Governor Perdue Participates in Groundbreaking Ceremony for Kumho Tire Company

MACON, May 12, 2008 — Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for Korean tire manufacturer Kumho Tire Co., Inc. The company will locate its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Macon. The new plant will create 450 jobs and $225 million in investment, including a second phase expansion.

'I am pleased to welcome Kumho Tire as they officially break ground and become part of the Bibb County community,' said Governor Sonny Perdue. 'Georgia is perfectly positioned to allow an industry leader such as Kumho to thrive and succeed, creating hundreds of new jobs for our citizens.'

Governor Perdue met with Kumho executives in Korea during his Asian trade mission last October just weeks after hosting company officials in Atlanta in August. The company, based in Gwangju, Korea, plans to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Sofkee Industrial Park in south Bibb County. The building will be 1.3 million square feet on 127 acres at the industrial park. Kumho Tire is expected to begin production in October 2009.

This new facility will enable Kumho Tire to increase supply to U.S. automotive manufacturing sectors and further expand in the North American market.

Kumho Tire opened a new distribution center in Henry County in the spring of 2007. The strategic location just off of I-75 south of Atlanta helps Kumho efficiently serve their large network of independent tire distributors and installers across Georgia and the southeast.

Kumho Tire was founded in 1960 and has grown to become one of the top 10 tire manufacturers in the world. Its products include ultra high performance tires for the automotive market and for motor sports. Kumho's focus on technology and providing excellent customer service has made it a top brand in the world of automotive tires.