RICHMOND, B.C. — Hankook Tire Canada has just opened its second Canadian distribution center, this one in the west.

It was only last spring that the company opened its first facility in Brampton, Ont. Hancook is the seventh largest tire manufacturer in the world.

The new Richmond, B.C. operation will support retailers and multiple distribution points in Western Canada.

Hankook hopes the facility will significantly reduce lead time for product delivery as the result of a competitive shipping policy which includes pre-paid delivery to qualified orders of direct-account customers.

“Hankook Tire experienced great success and a strong presence in western Canada,” says Bill Hume, vice-president of Hankook Tire Canada. "We strategically chose the Vancouver region for our second distribution centre to better support our retail customers and distributors, expediting our time to market.

“This new distribution center is an integral part of our growth strategy in Canada and part of our global long-term strategy to become the next generation tire company.”