Hankook christens 'Technodome' R&D center

DAEJEON, South Korea (Oct. 18, 2016) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. has christened its $260 million “Technodome” research and development center in Deajeon, calling it a “cornerstone” of its global R&D infrastructure and a key part of its strategy to become a “top-tier” brand in the tire and automotive industry.

The six-storey structure occupies a floor space of 1 million square feet and will house up to 1,000 technicians by 2020, the company said at a ceremony marking the opening, and is coupled with an eight-storey residence building equipped with employee accommodations such as a fitness center, medical clinics, cafés and a day care center.

Hankook Tire Vice Chairman and CEO Seung Hwa Suh called the R&D facility a “great foundation to lead the future of tire technology, as it symbolizes optimized process in development of future technologies and securing original technologies through strengthening our headway towards a global top-tier company.”

Mr. Suh said the Technodome's facilities will provide an “optimal work environment to strengthen our global competitiveness through innovation, while actively dealing with rapid changes in the business environment and delivering products optimized for various customers' needs.”

The center also has integrated driving simulation system as well as an SPMM (suspension parameter measuring machine) to carry out virtual testing and record digital results.

It will be equipped with a state-of-the-art tire noise tester.

During a press event at the opening, Hankook Executive Vice President Hyung Nam Kim confirmed that the company is also planning to build a bigger test track, capable of allowing cars to reach speeds of 180 mph, in South Korea to support product development at the Technodome.

Hankook broke ground on the center, designed by Foster+Partners, an architectural firm founded by noted British architect Sir Norman Foster, in June 2014.

Hankook officials added that local university Kaist had introduced a master's degree program in tire engineering, which would supply experts to the Technodome.

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Shahrzad Pourriahi is a reporter with European Rubber Journal, a London-based sister publication of Tire Business.