Kumho Tire has achieved its target of producing 10,000 tires per day, just three months after resuming operations at its Gwangju plant following last year's fire.
The company said Wednesday that the Gwangju plant produced 10,565 tires on February 26, exceeding 10,000 units for the first time.
The milestone came approximately nine months after the fire and three months after partial operations resumed.
The May fire at the Gwangju plant had halted all production. Following a special labor-management agreement in July, the plant resumed operations in November with a daily output of 4,000 tires. Production increased to 6,000 tires per day in January before reaching the 10,000-tire target.
The achievement holds particular significance as it demonstrates how employees overcame the crisis through a strong sense of responsibility and mutual trust following the major fire.
Company-wide support and the dedication of workers who steadfastly maintained operations during the challenging process of site cleanup and equipment restoration provided a solid foundation for this accomplishment.
"Producing 10,000 tires is not merely a performance metric but proof that we have risen again, representing the sweat and effort of all our employees," said Jeong Young-mo, head of Kumho Tire's Gwangju plant. "I extend my deepest gratitude to the employees who trusted their colleagues and stood by their posts during this crisis."
Jeong emphasized that safety and quality will remain non-negotiable priorities in future plant operations.
Meanwhile, Kumho Tire is accelerating construction of its Hampyeong plant. The first phase targets daily production of 15,000 tires, or 5.3 million annually, with operations scheduled to begin in the first half of 2028.