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Stephen GoodchildKumho synergies & new growth: Doublestar benefitting from acquisitions
It was a difficult birth. As regular visitors to this site are well aware, Qingdao Doublestar Co Ltd.’s acquisition of Kumho Tire was punctuated by more than its share of complications: Threats of mass resignations, bickering over brand name use and questions about financing all belonged to the experience.
2nd Algerian tyre plant: Doublestar participating in JV
Buried within the more than 134 pages of Qingdao Doublestar’s latest semi-annual report is the news that the state-owned tyre maker will extend China’s ‘one belt, one road’ strategy by working with a local partner to establish a tyre production facility in Algeria. The Chinese-language document states that its subsidiary Hong Kong Doublestar signed a joint venture agreement with El Hadj Larbi Pneumatiques during the reporting period.
Doublestar acquires Hengyu Technology
Qingdao Doublestar Tire, owner of Kumho Tire since July 2018, has once again grown through an acquisition. The Chinese tyre maker says it has completed the purchase of Shandong Hengyu Technology Co., Ltd. for RMB 899 million (£103.1 million). Doublestar disclosed in March that it had signed an agreement with Hengyu Technology’s administrator to acquire 100 per cent equity in the business.
Kumho delisting from London Stock Exchange
Kumho Tire plans to delist its shares from the London Stock Exchange (LSE) at the end of April 2019, according to South Korean company filings.
Kumho the strongest ‘local’ in South Korea’s aftermarket
It may not be the best-selling Korean tyre brand worldwide, but at home Kumho outsells its domestic rivals. Data from the Korea Tire Manufacturers Association (KOTMA) indicates that 6.52 million replacement market Kumho tyres were sold in South Korea in 2018. This is more than 40 per cent of all locally-made tyres sold in the country.
Reports: Kumho “struggling” to find CEO
Kumho Tire has been struggling appoint new company leadership after its previous chairman left following Doublestar’s purchase of the company.
Doublestar car tyres on-sale in Carrefour Spain
Doublestar Tyres, the new majority shareholder of Kumho, recently announced that its tyres are on-sale alongside premium brands at Carrefour supermarkets in Spain.
According to Doublestar, which compared Carrefour founded in 1959 to Walmart in the USA, the supermarket chain is Europe’s favourite. Having pioneered the so-called hypermarket approach in Europe Carrefour has developed into the largest retailer in Europe and the second largest international retail chain group in the world, with business scope covering more than 40 countries and regions. Carrefour owns 17 large chain stores in Spain, which covers the Iberian area and radiates to the whole pan-European region. With an annual population of 400 million, Carrefour is a perfect channel for product sales and a perfect platform for brand exposure.
Doublestar names Antonio Smith as general director for Spain and Portugal
Qingdao Doublestar Group, recently named Antonio Smith Montero as general director for the company in Spain and Portugal. With this announcement the company, which recently acquired Korean manufacturer Kumho Tire and is well-known for its Doublestar, Crossleader and Aosen brands has underlined its commitment to the Iberian tyre market.
Tire+ 2018 opens
The second edition of the Tire+ exhibition, organised by China United Rubber Company, got underway today in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province China at the world-famous Canton show ground. The show runs in parallel with the large-scale Guangzhou Autoshow (itself a top three automotive event in China) as well as the China Essen Motor Show and continues until 19 November.
Kumho Tire to aid Pakistani firm’s entry into tyre manufacture
Under a technology transfer agreement signed with Pakistan-based battery manufacturer Century Engineering Industries, South Korean tyre maker Kumho Tire will provide technological and manufacturing know-how as Century establishes its own tyre production plant. The agreement signed in Seoul today covers the ten-year period to September 2028; Century Engineering will initially pay Kumho Tire US$5 million and 2.5 per cent of turnover for the assistance provided, with the contract scheduled for review after five years.
Yokohama Rubber ends technology tie-up with Kumho Tire
A new beginning, and also an end: 6 July, the date on which Doublestar Tire’s acquisition of a 45 per cent share in Kumho Tire was officially completed, was also the day a full stop was placed behind more than four years of technological cooperation between Yokohama Rubber and Kumho Tire. In a statement issued today, Yokohama Rubber informs that it terminated these tie-ups according to their terms and condition following the change in Kumho Tire’s controlling shareholder.
Doublestar acquisition of Kumho Tire completed
A ceremony was held on 6 July to mark to completion of Doublestar Tire’s acquisition of a 45 per cent share in Kumho Tire. The event in Seoul was titled ‘Celebrating New Beginning’ and was attended by the Chinese and South Korean tyre makers’ management teams as well as representatives from Korea Development Bank, which together with other creditors still maintains a 23 per cent share in Kumho Tire.
Linglong to become first Chinese global Top 10 car tyre manufacturer by 2019 – analyst
New research by London based independent research company Astutus Research suggests that a domestic Chinese company could be about to join the top 10 global manufacturers of passenger car and light truck (PCLT) tyres. Linglong Tyre, currently ranked 12th globally in the segment by unit sales, is forecast to take tenth place by 2019, replacing South Korea’s Kumho Tyre. The move would make the manufacturer the first from China to enter the PCLT top 10.
Kumho Tire CEO ‘grateful’ for dealers’ support as first post-acquisition tyre launched
A new owner has arrived on the scene, but it is business as usual for Kumho Tire in Korea. The tyre maker has launched its first new tyre since Doublestar became Kumho Tire’s largest shareholder last month. More than 350 dealers from across South Korea attended the unveiling of the Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91 yesterday.
