Who Owns Kumho Tires?

• Parent Company:
• Ownership Type: Wholly owned
• Company Type: Privately Held

• Founded: 1960
• Founders: Park Ock Soo

• Founded:
• Headquarters:
• Company Type: Privately Held

• Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
• Manufacturing / Operations: South Korea, China, Vietnam, India, Mexico, United States

Kumho Tire operates under a comprehensive ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework that has earned international recognition for its sustainability leadership and ethical business practices in the global tire manufacturing industry. The company's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility has positioned it among the top performers in ESG evaluations worldwide.

EcoVadis Gold Medal Recognition: Kumho Tire has achieved the prestigious Gold Medal from EcoVadis for the second consecutive year in 2025, ranking in the top 5% among approximately 150,000 companies worldwide participating in the evaluation. EcoVadis conducts comprehensive assessments across four critical areas: environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. This consecutive Gold Medal achievement demonstrates Kumho Tire's sustained excellence in ESG performance and its commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability practices.

Korea ESG Standards Institute Recognition: Kumho Tire received an overall 'A grade' in the ESG evaluation by the Korea ESG Standards Institute, achieving the top integrated grade through significant management improvements. The company established a comprehensive human rights management system, set diversity targets for employees, strengthened investment in information security, and conducted regular board evaluations to enhance governance practices.

Climate Change and Water Management: Since 2022, Kumho Tire has participated in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and earned an 'A-' grade in recognition of its water management capabilities. In the Supply Chain Engagement Assessment (SEA), Kumho Tire was selected for the highest 'A List', acknowledging its efforts in responding to climate change and achieving excellence in ESG management. The company's climate action strategies include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing water usage in manufacturing processes, and implementing sustainable resource management practices.

MSCI ESG Excellence: Kumho Tire has maintained an AA grade in the MSCI ESG evaluation since 2022, placing it among the top performers in the automotive components sector. The company also ranked within the top 15% of auto parts companies in the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) by global credit rating agency S&P Global, reflecting its strong performance across environmental, social, and governance criteria.

Korea Sustainability Leadership: At the '2025 Korea Sustainability Conference' hosted by the Korean Standards Association, Kumho Tire was honored with the top spot in the Tire category of the Korea Sustainability Index (KSI) for the third consecutive year. The company was also selected as an excellent report in the manufacturing sector of the Korea Sustainability Report Awards (KRCA) for the second consecutive year, recognizing the quality and transparency of its sustainability reporting.

Environmental Manufacturing Practices: Kumho Tire implements sustainable manufacturing practices across its global production facilities, focusing on reducing environmental impact through energy efficiency improvements, waste reduction programs, and responsible resource management. The company's manufacturing facilities in South Korea, China, Vietnam, India, Mexico, and the United States adhere to strict environmental standards and continuous improvement processes.

Sustainable Procurement and Supply Chain: Kumho Tire's sustainable procurement practices ensure that suppliers meet high environmental and ethical standards. The company works closely with supply chain partners to promote sustainability throughout the tire manufacturing ecosystem, including responsible raw material sourcing, ethical labor practices, and environmental compliance across the supply chain.

Social Responsibility and Community Engagement: Kumho Tire demonstrates social responsibility through various community engagement programs, employee welfare initiatives, and contributions to local communities where it operates. The company's human rights management system and diversity initiatives reflect its commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace environment.

Kumho Tire has received extensive recognition for its ESG excellence, sustainability leadership, and quality achievements in the global tire manufacturing industry. The company's awards and certifications reflect its commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and manufacturing excellence.

EcoVadis Gold Medal (2024, 2025): Kumho Tire achieved the prestigious Gold Medal from EcoVadis for two consecutive years, ranking in the top 5% among approximately 150,000 companies worldwide. This recognition evaluates companies across environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement, demonstrating Kumho Tire's comprehensive ESG excellence and sustained performance improvement.

Korea ESG Standards Institute 'A Grade' (2025): The company received an overall 'A grade' in the ESG evaluation by the Korea ESG Standards Institute, achieving the top integrated grade through management improvements including human rights management system establishment, diversity target setting, information security investment strengthening, and board evaluation implementation.

Carbon Disclosure Project 'A-' Grade (2024): Kumho Tire earned an 'A-' grade from the CDP in recognition of its water management capabilities, demonstrating the company's commitment to climate change response and environmental stewardship. The company has participated in CDP since 2022, showing continuous improvement in environmental disclosure and performance.

