Polymer science expert Dr. Hwi Joong Kim’s work for Hankook Tire has attracted the attention and admiration of his former university – On October 2 the University of Akron M.D. and Ph.D. graduate received the 2009 Outstanding Alumnus award from the seat of learning.
Tyre pressure monitoring systems will be fitted standard on all new cars from 2012, and according to a study supported by Northern Ireland based remote tyre pressure monitoring systems manufacturer Schrader Electronics, the majority of UK motorists support the use of systems similar to those the company produces. Results indicate the level of public support for TPMS hinges upon how quickly and readily a system notifies drivers of tyre pressure irregularities.
Global silicone producer Momentive Performance Materials has announced the launch of a new range of elastomer products that can be cured through exposure to ultraviolet light. Unlike traditional silicone elastomers (HCR), which are typically vulcanised with a peroxide catalyst cured by heat exposure, this UV-sensitive, platinum catalysed curing system allows curing to take place at room temperature. This will, says Momentive, lead to energy savings and increased extrusion speed while maintaining the silicone elastomers’ physical properties.
China’s Commerce Ministry has labelled US measures against Chinese imports, such as the tariffs on consumer tyres, as “groundless”. On October 15 ministry spokesman Yao Jian told journalists "the US launched a large number of trade remedy measures this year. Quite a few such measures were groundless and wrong."
The Environment Agency has given Cemex the green light to burn fossil fuel substitute Climafuel on a permanent basis in its Rugby cement works. Trials using a combination of Climafuel, which is made from household waste, and shredded waste tyres satisfied the agency that the material can be used without harmful effects on the environment or human health.
In Australia, JAXQuickfit Tyres has opened a new store at Pymble, completing a triangle of premium tyre locations on Sydney's north shore. JAXQuickfit Pymble joins the stores at Artarmon and Thornleigh in offering customers an extensive range of tyres and wheels, together with steering, brake and suspension servicing. “In an extremely competitive market environment, JAXQuickfit has always had a very loyal and strong customer base on Sydney's north shore, so we're delighted to be able to offer them another convenient store location,” CEO Jeff Board said.
The managing director of Northampton-based turbocharger specialist Turbo Technics has taken the overall championship title in this year's BARC SBD Speed Championship, as well as the class honours in the Richard Egger Insurance Hillclimb and Sprint Association 2009 Speed Championship. Geoff Kershaw formed Turbo Technics in 1981, and claimed the titles at the wheel of his famous twin turbocharged Ford Sierra in his first year back in competition after a three-year break. Kershaw began sprinting and hillclimbing in 1967 and has been a regular competitor ever since. He cites as his inspiration a fellow driver who continued to race well into his 80s. Kershaw, who is 65, has no intention of giving up in the foreseeable future.
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The Rösler Group has signed a one-year supply contract with Rio Tinto to deliver Schelkmann Precured Retreaded (SPR) tyres to Rio Tinto’s iron ore mines in Western Australia. There is also said to be potential for Rösler to supply Rio Tinto’s coal operations in Queensland and New South Wales in the future. The contract includes a wide range of OTR sizes with a focus on the supply of Rio Tinto’s most important requirement, 40.00R57. According to the company, all tyres will be manufactured in Rösler’s new retreading facility in Perth (formerly owned by Rio Tinto).
Singapore based alloy wheel manufacturer YHI International Limited has appointed a new CEO of its YHI Manufacturing Group. Taiwan national Thomas Lee commenced in the role on October 7, and brings to the job more than two decades’ experience: Between 1985 and 2007 Lee was employed by aluminium wheel and casting tooling producer Lioho Machine Works in the capacity of senior vice president and chief of China operations.
Bandvulc has added the BDY3, part of a new range of specialist construction tyres, to its portfolio. As you would expect for this kind of application, the new product’s compound has been formulated especially to withstand aggressive hard working applications where tear resilience is a pre-requisite. Furthermore the BDY3 features an aggressive directional pattern, offering a large 21.5mm tread depth for “exceptional grip on all surface conditions,” say company representatives. In addition, Bandvulc says the tyre is “proven to deliver mileage benefits when the environment permits.”
After achieving sales of £43 million in full-year 2008 results, North Eastern Tyre & Exhausts (NETE) is on track to achieve a £52 million turnover in 2009. A significant part of this growth can be put down the company’s purchase of 15 HiQ centres late last year in a move that saw the company’s retail footprint grow from eight to 23 depots overnight.
The NETE-owned HiQ stores are now benefiting from a two-year programme of investment, refurbishment and development, with a £2 million rebuild of the Leeds store. Local news reports said the Leeds HiQ store will now “set the new industry standard for Fast Fit centres with a state of the art workshop and customer waiting environment” when it opens its doors to the public on 1 December.
In the US, Pirellli is raising the prices of its US P4 Four Seasons and Cinturato P5 tyres by 10 per cent, effective 1 November 2009. According to the company, the move is a result of “market pressures created by the recent tariff on Chinese consumer tyre imports” as well as increased rubber and raw material costs.
Pirelli Tire North America’s price increase is the first move from the premium sector in response to the recent Chinese import tariff and suggests that, directly or indirectly, the tariff has an effect throughout the market. Pirelli previously said that only very small shipments of certain specific products would be direcly affected by the tariff and that its influence was “not material.”
Following earlier reports that Continental AG is considering producing some of its truck tyres in cooperation with Nizhnekamskshina, a spokesperson for Continental’s truck tyre division explained that the company is: “…not involved in either the construction or investment.” Continental’s representatives refuted rumours that the German manufacturer will establish its own manufacture of light commercial vehicle tyres in Russia after the subsequent close of its Hannover-Stöcken production site in Germany. “We are – as we have said – already providing technology and know-how. The decision as to whether tyres will be manufactured for us there is completely open. If we choose to produce there, it will be to secure a share in the growth of the Russian and CIS markets. We do not intend to produce for other markets,” he continued. The company made it clear that the Continental “technology” delivered to Nizhnekamsk will not be the used production equipment from the Stöcken plant.
A fleet audit highlighting opportunities to improve business has led PHS All Clear and sister company PHS Wastetech to entrust their tyre related needs to ATS Euromaster. The West Sussex based waste management and collection companies will now utilise ATS Euromaster’s fully-managed service package for the management of tyre requirements across its nationwide fleet of 314 trucks, vans and cars.
There’s a nip in the air to remind us that winter is heading our way, and soon the cold season’s wet, icy and even snow covered roads will again be a feature of our daily lives. Still, be thankful you live in the UK, where two inches of snow is considered a blizzard. To help van drivers in countries with extremer conditions cope with what winter throws their way, Michelin has introduced the Agilis X-ICE North studded tyre. The new tyre, the manufacturer reports, enables van drivers to “safely overcome obstacles to winter driving while also generating cost savings thanks to its exceptional longevity and outstanding robustness.”
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