Rob Williams is heading Hankook Tire’s business in North America as the new President of Hankook Tire America Corp. His colleague Jong Jin (JJ) Park has been promoted to the role of Vice-President of USA PC/LT Sales, while Intae (Ted) Choi has become Vice President of North American Marketing Strategy, and Byoungjoe (Joe) Park has been named Vice President of Corporate Management.
Curtis Brison is the new president of Hankook Tire North America (formerly Hankook Tire America). He succeeds Sooil Lee, who remains chief executive officer of Hankook Tire & Technology. Additionally, Hankook Tire North America has promoted Robert Williams to senior vice president of Truck, Bus and Radial (TBR) sales and Jong Jin (JJ) Park to vice-president of marketing.
Hankook Tyre UK has extended its courtesy car scheme with the introduction of a larger fleet of branded Hyundai i10s offered to a selection of supportive dealers across its UK retail network. The scheme, set up in 2015, is designed to incentivise supportive dealers with 25 new 67-plate Hankook-liveried Hyundai i10s. The car was selected for its low running costs, and has been supplied to a selection of retailers around the UK over a two-and-a-half-year period as a courtesy car.
The new official Hankook Tire Facebook page for the UK market went live today. Hankook says it specifically designed the https://www.facebook.com/HankookUK page to “raise the brand’s profile by engaging with fans and sharing company news relevant to the local market” and says it will present exclusive video content, the latest product and industry news as well as competitions and tips and hints from tyre experts.
The strong representation of the tyre and wheel business at April’s Commercial Vehicle Show 2015 proved that the show is considered an increasingly important platform for those within the business. Indeed, Giti Tire’s notably larger stand, effectively re-launching its corporate identity, and the presence of Pirelli after a decade of non-attendance – alongside strong commitments from all the leading UK CV brands; major CV tyre wholesalers, Kirkby Tyres, RH Claydon and Kings Road Tyres; fleet servicing companies; and garage machinery providers.
Hankook’s Commercial Vehicle Show stand contained its CV tyre portfolio, with the recent adapted products for Euro V and VI vehicles taking centre stage. The SmartFlex AH31 and the TL02 trailer tyre were the key products in this respect, while the manufacturer also emphasised its Alphatread, retread range, which was extended with the addition of the popular 315/70R22.5 size, made available in January 2015. Hankook also hosted a football competition on its large Hall 5 stand, run in conjunction with its sponsorship of the UEFA Europa League.
Hankook Tyre UK will host HRH The Princess Royal at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Union match between Northampton Saints and Saracens at StadiumMK, Milton Keynes, in April. The invitation was extended to The Princess Royal in her role as patron of Transaid, Hankook Tyre UK’s charity partner since 2006. Hankook is also established as a strong supporter of top class rugby union in England, having been an Elite Sponsor of current Aviva Premiership champions Northampton Saints since 2009. The Princess Royal has strong links with the sport too, being patron of both the Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union and the Scottish Rugby Union.
Hankook Tyre UK will once again exhibit at Britain’s largest three-day commercial vehicle show. The products it plans to peacock at the Commercial Vehicle Show between 14 and 16 April include the SmartFlex AH31 – recently the recipient of an increased load index size designed specifically for the new Euro5 and Euro6 vehicles – and the TL02 trailer tyre, which has been adapted for use in the car transporter industry. Hankook will be located in Hall 5 of the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, at stand 5F111.
The gap at the top of Hankook Tyre UK’s management following Gaugseung Lee’s appointment as vice-president of marketing and sales for Europe has been filled by Jong Jin Park. Mr. Park is now managing director of Hankook’s second largest entity in Europe, and joins Hankook Tyre UK with more than ten years of experience in various positions within the company.
Starting 5 January, Stephen Marsh has taken on the role of retail development manager at Hankook Tyre UK. Marsh brings with him 30 years of industry experience at numerous companies, including Kwik Fit, Pirelli, CPK Auto Products and Stapleton’s Tyre Services, and he is tasked with the goal of contributing to the further development and expansion of the Hankook Masters Program in the UK. The tyre maker views his extensive experience as a trainer as an important skill that will allow him to provide added value to the network. Marsh will also work with other regional retailers and assist in developing the reach of Hankook’s portfolio.
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