2009 - Page 180 of 205 - Tyrepress

Bridgestone Australia Announces Temporary Plant Shutdown

Bridgestone Australia Ltd has announced a temporary pause in production at its Salisbury manufacturing facility in South Australia. Shawn Hara, group chairman and managing director of the Australian Bridgestone operation, said the plant, which employs around 600 people, would be taken offline from April 14 to 27 2009 inclusive to reduce inventory holdings in line with consumer demand. No jobs will be affected by the closedown, notes the manufacturer, and employees will have access to leave entitlements. Hara also stated that no further shutdowns were planned for 2009.

“The economic slowdown is having an impact on consumer demand around the world and Australia is no different,” Hara said. “This step is a reflection of Bridgestone Australia’s ability to react quickly and prudently to the current situation to ensure we protect the long-term viability of our manufacturing business and the jobs of our valued employees.”

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho Becomes a New York Cab Supplier

Kumho Tires reports it is “excited to have its beloved tyres sported by the iconic yellow taxicabs of New York City.” Recently Kumho Tire USA announced it has been providing tyres to New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (NYTLC), an agency that regulates New York City’s yellow taxicabs. The South Korean manufacturer’s products are being fitted as replacement tyres to yellow cabs operating in Manhattan, joining several other replacement tyre manufacturers, including Goodyear, Pirelli, Michelin and Continental, which also supply the taxis.

“We have supplied two thousand tyres to NYTLC since 2008, we expect the amount of supply to continually increase through local distributors for years to come,” said a Kumho Tires official. Currently around 1,500 yellow cabs ply the streets of Manhattan, assuring the tyre maker a steady stream of business.

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Stamford Tyres Bringing Several New Lines to Tyrexpo Asia

Stamford Tyres has been busy this past year. The Singapore based company brought a number of new products to market in 2008, including the Sumo Firenza ST07 range. Initial production began in mid-2008, with new sizes being gradually introduced throughout the rest of the year. The complete range, which covers 13 to 16-inch rim fitments in 60 and 70 series, includes 26 sizes in total. The ST07 features a directional tread pattern that features twin centre grooves for water drainage, and slash sipings intended to reduce noise levels and effect faster water drainage.

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Exports Now More than Half of Deestone Production

Initially established in 1978 by a group of Thai industrialists, Deestone Limited began life as a producer of tyres and tubes for the industrial and agricultural sectors. In 1994 the company diversified, and along with adding scooter and bicycle tyres to its product portfolio, at this time Deestone also initiated a stronger focus on the export of its specialty industrial tyres and inner tubes.

Currently, more than half of the Deestone Group’s products are exported, with markets including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Egypt, Israel and Jordan. The company’s total asset base exceeds 500 million baht (£10 million) and approximately 3,000 workers are on its payroll. Deestone currently operates three manufacturing facilities in Thailand, with a combined capacity of 100,000 tons.

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Euro-Tyre Supplying Infinity Brand Within Europe

For a quarter of a century Euro-Tyre has operated as a distribution partner within the tyre industry. In 2003 the Netherlands based company took on Infinity brand, and is now the distributor of Infinity tyres in a number of European countries. At present Euro-Tyre is delivering the Infinity brand to Germany, Austria, the Benelux countries, Portugal and the Czech Republic, however it says that further markets may be added to this should demand be sufficient.

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Carlisle Annual Figures Reflect Difficult Times for Industry

Carlisle Companies Incorporated has reported net sales from continuing operations of US$623.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, a 1 per cent decline in net sales from continuing operations of $631.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The company says that a downturn sales in its Transportation Products segment, which includes Carlisle Wheel and Tire, along with its Construction Materials segment offset growth in other areas of the company’s business. For the full-year ended December 31, 2008, net sales from continuing operations were $2.97 billion, an 11 per cent increase over net sales from continuing operations of $2.68 billion in 2007. Sales increased in all segments, says Carlisle and organic sales growth was 3 per cent.

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Takeover Rumours Cause Conti Shares to Rise

Shares in Continental AG rose 11 per cent on February 6 in response to circulating rumours that Pirelli & C SpA may wish to acquire the company’s tyre business – a move that, should it take place, would give the erstwhile competitors a comprehensive product portfolio. Reuters quoted an unnamed trader as saying “There is a rumour that Pirelli may be interested in Conti’s tyre business.”

Italian magazine Il Mondo has reported that banks have approached the Italian company about buying the Conti business, however neither Pirelli nor Continental have confirmed or denied any such activity. The Il Mondo article claims that Pirelli executives have conducted, on separate occasions, meetings with JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank, Mediobanca and a number of advisers.

