Our History
From its humble beginnings in 1941 as Korea’s first tire company, Hankook has grown into the seventh largest tire company in the world, one that continues to create new possibilities and overcome new challenges.

Hankook Becomes a Leading Global Tire Company
Leading the driving industry through high-tech preeminence.

As part of the 70th Anniversary of our founding in 2011 we started building production facilities in Chongqing, China, and Bekasi, Indonesia, greatly strengthening our capacity for growth. In addition, Hankook was named the official tire supplier for Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) in Germany, one of the world’s top three touring car competitions, and began the groundwork for yet another research center with technologically advanced equipment in 2014.
For the future our aim is to reinforce our global competitiveness by strategically investing in a skilled labour force to expand R&D. Fostering creative and competitive personnel is also a goal at Hankook as we strive to continuously do our part as a member of the global community and grow in tandem with the world.
We are proud of our 70-year-long history and are paving the way for the future with a commitment to create new possibilities and overcome challenges that lie ahead. With our customers and society always in mind, our aim is to contribute to the development of the driving experience worldwide.
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2011
Signed DTM sponsorship in Germany
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2011
Celebrated our 70th anniversary
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2011
Groundbreaking ceremony for plants in Chongqing, China, and in Indonesia
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2012
Began supplying OE tires for the new BMW 3 series
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2012
Became the official sponsor for the UEFA Europa League
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2013
Signed the MOU to build a new central research center
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2013
Hankook Indonesia grand opening
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2013
Extended official DTM partnership ahead of schedule
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2013
Chosen as original equipment supplier for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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2013
Signed MOU with the state of Tennessee for U.S. plant
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2014
Groundbreaking ceremony for new R&D Center, HANKOOK TECHNODOME in Deajon, Korea
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2014
Groundbreaking Ceremony
for Hankook's Tennessee Plant
in Clarksville, U.S. -
2015
Extend the premium original equipment to SUV Tires on Porsche 'Marcan'
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2015
Received the prestigious Red Dot: Luminary at the Red Dot Award 'Boostrac concept tire'
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2015
Succeed High-speed Driving without Air Pressure 'Hankook iFlex'
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2016
Selected as original equipment supplier for the all new BMW 7 Series
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2016
Signed a sponsorship agreement with Real Madrid C.F
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2016
Opened the company's new central research and development center, Hankook Technodome
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2017
Opening of Technotrac, a test center for winter tires in Europe
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2017
Grand opening of Tennessee Plant in the U.S.
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2018
Included in Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for three consecutive years
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2018
Acquired German Premium Tire Distributor ‘Reifen-Müller’
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2018
Signed an Official Sponsorship for Major League Baseball