our presence as a global player in the tire industry by improving our company values and distinguishable strengths. We will manage business strategically through build on our core competencies, secure the industry's best R&D capabilities and carry out global marketing efforts. Moreover, we will recognize our responsibilities to society and the environment and will work continuously to fulfill them. Kumho Tires is committed to becoming leading environmental company by preventing the impact our company's activities have on the environment.

I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to you for continued support and encouragement. We will continue to listen to with an open mind and provide the best value and confidence in return. With your support Kumho Tires will be able to open up a brighter and more beautiful future.

Respectfully yours,

Company History

From its humble beginnings in Gwangju, South Korea in the 1960s, KUMHO Tires has become one of the world's top 10 tire manufacturers.

1960 - Established KUMHO Tires (then called Samyang Tire Co.)
1965 - Maiden export to Thailand of 200 tires
1966 - Acquired U.S. DOT (Department of Transportation) Mark
1974 - Completed the construction of Gwangju Plant
1975 - Developed Radial Tire
1976 - Acquired Certification of Military Aircraft tires from the U.S. Military Authorities
1981 - Established Research and Development Center in Gwangju, Korea
1984 - Won Grand Prize for Productivity Improvement
1989 - Completed the construction of Gokseong plant
1991 - Ranked 10th in the world tire industry
1992 - Passed F.A.A. Test of the U.S. for KUMHO's commercial aircraft tire
1994 - Acquired ISO - 9001 Certification
1996 - Acquired ISO - 14001 Certification for Gokseong plant
1996 - Acquired ISO - 140001 Certification for Gwangju plant
1998 - Acquired QS 9000 certification for Gwangju and Gokseong plants
1999 - Developed Run flat tire and Automated Production Unit (APU)
2000 - Developed building machine for UHP (Ultra High Performance) tires and became official supplier of the International Formula 3 Korea Super Prix
2001 - Acquired VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie e. V) Certification
2002 - Ranked 2nd in the Customer Satisfaction Survey by J.D. Power and Associates
2002 - Became official supplier of the Marlboro Masters Formula 3
2002 - Developed world's first UHP 26 inch tire