Supply Chain Engagement Assessment 'A List' (2024): Kumho Tire was selected for the highest 'A List' in the SEA evaluation, acknowledging its efforts in responding to climate change and achievements in ESG management. This recognition highlights the company's excellence in supply chain sustainability and engagement practices.

MSCI ESG AA Grade (2022-2025): The company has maintained an AA grade in the MSCI ESG evaluation since 2022, placing it among the top performers in the automotive components sector. This consistent high performance reflects sustained excellence in environmental, social, and governance practices.

S&P Global CSA Top 15% (2024): Kumho Tire ranked within the top 15% of auto parts companies in the Corporate Sustainability Assessment by S&P Global, recognizing its strong sustainability performance among industry peers and demonstrating competitive excellence in corporate sustainability.

Korea Sustainability Index Tire Category Winner (2023-2025): For three consecutive years, Kumho Tire secured the top spot in the Tire category of the Korea Sustainability Index (KSI) at the Korea Sustainability Conference hosted by the Korean Standards Association. This consistent leadership position demonstrates the company's sustained commitment to sustainability excellence in the Korean market.

Korea Sustainability Report Awards Excellence (2024-2025): Kumho Tire was selected as an excellent report in the manufacturing sector of the Korea Sustainability Report Awards (KRCA) for two consecutive years, recognizing the quality, transparency, and comprehensiveness of its sustainability reporting and disclosure practices.

Manufacturing Quality Certifications: Kumho Tire maintains various quality and environmental certifications across its global manufacturing facilities, including ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, and other industry-specific certifications that demonstrate adherence to international standards.

Innovation and Technology Awards: The company has received recognition for technological innovations in tire manufacturing, including advances in fuel-efficient tire designs, sustainable materials development, and smart tire technologies that enhance safety and environmental performance.

Kumho Tire has faced significant safety challenges and regulatory scrutiny, most notably a major tire recall in 2026 due to tread separation defects that raised serious concerns about product safety and quality control in the company's manufacturing processes.

Solus TA11 Tire Recall (2026): In early 2026, Kumho Tire Co., Inc. (KTCI) announced a recall of specific units of the Solus TA11 tire in size 225/60R16 due to a dangerous tread separation defect. The company acknowledged that the tread on these tires may separate during use, causing the products to fall out of compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 139, which governs new pneumatic radial tires for light vehicles. This recall highlighted significant safety concerns as tread separation at highway speeds can cause violent vehicle control loss, potentially leading to rollover accidents, particularly on SUVs and heavier passenger vehicles commonly fitted with this tire size.

NHTSA Regulatory Action: The recall prompted intervention from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which oversees tire safety compliance in the United States. Kumho Tire agreed to respond to the recall by either refunding the original tire purchase price or replacing affected tires at no cost to owners. Owner notification letters were scheduled to begin mailing on May 3, 2026, though consumers were advised not to wait for notifications and to check the NHTSA recall database proactively if they believed they had affected tires.

Product Liability and Legal Challenges: The tread separation defect led to significant product liability concerns, with victims potentially suffering severe injuries including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal bleeding, and in some cases, death. Under strict liability doctrine, manufacturers can be held responsible for injuries caused by defective products without requiring proof of negligence, making the recall acknowledgment significant for potential legal proceedings.

Quality Control System Scrutiny: The 2026 recall raised questions about Kumho Tire's quality control processes, particularly in design, testing, and manufacturing procedures. Internal quality control data, consumer complaint records, communications with regulators, and engineering assessments became subject to increased scrutiny from both regulatory authorities and potential litigants.

Financial and Reputational Impact: The recall created significant financial implications for Kumho Tire, including costs associated with tire replacements, refunds, potential legal settlements, and reputational damage that could affect consumer trust and market share. The company faced the challenge of maintaining its competitive position while addressing safety concerns and rebuilding consumer confidence.

Supply Chain and Manufacturing Response: In response to the recall, Kumho Tire likely implemented enhanced quality control measures across its manufacturing facilities in South Korea, China, Vietnam, India, Mexico, and the United States. The company needed to strengthen its testing protocols, improve manufacturing processes, and enhance supplier oversight to prevent similar defects in future products.

Regulatory Compliance Enhancement: The recall necessitated comprehensive review of Kumho Tire's compliance with federal safety standards and regulatory requirements in various markets where the company operates. This included strengthening internal compliance programs, improving regulatory reporting processes, and enhancing cooperation with safety authorities worldwide.

Consumer Communication and Response: Kumho Tire had to manage complex consumer communications regarding the recall, including notifying affected owners, providing replacement options, and addressing consumer concerns about tire safety. The company's response to the recall became critical in maintaining customer relationships and minimizing long-term brand damage.