Hankook Achieves ISO Certification in Hungary

Hankook Tire has announced that its European facility, located in Rácalmás, near Dunaújváros, Hungary, has achieved full ISO-certification. The certification attained by the plant includes both the factory’s Quality Management System, certified according to ISO/TS 16949:2002 as well as its Environmental Management System certification according to EN ISO 14001:2004. The plant’s 1,200 employees, adds Hankook, are now producing a daily capacity of 15,000 tyres (5 million per annum), and manufacturing over 300 different sizes for European passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks.

International certification institute Det Norske Veritas (DNV) conducted the audit with the aim of verifying that the Hungarian factory complies with the requirements of ISO/TS 16949:2002 certification and thus is eligible to supply the global automotive industry with OE tyres. On January 9th 2009 DNV performed the final audit and determined that Hankook Tire Ltd. can receive the letter of conformance with ISO/TS 16949:2002 certificate.

In addition, the plant’s attainment of Environmental Management System certification was a key goal for 2008, says the company. In a statement, Hankook Tire explains that its Environmental Management System in Hungary involves all employees, and focuses on several key areas, including waste management and preparation for potential disasters. The plant has set out its environmental goals, created rules, initiated projects and trained personnel according to these requirements. DNV audited all permits, compliance with regulations, company rules and the plant’s environmental performance in November 2008. DNV’s audit found that Hankook Tire’s European plant fully complies with the EN ISO 14001:2004 environmental standard.

The number of employees at Hankook Tire’s facility in Hungary grew to 1,240 in 2008. Since achieving the plant’s official capacity of 15,000 tyres per and after completing the first construction phase earlier last year, the focus has been upon increasing the production portfolio. The plant now manufactures over 300 different sizes and dimensions for the European market. Further scheduled plant expansion will increase the capacity to 30,000 passenger car tyres a day (10 million per year).