Kumho names new OE, domestic replacement head

After four years as president of Kumho Tire North America, J.B. Kim is to return to Korea and head up the company’s original equipment sales division and Korean market replacement sales division. The position left vacant by Kim in the US will be filled by Hai Eok "Harry" Choi.

During his tenure as president, J.B. Kim led Kumho Tire North America through “significant market challenges” and he “achieved many noteworthy accomplishments,” the tyre maker says. Over the past few years, Kumho North America has seen a dramatic improvement in brand awareness through its marketing activities, with awareness increasing by eight per cent each year between 2008 and 2012. Kim also led the company in the launch of the all-season Ecsta 4X, one of the most successful Kumho tyres launched in the US. The outgoing president is also credited as being instrumental in maintaining the close relationships with Kumho Tire USA’s dealer body during the “very challenging past four years” in the tyre industry. Through his leadership, Kumho Tire USA now boasts sales of over 10 million units per year.

“During my stay in North America, I have had the opportunity to meet many unique challenges,” reflected J.B. Kim. “Through it all, we have remained a unit of strength, perseverance and positivity. It is these qualities that have made Kumho Tire USA more tenacious than ever. I will forever be greatly appreciative to our US customers and employees for what I now reflect on as a great time of growth, with unceasing potential for many great things to come.”

Harry Choi brings over 20 years of experience with Kumho Tire, with an extensive global background in both sales and marketing leadership positions in Korea, Europe and Latin America. The management transition began 1 January 2013 and will be complete by the end of the month.