Kumho Tire Co., Inc., Appoints Two New Executives in North America
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Jan. 18, 2007 -- Kumho Tire Co., Inc., has named two executives to positions in North America. B.K. Kim has been named CEO and president of Kumho Tire North America, and Don Hun (D.H.) Ham has been named president of Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc.
In this newly created position, Kim will oversee Kumho's North American operations, which include Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc., and Kumho Tire Canada, Inc. His office will be located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Kim joined Kumho Tire Co., Inc., in 1974 in the company's overseas sales division. He served in a variety of duties in that division, including vice president, before being named senior vice president of the OEM sales division in 1999. In 2005 he was named senior executive vice president in charge of the sales division and was named head of the sales and administration division in 2006.
Ham succeeds Kyu S. Cho, who retired from Kumho in December 2006 after 33 years with the company. Ham joined Kumho Tire Co., Inc., in 1978 in the company's overseas sales division. He worked in a variety of sales capacities for Kumho in Panama, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Japan, as well as Korea-based activities for the North American and European markets. In 2000 he was named senior vice president of general affairs and administration for Kumho Polychem Co., Ltd., and rejoined Kumho Tire in 2006. Ham will be located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
Kim addressed dozens of key Kumho dealers at the company's annual dealer sales meeting on January 6. 'We recently introduced a new global brand identity for Kumho," said Kim. "Our new logo represents speed, precision and forward progression. These are characteristics that we believe our company and our products possess, and they are characteristics that we want our customers to think of when they see our brand.
"Our logo is just one of the many changes taking place at Kumho," he said. "The global tire industry is changing as manufacturers are closing factories and eliminating broad line product offerings that are not profitable. While other brands falter or remain stagnant, Kumho's global strategy is to expand manufacturing capabilities and infrastructure to be the fifth largest manufacturer by 2015. As part of that strategy, we have evaluated every aspect of our business to make this goal a reality, and we will reach that goal."
Established in 1960, Kumho Tire Co., Inc., of Seoul, South Korea, had 2006 sales of $1.9 billion. Kumho manufactures and distributes a complete line of tires for passenger cars, light trucks and heavy-duty trucks. Kumho has manufacturing facilities in Korea and China and operates technical centers in Birmingham, England, and Akron, Ohio. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Kumho Tire U.S.A is the U.S. distribution arm of Kumho Tire Co. In addition to its 830,000 square foot headquarters and central distribution facility in Rancho Cucamonga, the company operates four additional distribution facilities in Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus and Dallas. For more information, visit the Kumho Web site at www.kumhotire.com.
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