HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (May 20, 2013) — Sears Holdings Corp. has named Hankook Tire America Corp. a 2013 Partner in Transformation.
Sears said the award recognizes the firm's top-performing suppliers as "true partners" that support Sears' transformation toward becoming a leader in integrated retail.
The retailer presented the award to Hankook Tire America President Byeong Jin Lee at Sears' recent 2013 Vendor Summit. Hankook became a Sears vendor last year when it began supplying the Hoffman Estates-based firm with the reborn RoadHandler line of tires.
"(These vendors) provide the quality products, services and experiences that exceed the expectations of our Shop Your Way members," said Sears Holding Chairman and CEO Edward Lampert, "and enable us to build successful, meaningful relationships with them. Through our continued collaboration, we will be able to more effectively leverage the breadth of our portfolio and the power of our brands to meet our members' and customers' needs."
Sears Holdings presented the Partners in Transformation award to supplier companies that excel in supporting the transformation of Sears Holdings through innovation around the Shop Your Way program, core retail excellence and financial and operational discipline, Hankook said.
"Hankook Tire is a proud vendor of Sears and we are honored to have received this special award," Mr. Lee said.
"Our close relationship with Sears has enabled both parties to provide consumers with the products and value they desire. The RoadHandler tire line is a perfect example, combining Hankook's leading design and manufacturing abilities with Sears' extensive chain of retail locations and automotive expertise."
Joe Finney, senior vice president and president of Sears Auto Centers said the Sears Partners in Transformation CEO Award represents "a great collaboration between Hankook and Sears Auto Centers to re-introduce the iconic RoadHandler tire."
According to Hankook, the co-branded RoadHandler tires—which combine "added durability and superior performance"—is available exclusively at Sears locations,
Sears offers a best-in-class 100,000-mile limited treadwear warranty on the tires, which feature square belt-edge tape technology that reinforces the upper sidewall area for casing integrity and protection against tread separation, Hankook said. The tires also offer enhanced rain and snow traction, thanks to full depth treads and wide circumferential grooves, the company added.