PRESS ROOM
Kumho Tire Chooses Opole, Poland as the site for its European Factory 12/04/2025
12/04/2025
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, (December 4, 2025) – Kumho Tire, one of the world's leading tire
manufacturers today announced that it has selected Opole, Poland, as the site for its European plant. The decision is part of the company's strategy to expand its global production footprint and accelerate growth in the European market.
•The plant will be Kumho's first European production base, with an annual capacity of six million tires and initial operations targeted for 2028.
•It will support the company's European sales expansion, strengthen product competitiveness, and enhance its premium brand image.
•New plants will be built simultaneously in Korea and Europe, establishing a global production system spanning three continents.
The new European facility in Opole is scheduled to begin initial operations in August 2028, pending investment and regulatory approval. The first phase will support an annual production capacity of six million tires, with phased expansions planned according to market demand. The total investment is valued at US$ 587 million
Kumho evaluated several European countries, including Poland, as potential locations for the new plant, assessing factors such as site suitability, sales growth potential, investment stability, profitability, and available incentives. After a thorough review of the final two candidate regions, the company selected Opole for its logistical advantages, skilled workforce, competitive infrastructure, stable access to the European market, and the attractive incentives offered by the Polish government.
Accounting for roughly 25% of global tire consumption, Europe represents a market of substantial strategic importance for Kumho with European sales making up approximately 26.6% of the company's total revenue in 2024. By establishing a local production base, Kumho will secure a stable foundation for sales expansion while strengthening its portfolio of high-value-added products (HVPs), including high-performance and large-inch tires. This move is expected to boost both profitability and brand value.
Europe also comprises about 17% of the global original equipment (OE) tire market and is home to major high-end vehicle manufacturers. Until now, the absence of a European production base had limited Kumho Tire's supply stability and lead-time competitiveness. The new facility is expected to significantly improve OE responsiveness and create new opportunities for collaboration with leading automotive brands.
“The European market holds tremendous strategic significance in the global tire industry,” said Il-Taik Jung, President & CEO of Kumho Tire. “By establishing local production and supply capabilities in Europe, Kumho Tire will strengthen its market competitiveness, local responsiveness and attractiveness to European vehicle manufacturers with the product quality for which the brand is renowned.”
Meanwhile, Kumho Tire plans to complete a new factory in Hampyeong, Korea by the end of 2027, with an annual capacity of 5.3 million tires. With the confirmation of the Polish site, the company is set to build a fully integrated production network spanning Asia, Europe, and North America. Through this system, the tire maker will continue expanding its regionally optimized production capabilities to meet market-specific demand and reinforce its global competitiveness.