Nexen names Edwin van der Stad vice president OE Europe
Dutchman Edwin van der Stad has been appointed as vice president OE Europe at Nexen Tire. Van der Stad brings 30 years of experience and premium level OE management with him to the Korean tyre manufacturer. Prior to joining Nexen, van der Stad spent many years with Bridgestone. Van der Stad’s new role took effect in March.
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Michelin UK reopening Stoke headquarters in mid-July
Michelin Tyre Plc reopened its retread manufacturing plant at the end of April, but – like much of the company – has been largely working remotely during lockdown. Now, the company is reopening its Campbell Road, Stoke-on-Trent headquarters from mid-July in a bid to move towards the new normal. But what does that look like? Tyres & Accessories spoke with UK managing director Chris Smith in order to find out.
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PCL appoints new operations director
PCL has appointed Dean Battersby as operations director at the company’s UK headquarters in Sheffield. Battersby takes from Mark McCaughey, who has retired after 30 years of service. Having worked for multi-national companies servicing the automotive, aerospace and rail industries, Dean Battersby brings over 22 years of executive experience in manufacturing, operations, procurement, logistics and product management. He holds a BEng (Hons) Degree in Engineering and Business and has an impressive track record in strategy development and implementation, with extensive experience in establishing global supply chains to accommodate increasing levels of customer service.
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Workers leave Michelin Dundee factory for final time
Workers at Michelin’s Dundee plant are leaving for the final time today as the manufacturer ends its half-century of operations in the city. The final Dundee-made Michelin tyre was produced on 23 March, as the Coronavirus pandemic interrupted the planned closure of the site. The Unite union agreed to the early end to production, with Michelin honouring all wage commitments until the final closure date, 30 June. The 2018 decision to close the factory was informed by the rapid increase in consumers’ preference for lower-cost alternatives within the smaller size range the factory was equipped to produce. Michelin supported efforts to find employment for staff at the factory, including the relaunch of Michelin Development, which aimed to create hundreds of jobs in Dundee and Angus.
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Conti: Corona bridge concept will save jobs
First, analysts warned in mid-May that Conti’s R&D budgets and European tyre factories could face cuts. Then the Hannover-based tyremaker responded by saying it is “intensively” monitoring European tyre demand and production. By June the CEO was warning staff of job cuts. Nevertheless, despite such clear challenges facing the wider automotive industry and beyond, the company is still advancing innovative solutions to the very complex problem. Colleagues at our German sister-publication, Neue Reifenzeitung, which can be found online at reifenpresse.de, found that the so-called “Corona bridge” concept is at the forefront of Conti’s work to address the adverse conditions and save jobs.
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Yokohama Europe puts European distributors under Hiroyuki Shioiri’s chairmanship
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has expanded Hiroyuki Shioiri’s responsibilities for companies across Europe including Yokohama HPT in the UK. Effective 1 July 2020, is now Hiroyuki Shioiri Officer, President of Yokohama Europe GmbH, Chairman of Yokohama Reifen GmbH, Chairman of Yokohama Scandinavia AB, Chairman of Yokohama H.P.T. Ltd., Chairman of Yokohama Iberia, S.A., Chairman of Yokohama France S.A.S., President of Yokohama Austria GmbH, President of Yokohama Danmark A/S, President of Yokohama Suisse SA, President of N.V. Yokohama Belgium S.A. Prior to this appointment Hiroyuki Shioiri was Officer, Head of Corporate Planning Div., Chairman of Yokohama Europe GmbH.
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New sales director at SMP Europe
SMP Europe has appointed Wayne Hodgkisson as its new sales director. Hodgkisson has previously overseen the company’s tier one sales strategy, where he was successful in bringing further growth into the business, the company states. In his new position he will oversee the entire sales department with a key focus on supporting growth with customers and buying groups, as well as tapping into new opportunities.
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Erich Fric becomes Goodyear managing director consumer Europe Central
Following the news that The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed ex-Brisa and Bridgestone executive Hakan Bayman as president of Goodyear’s consumer tyre business in Europe, it has emerged that former Goodyear Dunlop UK MD, Erich Fric has been appointed as Goodyear managing director Europe Central. Both appointments are effective 1 July 2020.
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Goodyear names Hakan Bayman as president of European Consumer Business
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed ex-Brisa and Bridgestone executive Hakan Bayman as president of Goodyear’s consumer tyre business in Europe, effective 1 July 2020. Bayman will be based in Brussels and report directly to Chris Delaney, president Goodyear EMEA.
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Britishvolt appoints Charles Morgan to advisory board
Britishvolt has appointed automotive specialist Charles Morgan, to both its advisory board and board of directors, as a non-executive director. Charles Morgan, whose grandfather founded world-renowned British brand Morgan in 1909, combines his automotive heritage with a deep global industry knowledge, and a passion for a sustainable, green future. In his new role, he will become a valuable contributor in guiding Britishvolt to realising the full potential of the UK automotive supply chain. Considering his experience in automotive production, the news is reminiscent of earlier analysis that gigafactory battery production could be poised to replace lost OE vehicle construction in the UK post-Brexit and now in the post-corona context.
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Alejandro Recasens joins Apollo Vredestein
Alejandro Recasens has joined Apollo Vredestein as Cluster Director South-West, responsible for Spain, France, Italy and Portugal. Having had a successful career with Pirelli Tyres spanning two decades, Recasens is now spearheading Apollo Vredestein’s plans for growth in the markets of southwestern Europe.
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Maxxis re-appoints Dr Wally Chen as chairman
Former Maxxis International president Dr Wally Chen is leaving retirement to assume the chairmanship of the company. Dr Chen, who oversaw Maxxis’ rise to the ranks of the world’s top 10 tyre companies, will assume the chairmanship effective immediately following a vote by the company’s board of directors at a recent meeting. He replaces former Maxxis/Cheng Shin chairman Robert Lo (pictured).
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Cimcorp separates tyre and warehousing sales teams
Finnish automated equipment specialists Cimcorp has separated its tyre manufacturing and warehousing/distributions sales teams due to increased demand. The new structure of system sales at Cimcorp’s headquarters, which is effective from the beginning of June, is designed to “support the company’s growth and form the basis for…continuing development”.
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ContiAcademy offers online REACT licence renewal
Continental has become the first tyre manufacturer to offer commercial tyre technicians the chance to gain and renew their REACT licence online via the ContiAcademy. The new online offering has been set up to ensure technicians working across the UK can remain up to date with REACT (Roadside Emergency Action Concerning Technicians) licencing, despite restrictions on public interaction ongoing in light of Covid-19.
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