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When Tyrepress.com published its current ranking of the world’s largest tyre makers several months ago, a new name occupied 9th place – ZC Rubber. With revenues of RMB 26.9 billion (£3.1 billion) in 2018, China’s largest tyre maker had moved up one place from the previous year on the back of 12 per cent year-on-year […]
Avon Tyres welcomed members of the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) to its Melksham headquarters last Saturday for a celebration of the two British brands, 60 years after pairing up for victory at Le Mans.
Construction work on a project to expand STARCO’s operation in Poland officially commenced last week. STARCO says the addition of new warehouse and fitting facilities at the Mielec site, around 50 miles east of Krakow, will increase floorspace from 2,500 to 5,500 square metres. The new facilities should be operational early next year.
Tyre production at Michelin’s plant in Bad Kreuznach, Germany has been supplemented by a new facility dedicated to making 18- and 19-inch rim diameter tyres. Its entry into operation introduces the larger diameter into the plant’s production portfolio for the first time. The new machinery replaces equipment used to manufacture 14- and 15-inch tyres, products that have seen a significant drop in customer demand.
Long-distance touring enthusiasts rejoice: Michelin had introduced a GT version of its Road 5. The tyre maker states that the Michelin Road 5 GT has been “developed in exactly the same spirit and to the same rigorous standards” as its 2018-launched sibling, but focuses on the specific requirements of touring bike riders looking for “safety, comfort, long life, stability and sheer riding enjoyment” in a range of conditions.
Bridgestone has inaugurated the newly expanded warehouse at its tyre production plant in Tatabánya, Hungary. The new 10,000 square metre addition to facility’s warehousing was set up as part of a HUF 9.2 billion (£25.2 million) investment to develop the Tatabánya site and increases storage capacity by 180,000 tyres. The plant’s warehousing can now store up to 600,000 tyres, a growth that is expected to aid Bridgestone’s business with original equipment customers.
Nokian Tyres is responding to what it calls the “weak development of the European car and tyre market” with plans to reduce employee numbers at its Nokia production facility in Finland. It appears Nokian Tyres is looking to lay off approximately 50 workers and additionally dismiss an unspecified number on a temporary basis.
It isn’t just idle words when Bridgestone says it “takes seriously any unauthorised use or infringement of its patents, trademarks or any other intellectual property.” A fortnight after reporting that a Chinese court ruled in its favour in a patent infringement lawsuit Wanli Tire, the tyre maker shares it has received a favourable ruling from the Intermediate People’s Court in Qingdao. The ruling relates to its design patent infringement lawsuit against Chinese firm Shengtai Group and its subsidiary, Shandong Shengshi Tai Lai Rubber Technology Co., Ltd.
Sailun Group Co., Ltd. has issued a new timetable for the completion of its project to add capacity for larger rim passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyres at its Dongying factory in China. The self-funded investment to add 15 million units of capacity will now be implemented by December 2020 rather than this year, as originally planned. According to Sailun Group, the level of investment in the project and proposed usage of the funds remains the same.
Nokian Tyres says it has taken the first step towards digital, real-time tyre management with the launch of Nokian Tyres Intuitu. This new digital monitoring system combines sensor-equipped tyres with a mobile application that records the sensor data, keeping the user informed about vital tyre pressure and temperature. Intuitu will initially be available for agricultural and contracting tyres, however Nokian Tyres intends to extend the system to its entire commercial tyre range.
Tyres from the Pirelli Collezione range for vintage and modern classic cars have taken a first-generation Mazda MX-5 to world record glory on the 30th anniversary of the roadster’s launch.
As we reported in July, progress is being made at European and international levels towards deciding on a wet grip test for worn tyres. Michelin actively supports this development and claims that driving on tyres to the legal tread depth of 1.6mm can be completely safe. The tyre maker is therefore critical of a magazine test that suggests this isn’t the case at all.
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Instead of just approving the use of its technology under license, Scandinavian Enviro Systems (Enviro) intends to introduce its technology worldwide by participating in joint ventures. To facilitate the setting up of such plants in the USA, Enviro’s board of directors has founded a holding company in that market.
The new BKT carbon black plant at the company’s Bhuj site in India is expected to reach 100 per cent capacity by 2021. The tyre maker says that production capacity for carbon black reached 60,000 tonnes by the end of June 2019; trial production commenced on 28 June. Capacity is expected to reach 80,000 tonnes by the end of September and continue increasing to a planned production capacity of 130,000 tonnes per annum.
Prinx Chengshan reports that “steady progress” is being made at its new tyre factory in Thailand. Construction work commenced on 31 March and the purchase of key equipment by invitation to tender has now been completed. The company estimates that all steel production workshops, mixing workshops, and supporting public works will be completed by the end of this year. Production at the site should commence in 2020.
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