Despite an uncertain economy, Kumho Tire CEOs were optimistic about business next year at the 2012 Kumho Tires Dealer Meeting in Costa Rica, Central America, Dec. 8-12, 2011.
While plans for a U.S. facility are on hold, the company has taken steps to improve fill rates by consolidating its five U.S. warehouses down to three locations – Atlanta, Ga., Chicago, Ill. and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
However, plans for a 1.3 million sq.-ft. tire plant in Macon, Ga., are still on hold. The company originally broke ground for the facility in May, 2008. The recession forced Kumho to postpone the project.
“There is one investment we had to decide to delay: our factory in Georgia. This project will be pushed back as we deal with the uncertainty of the economy and the Chinese tariff situation,” says J.H. Kim, global CEO of Kumho Tires. “We will continue to focus our resources in providing you, our most dedicated customers, with the highest fill rates and the highest quality product in the coming year.”
“We are going to improve delivery service in 2012,” says Kumho Tire North America’s President and CEO, J.B. Kim. “In 2010 we began a new focus on sports marketing, and our commitment to change is not over.”
J.H. Kim said the company continues to progress through parent company Kumho Asiana Group’s debt workout situation. He stressed that Kumho Tire is fully committed to the North American and South American markets.
“The outlook for 2012 includes much uncertainty for the global economy as well as the tire industry,” says J.H. Kim. “But one thing is certain: we will see more change in 2012. This change will bring challenge and opportunity for all of us next year.”
J.H. Kim has seen many changes since he was named global CEO in 2009. Most notable is the company’s focus on sports marketing. He said that in addition to sports marketing, Kumho is also investing more in advertising and focusing on the brand’s core consumer – college-educated male decision makers. The company’s sports marketing efforts have improved the brand’s awareness, and demand has gone up in the past year.
“Our new focus on sports marketing has placed the Kumho brand with some of the most well-known and popular sports teams in the U.S.A," says J.B. Kim. "Our commitment to change is not over. Our theme for this year’s meeting is ‘Let’s go.’ We want to stress our partnership with you and your strong success in 2012.”
