NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Hankook Tire America Corp. has hired James Sicking, a sales executive with Continental Tire the Americas for the past nine years, as its director of corporate sales.
Mr. Sicking brings nearly three decades of sales experience in the automotive industry to his new position, Hankook said. His experience also includes sales management positions at Phillips Industries Inc., Workhorse Group Inc. and MGM Brakes/Indian Head Industries Inc.
He will relocate to Hankook's headquarters in Nashville.
Hankook did not specify Mr. Sicking's duties but said he would be working closely with the vice president of sales, a post vacated 10 weeks ago by Shawn Denlein, who left the company in mid-February and was hired by Monro Muffler Brake Inc.
"James possesses a strong blend of sales experience and industry knowledge," said Hankook Tire America Corp. President Hee-se Ahn. "We are eager to welcome him to our growing team."
Mr. Sicking said he is "gratified" to be joining Hankook "at an exciting time in the company's history. I look forward to contributing to our ambitious growth efforts."
Hankook is considered the No. 6 tire maker in North America with estimated North American sales of about $1.7 billion. The company is expected to put its first U.S. tire plant, in Clarksville, Tenn., on stream this year.
Hankook also recently moved its American headquarters to Nashville from Wayne, N.J., and is in the process of hiring dozens of staffers at that location, along with hundreds to staff its $580 million plant in Clarksville, Tenn.
Parent Hankook Tire Co. Inc. has aspirations to grow 15 percent globally in 2017, Mr. Ahn said earlier this year, and the U.S. subsidiary is looking to achieve that same goal.