The facility - Kumho’s first in Europe - is scheduled to open in August 2028, pending regulatory approvals. Its initial annual capacity will be six million tyres, with room for expansion depending on demand. The company has earmarked USD 587 million (around €545 million) for the project.
Kumho said it selected Poland after evaluating several European locations, citing Opole’s logistics connections, skilled workforce, reliable access to the EU single market, and investment incentives offered by the Polish government.
Opole chosen for strategic European hub
Europe accounts for roughly a quarter of global tyre consumption and generated 26.6% of Kumho’s revenue in 2024, making it a key growth region for the company.
Establishing a local production base is expected to shorten supply chains, improve delivery times, and strengthen Kumho’s competitiveness in supplying original-equipment tyres, particularly for premium car manufacturers.
The investment forms part of a broader strategy to build a tri-continental production network. Kumho is already constructing a plant in Hampyeong, South Korea, with an annual output of 5.3 million tyres, scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
The Polish facility, together with the Hampyeong plant, will create an integrated network spanning Asia, Europe, and North America.
Kumho says the expansion will support its focus on high-value products, including high-performance and large-rim tyres, and help increase profitability and brand recognition in Europe’s competitive automotive market.
The new tyre factory is set to be located in the Opole-Wrzoski district in south-western Poland.
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Source: Polish Radio English Section/Kumho Tire