Roadstone

<p>Roadstone represents the accessible face of Korean automotive engineering excellence, operating as a distinguished subsidiary brand of Nexen Tire Corporation, one of South Korea's most successful tyre manufacturing enterprises. The Roadstone brand was established in 1958 by Nexen, building upon the parent company's solid foundation that began in 1942 as the Heung-A Tire Company. This early establishment positioned Roadstone to capitalise on South Korea's remarkable economic transformation during the latter half of the 20th century, when the country evolved from an agricultural economy into a global manufacturing powerhouse.</p><p>The parent company Nexen achieved significant recognition in 1956 as South Korea's first officially recognised tyre manufacturer, establishing crucial precedents for the country's automotive industry development. Through several strategic rebranding initiatives, the company evolved from Heung-A Tire Company to Woosung Tire in 1994, before adopting the Nexen Tire Corporation name in 2000. These name changes reflected the company's growing international ambitions and commitment to establishing distinctive brand identities that could compete effectively in global markets whilst maintaining strong Korean manufacturing heritage.</p><p>Roadstone's positioning as a budget-friendly brand has enabled Nexen to serve price-conscious consumers whilst maintaining the premium positioning of the Nexen brand itself. This dual-brand strategy demonstrates sophisticated market segmentation that allows the company to capture diverse customer segments across different price points and performance requirements. Manufactured primarily in Nexen's state-of-the-art facilities in South Korea and China, Roadstone tyres benefit from the same technological foundations and quality management systems that support Nexen's premium offerings.</p><p>Nexen's manufacturing capabilities have expanded significantly over the decades, with key milestones including the 1985 dedication of a facility in Yangsan, Korea, specifically for radial tyre production, followed by the opening of a third Korean plant in Changnyeong in March 2012. International expansion included establishing a production facility in Qingdao, China, which was constructed in 2007 and became operational in 2008. This geographic diversification ensures optimal supply chain efficiency whilst maintaining consistent quality standards across all production locations.</p><p>Today, Roadstone operates from Nexen's headquarters at 355 Chungnyeol-ro, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, serving global markets through comprehensive distribution networks that leverage Nexen's international presence and reputation. The brand successfully demonstrates how Korean manufacturers can create value-oriented product lines that compete effectively with established budget brands whilst maintaining the technological sophistication and manufacturing excellence that characterises modern Korean automotive industry. Roadstone's success reflects South Korea's emergence as a major global automotive supplier and the ability of Korean companies to serve diverse market segments through strategic brand portfolio management and manufacturing excellence.</p>