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EASTERN PROMISE Hankook has been a pioneer in persuading operators
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that top quality tyres need not come with a premium price tag; it now claims 8% share of the UK replacement tyre market. Among its credentials the South Korean manufacturer cites its Ford 01 quality award and its research and development agreement with Michelin (which has a 10% stake in the company).
Recognising operators reluctance to try an unfamiliar product, it offers mileage guarantees as well as pence-per-kilometre or fixed-cost accounts and free on-site basic tyre management training.
"Tyres are one of the few areas left where operators can still control costs," says commercial sales director Barry Horrooks. Hankook aims to satisfy 90% of its UK customers with three tread patterns: drive, steer and trailer. "We do offer operation-specific tyres, but in the UK, most operations fall into the regional category."
Although the tyres are shipped directly from South Korea (a Hungarian plant is due on line in 2007), Nor'-picks says availability is 95% because the company holds at least three months' stock at its Daventry warehouse
Express parcels operator Nightfreight is one fleet operator to have switched from a premium brand to Hankook. it has fitted Hankook tyres since 2003, following field trials across its fleet, which ranges from 7.5-tonners to trunking artics.
Group fleet engineer Alan Wood says: "The field trials proved to us that the overall pence-per-kilometre performance and reliability of Hankook products was superior to existing and previous premium tyre makes fitted to the fleet.'