Hankook Tire America Corp officials announced Wednesday the company will locate its North American headquarters in Nashville. The global tire manufacturer will invest approximately $5 million and create up to 200 jobs in Davidson County.
“By choosing Nashville for the location of its North American headquarters, Hankook Tire continues to help make our state known as a worldwide leader in the automotive sector,” Governor Bill Haslam said. “This will be the company’s second facility in Tennessee – an investment that brings us closer to our goal of becoming the No. 1 location in the state for high quality jobs, and we thank Hankook for its commitment to creating jobs in Tennessee.”
“Hankook Tire could choose anywhere to locate its North American headquarters, and it says volumes about Davidson County and Tennessee that they chose us,” Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd said. “Hankook Tire is an innovative leader in its industry, and we are proud that they now call Tennessee home for the new headquarters."
Hankook Tire was established in 1941 in South Korea and entered the U.S. market in 1981. Hankook is one of the leading and fastest growing tire companies in the world, with over 20,000 global employees.
This is the second facility in Tennessee for Hankook. In 2014, the company broke ground on a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Clarksville that will be completed by the end of this year.
"I am delighted to announce that Hankook Tire will move our American headquarters to Nashville later this year,” Hankook Tire Vice Chairman and CEO Mr. Seung Hwa Suh said. “We believe by relocating our headquarters to Nashville, Hankook Tire can benefit from the people, resources and infrastructures of Tennessee, and we hope it will provide job opportunities and contribute to the Tennessee economy."
Hankook plans to relocate its headquarters to Tennessee to service North American markets. The company is in the process of looking for space for its headquarters in downtown Nashville.
Local leaders and partners expressed gratitude to Hankook for choosing Nashville as the location for its North American headquarters.
"It's great news that Hankook Tire has selected Nashville for its North American headquarters and for creating these jobs in Davidson County," said House Speaker Beth Harwell, who represents a portion of Davidson County. "This announcement will positively impact Nashville and Davidson County, and I look forward to building a strong partnership with Hankook for years to come."
“We are thrilled that Hankook Tire has chosen to locate its U.S. headquarters in Nashville and bring up to 200 jobs here,” Nashville Mayor Megan Barry said. “Hankook Tire joins a growing number of international firms who have chosen to invest in Nashville and become cherished members of our community.”
“TVA and Nashville Electric Service congratulate Hankook Tire on the decision to locate its new corporate headquarters and bring quality jobs to Nashville,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are pleased to partner with Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help companies like Hankook Tire create new jobs and prosperity in the Valley.”