Kumho Wins Award For Laser Etching System

Kumho’s laser etching system was launched at last Autumn’s Frankfurt motor show and embodies technology that is set to transform the way the company designs its tread patterns. The award was collected by Roger Jenkins, managing director of Kumho’s Birmingham-based European Technical Centre (KETC), who said, “We are delighted to have been selected for this accolade - it means a great deal to us that such a prestigious panel of judges has recognized the pioneering nature of our work. It is a milestone for Kumho and falls on the 50th anniversary of the company’s inauguration.

“Of course it represents the work of many people, in particular the engineers at KETC and our R&D operation in Korea, who are always open-minded about our ambitions. Thanks too to for the patience and expertise of our development partners in the UK.”

The influential 17-strong judging panel comprised: Manfred Haider, Arsenal Research; Victor Underburg, Audi; Marco Pesce, Centro Ricerche Fiat; Oliver Scholz, Fraunhofer Institut; Dr John Bullas, Atkins Highways and Transportation; Damian Harty, Prodrive; Guy Edington, Standard Testing Laboratories; Oluremi Olatunbosun, University of Birmingham; Gaetano ‘Guy’ Mannino, Verdek; Walter Reithmaier, TUV SUD; Roger Williams, consultant; Joe Walter, University of Akron College of Engineering; Ulf Sandberg, Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI); Adam Gavine, Tire Technology International; Sean Kane, Safety Research & Strategies; Paul Haney, InfoTyre and Dr Ali Ansarifar, Loughborough University.

This is the second major prize Kumho has received for its laser etching process, the first being an iF Product Design Award.

Credits: wilswong