MAM has announced plans to showcase its latest tyre market solutions at the forthcoming CV Show. Autopart Tyres, which is designed for tyre distributors, auto-centres, garages and workshops, will be a primary focus, according to the company. Built around MAM's powerful Autopart management application, the suite comprises a number of innovative components that can be combined into a single integrated system.
Toyo Tires has released four new sizes in its Proxes R888 range, aimed specifically at 19-inch staggered wheel fitments on a range of Porsche models. The new sizes are 325/30ZR19, 345/30ZR19, 245/35ZR19 and 265/35ZR19 meaning that for the first time, owners with these tyre requirements will be able to opt for the race-proven grip of the Proxes R888.
Kraiburg Austria reports that it will continue investing in machinery, facilities and processes at its Geretsberg site this year in order to provide its retreading partners the best possible quality and service. The company has earmarked a budget of three million euros for several projects, with a major chunk of this amount expected to be directed towards Kraiburg’s extruders. These will be upgraded to enable their meeting of potential future requirements, such as an extension of the tyre label to retreaded tyres. The Austrian retreading specialist also intends to provide its research and development department with an additional laboratory mixer. Last but not least, the company will invest in numerous process operations in order to improve production and administrative efficiency.
Kent-based supply chain specialist, Solstor UK Ltd has reported a reduction of almost 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions since moving to a Vacu-Lug new and remould tyre policy for its tractor unit fleet and from a new-only policy to a Vacu-Lug remould policy on its trailer fleet last May.
Hankook Tyre UK has a diverse product portfolio, but when it comes to Easter the company has put all its eggs in one basket – and donated them to local charities and centres for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism. The tyre maker has donated hundred of Easter eggs to the Daventry-based Sure Start Children’s Centre, The Cube Disability, a centre for adults with learning disabilities and autism, and Northampton based charity Kidsaid.
In reporting its 2012 results, Pirelli & C. SpA says it achieved “record profitability” last year thanks to its “focus on premium and efficiencies.” Net profit rose 27.4 per cent year-on-year to 398.2 million euros on the back of a 7.4 per cent increase of sales to 6.1 billion euros. EBIT rose 34.2 per cent to 780.8 million euros and the EBIT margin went up from 10.3 per cent in 2011 to 12.9 per cent last year.
Cooper Tire & Rubber and its guayule rubber research consortium partners have reviewed initial progress on their US$6.9 million Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) grant from the USDA and the US Department of Energy. The meeting highlighted significant progress being made in several areas, including guayule plant genome sequencing needed for future breeding tools, irrigation studies to maximise rubber content in the plant, and completing laboratory testing to develop a guayule tyre-grade polymer specification for future commercialisation.
With the recent launch of the ST:01 Neverending Energy line, Pirelli says its ‘01’ commercial vehicle tyre range is now complete. The 01 portfolio now covers the ‘R’ segment (medium to long range), ‘W’ (winter tyres), ‘H’ (long range) and ‘G’ (for mixed road and construction site use).
Pirelli has identified the popularity of what it calls “crossover utility vehicles” (CUV), which continued to grow in popularity over the past year. The more compact SUV has begun to bring new motorists to the segment, with both the safety and comfort of its larger cousins, but also the promise of improved fuel economy. Pirelli’s Scorpion Verde in particular has provided an option within its range to motorists attracted to a more efficient SUV, designed as a low rolling resistance 4×4 tyre.
The diversity of TyreSafe’s membership is a major strength of the road safety organisation, and its latest recruit, tyre management software provider Cam Systems, increases this factor even further. As a supporter, Cam Systems will assist TyreSafe in a wide range of campaigns aimed at raising the awareness of correct tyre maintenance.
Demand for used vehicles overseas is leading to cars targeted for export selling for up to twice their UK value or more at auction, say independent car information experts CAP. But the used vehicle export phenomenon is not confined to cars, with CAP's experts also reporting a constant flow of trucks, trailers, motorcycles and vans abroad as the export trade grows every day. This trade, supplying almost every continent with used British vehicles, is pushing prices ever higher in the UK and creating shortages of certain models.
…but may be counter-suing the Environment Agency for millions. On 1 February Recycled Construction Systems Ltd (RCS) was ordered to pay £27,244 in fines and costs for illegally storing 100,000 waste tyres at a warehouse in East Devon. In the case was brought by the Environment Agency (EA) and heard at Exeter Crown Court RCS was found guilty of illegally depositing and storing 96,000 waste tyres at Westerhope Units, Dunkeswell. According to the EA, the company was one of several defendants in the South West’s largest ever waste crime investigation.
Dana Holding Corporation has officially opened a 12,000 square-meter (129,000 square-foot) technical centre in Wuxi, Jiangsu Provence, China. The Dana China Technical Center will provide advanced product and applications engineering for original-equipment manufacturers in the light-vehicle, commercial-vehicle, and off-highway markets in China and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Reports from India suggest private equity firm KKR and Co. is in the last stage of talks to buy as much as an 80 per cent stake Alliance Tire Group. The latest news, which follows a couple of months of speculation about the deal, values the company at around US$600 million. According to livemint.com, KKR will buy out the stake currently held by another private equity firm, Warburg Pincus Llc, as well as the minority stake held by certain other stakeholders.
Infinity Tyres says it will seek to extend its 4×4 range to provide 18-20” fitments in summer 2013. Currently the brand offers the versatile INF 200 all-terrain tread pattern, which features large shoulder blocks with optimised sipe positioning to increase wet handling. The tyre is currently available in 15-17” dimensions.
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