Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/762675
MTD December 2016 Hankook's technical foundation With 90 laboratories and 750 employees, the company sees the future in the Technodome By Joy Kopcha H ankook Tire Co. Ltd. wants its new research and development center to make a statement. e 1-million-square-foot structure in Daejeon, Korea, a city known as "Asia's Silicon Val- ley," is an impressive sight. e building was designed by the same architect who created Apple's world headquarters, and the stark white floors and walls of windows give the space a modern, Apple-ish look. "e Technodome will serve as a focal point for technological advancement by securing technologies and developing future technologies," said Seung Hwa Suh, vice chairman and CEO of Hankook. "I believe the new Hankook Technodome will be a great foundation to lead the future of tire technology." e Technodome holds six stories of laboratories. ere are vulcanization, mixing, and extrusion labs, but there also are spaces designed for tire handling tests and noise level studies. In one room a 3-D scanner evaluates a tire's profile. In another room a 3-meter drum is placed in the center of the floor. It's covered in three different materials to simulate varying road surfaces and the noise a tire makes on each surface is measured. Yet another lab tests a tire's structural elements. ere are 90 labs in all. Each lab and the technology inside are needed to meet Hankook's customers' high standards, said Hyun Bum Cho, president and chief corporate strategy and finance officer. "Innovation is absolutely essential and critical, rather than something spe- cial, for survival in the current business environment." But Hankook is looking to do more than survive. With nearly $6 million in sales in 2015, Hankook is inching toward the top five tire companies in the world. In 2017 it will open its seventh tire production facility – and its first in the U.S. – and by 2020 it will have the global capacity to produce 135 million tires a year. It is increasing its marketing investment and using motorsports as one path toward a more powerful position in the industry. Hankook supports 38 motorsports championships in 13 countries. Just like on the racetrack, success with original equipment manufacturers is dependent on an evolution of technology. Bryan Woo, senior vice president and head of Hankook's global OE division, said 2000 was a "landmark year for us" and the company is now working with Focus on industry The driving simulation room features a race car parked in front of a large curved screen that offers a 360-degree view. The simulator primarily tests handling, but braking and other variables also are measured. 58