JK Tyre to invest in Chennai plant
At its board meeting on 24 October, the directors of JK Tyre & Industries Ltd approved a RS 14.3 billion (£144.5 million) expansion of its Chennai factory in eastern India.
‘Hurricane Machine’ increasing Conti’s production sustainability
Tyre maker Continental says a machine it has co-developed offers a new approach to recycling the rubberised steel cord scrap that arises during the manufacturing process. The unit, which has been named the ‘Hurricane Machine’, separates uncured rubber compound and steel cord by a process Continental that claims is a tyre industry world first.
Bridgestone extends championship skiing support
Bridgestone is supporting the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup as it launches this weekend with the women’s and men’s Giant Slalom in Sölden, Austria. The tyre manufacturer is now a major event sponsor at 39 World Cup Alpine Ski events, including this weekend’s opening races. This is Bridgestone’s third consecutive season of close association with the pinnacle of alpine sport, and the company will continue as a major sponsor of skiing until at least 2016, having signed a three year extension to its current deal.
Top test results for Bridgestone’s winter tyres
Bridgestone has been rewarded for its winter tyre investment with some high finishers in some major German magazines’ winter tyre tests. Representing the pinnacle of Bridgestone’s expertise in tread and compound technology, the Blizzak LM-32 performed extremely well in the latest independent tests, earning the label of “highly recommended” from Autozeitung and ends 4th out of 50 tyres in AutoBild.
Manbat pleased with exhibition triple-header
Battery supplier Manbat has supported three consecutive events in Telford, Birmingham and Paris. “Despite the complication of the timing of the events, two of which ran simultaneously, I’m delighted to say that all three exhibitions were a great success,” said marketing manager Myles Pemberton.
First Line presented with Groupauto suppliers award
Borg & Beck brand owner and UK parts supplier, First Line was presented with the presented with the runners-up trophy in the trading group’s ‘Supplier of the Year’ at the Groupauto trade show. Commercial director, Alan Wood and national accounts manager, Ian Boyle picked up the accolade at the Telford International Centre hosted show’s dinner.
Dayco appoints Chris Showan technical manager
Aftermarket parts supplier Dayco has appointed Chris Showan as the company’s technical manager. Showan brings with him more than 25 years of aftermarket knowledge and experience from time at businesses such as Supra Automotive/Moprod, Quinton Hazell and latterly, Schaeffler Automotive.
UK commercial vehicle manufacturing remains in decline
While UK car output provided good news for the industry, commercial vehicles remained in steep decline, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures show. CV output dropped 27.5 per cent in September to 6,963 units, meaning 67,609 CVs have been produced in 2013 to date, down 17.9 per cent from 2012.
UK car manufacturing rising – SMMT
The September report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders makes good reading for the UK car industry, as output has reached a level not seen since 2007-08. In the rolling 12 months since October 2012, the UK has manufactured more than 1.5 million, achieving a five-year high.
Kumho names Cash for Causes 2013 winner
Kumho Tyres awarded Kindlington Guides £5,000 in its second annual Cash for Causes competition. More than 400 charities and good causes signed up for the tyre manufacturer’s online public voting contest, sharing a fund of £100,000.
Moto2, Moto3 riders to soften approach in Japan
Dunlop has announced a softer set of compounds than in 2012 for the Japanese Moto2 and Moto3 races. The announcement comes one week after the Australian grand prix at Phillip Island, where the new aggressive track surface led to shortened races in both the Moto2 and Bridgestone-supplied MotoGP.
Yokohama’s Russian plant hosts latest tree-planting ceremony
Yokohama ’s Russian tyre manufacturing and sales subsidiary, Yokohama RPZ has hosted the company’s latest tree-planting ceremony at its plant grounds in the Special Economic Zone in Lipetsk. The ceremony is part of the company’s worldwide Yokohama Forever Forest Project.
New mining tyre for Bridgestone Americas
Bridgestone Americas has added a new radial tyre, the V-Steel Super Deep Rock (VSDR), to it portfolio of mining tyre products, Tire Review reports.
French union wants Titan talks over Amiens Nord
Reuters is reporting union leaders at a closed Goodyear plant in northern France have agreed to talks with Morry Taylor, Titan International chairman and CEO. Taylor infamously said earlier in 2013 that the plant wasn’t worth saving, but reports suggest he is reconsidering his abandoned takeover bid for the plant. The French union wants give their demands directly to Taylor in his US office, Tire Review reports.
Biggest SEMA show for 47 Years
This year’s SEMA Show is on track to be the largest in the event’s 47-year history, Tire Review reports. Already more than 2,500 exhibitors are set to cover more than one million square-feet of floor space at the show in Las Vegas, on 5-8 November. Additionally, more than 130,000 professionals from 130 countries are expected to attend.
