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COMPANY NEWS
Hankook: Cementing a Position as a Major Player in the Truck Tyre Sector
products to the range.
Says David Thorp; “We want to make sure that prospective customers realise the Hankook brand is not just about tyres – there’s a full package of services that goes with it.”
The breakdown scheme, which was launched in 2006, is a particular point of pride for the company. Serviced by over 400 independent service points, the scheme offers nationwide coverage and now claims to achieve fitment rates of almost 90%. “The feedback from the fleets is that the service is second to none”, says David Thorp, “and the high fitment rates show that independent dealers are happy to keep our products in stock.”
Hankook is also keen to point out the breadth of the company’s product range, an example being a 295/60 R 22.5 tyre developed in conjunction with Autologic for car transporters. Today, the company claims to be the only tyre manufacturer offering this product with a 152J load index. “We’re not frightened of developing niche products”, explains David Thorp. “Our thinking is that if we can be flexible with things like this then we also stand a good chance of getting our mainstream products fitted.” Hankook has invested a considerable amount of resources over the last few years in expanding and renewing its product range. A key example of this is the AL10+, DL10+ and TL10+,e-cube MAX range of premium long haul tyres which features the company’s Spiral- Coil technology – a single wound coil which helps guarantee improved belt durability, a stabilised footprint and improved load carrying capacity.
The e-cube MAX range has now also been complemented by the introduction of all-season tyres, the SmartFlex range, and the introduction of Alphatread, a bead-to-bead retread manufactured by Bandvulc which feature first life Hankook casings and original Hankook designed tread patterns. This
range is initially available in three sizes – 295/80 R 22.5, 315/80 R 22.5 and 385/65 R 22.5, however, according to David Thorp plans expansion to this product range with additional sizes will be introduced when needed.
So what is the future for Hankook in the UK? According to Barrie Horrocks, the company’s main target is to cement a position as one of the
Hankook has bolstered its UK profile with a strong presence at the CV show
Hankook Smartflex AH31
The Hankook brand of tyres has come a long way in the commercial vehicle market in a relatively short space of time. Having been UK Sales Manager Commercial for nine years, Barrie Horrocks was made Sales Director two years ago and has witnessed Hankook being transformed from a wholesale brand sold largely on price to a premium branded product backed by a full range of value- added products and services. Commercial Tyre Business met with Barrie Horrocks and UK Sales Manager Commercial
The TBR sales team has many years of technical experience within the tyre sector consisting of 8 people including David Thorp.
“One of the first things that we did was to make sure that our sales team had a strong technical backing and from early on we made sure we developed a comprehensive technical manual to support our sales literature”, says Barrie Horrocks. “We have also shown a strong presence at exhibitions like the CV Show, emphasising the fact that we are serious about the
main players in replacement sales in the UK. This, he explains, will be achieved by continuing to work closely with independent partners to help further develop the company’s tyre management package and by looking at new value-added areas such as TPMS.
Barrie Horrocks (left) and David Thorp
Hankook Smartflex DH 31
David Thorp recently to find out more about how the company has achieved such a rapid development of its market position and to learn about the brand’s aspirations for the future.
One of the key points that Barrie Horrocks emphasises is the way that the company has developed a lean and motivated sales force, staffed by experienced tyre professionals.
truck market”.
Crucial to the positioning of the Hankook product is the brand’s status as a premium product at a mid-range price.This message is emphasised through the package of value-added features such as Hankook’s breakdown scheme, Hankook Truck Master which is managed by Tyrenet, the company’s casing buy-back facility and the recent introduction of remould
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