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

First Stop Helps Motorists Get Tanked

A handful of lucky motorists across the UK were given something to smile about when they arrived at the petrol pumps this week. Representatives from Bridgestone’s First Stop network took to the roads to give motorists a helping hand by paying for their fuel at selected forecourts across the UK. This largesse had a purpose – to launch First Stop’s promotion to win a whole year’s worth of fuel. During February, March and April customers purchasing two or more Bridgestone or Firestone tyres are entered into a free prize draw.

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

EW Swiers & R Grainger See Demand Increase

Tyre recycling’s growth is illustrated by the story of a relatively new company’s plans to expand its operation with a new pre-shredder. The father-daughter partnership of EW Swiers & R Grainger Tyre Disposal and Rubber Chip, started early last year when they set up a tyre shredding facility at Ruffort, on the outskirts of York, North Yorkshire. A year ago, the company took delivery of a shredder to produce 20mm chips, stripping out the wire, for the Equine Market. Within the year the company has met 80 per cent of its targets.

Swiers comments “We feel we were getting positive signals of increased demand about 12–14 weeks ago, so we ordered an additional pre-shredder from New Zealand that will increase our throughput three fold, thus meeting our current demand for the Equine Market.”

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Before Chipping: Crushing and Cutting

Tire Service Equipment and Saf-Tee Siping & Grooving, or TSISSG as it is known to its friends, is perhaps best known for its machinery dealing with the maintenance of tyres. However, Scottish retail business Overton Garage is heartily behind the company’s series of wheel crushing and tyre cutting equipment, having sold hundreds of examples over the years. The company reports great results for those who have made the investment; if it is time for a beloved set of rims and rubber to go to the great recycler in the sky, you may as well do them the service of making the job a quick and efficient one.

For over 25 years TSISSG has been a leading manufacturer and innovator of products and equipment for the tyre service and tyre recycling industries. Its products are designed and developed by experts in the respective industries with a passion for testing and quality, manufacturing almost all of its products in the USA.

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

E and H Ramps up Shred Speed with Evashred

Having made the purchase of an Evashred EV60E dual shaft tyre shredding machine complete with force feed hopper from Ecosystem Limited, Northampton’s E and H Tyres is looking, in the words of manager, Rob Holloway, “both [to] increase the number of tyres shredded per hour and save ourselves money on repairs on our existing equipment”. E and H Tyres currently process an average of 3000 tyres per day through the machine.

The Evashred EV60E tyre shredder will slot into the company’s existing system in front of the main shredder, preparing the tyres for the machine to more efficiently process them. The machine can process 2 tonnes, or around 250 car, van, 4×4 and light commercial tyres per hour. Its force feed hopper eliminates blocking and bridging on the shredder.

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Phantom Expander Set Sights on Wide Exhausts

Connoisseurs of customised exhaust systems beware – a New Zealander fed up with boy racers disturbing his peace and quiet is taking the law – and a can of expanding foam – into his own hands. And the targets of his wrath are none other than wide exhaust pipes, for him symbols of all that is wrong in today’s motoring world.

5th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hercules Tire Appoints Bill Trimarco as CEO

On February 4, Ohio, USA based Hercules Tire Company announced a new man at the helm. Effective March 2, William Trimarco will take over from Lawrence Seawell as the company’s chief executive office. Hercules reports that Seawell, who has held the role since late 2005, recently resigned to pursue other opportunities.

“We are thrilled to have Bill Trimarco as the new CEO of Hercules,” said Howard Romanow, managing director of parent company FdG Associates and member of the Hercules Board of Directors. “We have known Bill for ten years and have long respected his operational and leadership skills. We think his experience with complex, value-added distribution, international sales and foreign sourcing makes Bill a great fit to lead Hercules, and we look forward to working with him to help execute the company’s business plan.”

5th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Cut Production at North American Plants

In a move to reduce inventory at some of its facilities, Michelin North America is reducing production of selected product lines. The company has described these cuts, which will affect five North American plants, as coming “in response to the unprecedented deterioration in market conditions.”

“Market demand is down tremendously,” said Michelin spokeswoman Lynn Mann. “Consumers are being very careful in their purchases. They’re driving fewer miles. As fewer goods are shipped, commercial truckers are driving fewer miles.”

5th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Launches Online Biker’s Club

Get your motor running…Bridgestone is launching a new online meeting place for bikers and enthusiast alike. The ‘Biker’s Club’ site, which can be found at http://www.bridgestonebikersclub.co.uk/index.php, is free to join and use. Furthermore, Bridgestone says the site offers members special offers and unique benefits, plus advice from some of the top experts in their field. A given example of the many things members can expect to find, adds the tyre major, is behind the scenes insights into MotoGP and even interviews with some of the riders.

5th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

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