Brembo invests in software, data and AI centre in Silicon Valley
Brake manufacturer Brembo is opening a “Brembo Inspiration Lab” in California’s Silicon Valley (USA) to strengthen the company’s “expertise in software development, data science and artificial intelligence.” The Brembo Inspiration Lab is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2021. No details of the associated investment have yet been released.
Continue ReadingNTDA announces 2021 Tyre Industry Awards finalists
The 2021 Tyre Industry Awards finalist shortlist has been published by the NTDA. The awards are due to be presented at a ceremony sponsored for the seventh consecutive year by Sailun Tyres, during the association’s 92nd Annual Dinner on Thursday 7 October at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Birmingham. The dinner is sponsored by long-standing NTDA supplier member, and Tyre Industry Awards supporter, Maritime Cargo Services, while the awards will be hosted, once again, by popular TV personality and Rugby Union pundit Mark Durden-Smith. The 2021 finalists include many former award winners, finalists, and some new nominees.
Continue ReadingBridgestone to sell car tyres retreaded at former plant site
As mentioned on Tyrepress.com yesterday, the future of tyre making at the site of Bridgestone’s recently-closed Béthune in France has been secured by a deal signed this month between major European vehicle maintenance and mobility firm Mobivia and French retreading specialist Black Star. With support from Bridgestone, the partners are gearing up to retread car, SUV and light commercial vehicle tyres in Béthune – products that Bridgestone intends to sell through selected retail outlets.
Continue ReadingTorque from the Top – Chris Smith, managing director, Michelin Tyre plc
Michelin has been in the UK since 1905, and it has been making tyres there since 1927 when its Stoke-on-Trent factory opened. Michelin’s Stoke-on-Trent plant still produces retreaded truck tyres, which use 70 per cent less raw material than a new tyre. Stoke-on-Trent is Michelin’s UK headquarters, and it is the global headquarters of Michelin Lifestyle – the manufacturer’s licensing operation. The Michelin Training and Information Centre pushes up standards, safety and knowledge through courses attended by tyre technicians and emergency services from the UK and overseas, while Michelin Development supports new and small businesses in selected regions. Michelin in the UK also produces the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland, giving readers expert and independent advice on where to stay and where to eat, and listing restaurants worthy of a world-famous Michelin Star. Michelin UK has strong links with other Michelin Group companies in the country, including Camso, Fenner and Blackcircles.com. The Michelin Group employs more than 123,000 people globally. Tyres & Accessories recently interviewed UK managing director Chris Smith in order to get his view on subjects affecting the market today. Torque from the Top is a regularly feature in the print edition of Tyres & Accessories magazine. Not a subscriber? No problem, click here to become one.
Continue ReadingSTARCO meeting robotic industry demand with puncture-free innovations
STARCO’s knowledge of light transportation applications, including tyre and wheel solutions for trolleys, sack trucks and wheelbarrows, has a long history. The firm is the largest Europe-based manufacturer of puncture-proof tyres in this segment, and it is drawing upon its experience and synergies in order to cater for a growing market.
Continue ReadingJapanese Ambassador visits GS Yuasa plant
Japanese Ambassador to the UK, Hayashi Hajime, visited global battery manufacturer GS Yuasa’s factory in Ebbw Vale on Friday 9 July as part of an official two-day visit to Wales to celebrate the strong connections between the two countries. During the visit, Hayashi Hajime toured the plant, which is owned by the Japanese based corporation and celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year, seeing first-hand how industrial batteries are produced by the 360-strong workforce.
Continue ReadingFalken donates 5,000 euros to Offenbach young
Falken has donated 5,000 euros to the Offenbach-based organisation “von Herzen zu Herzen gemeinnützige GmbH” (the “Heart to Heart” charity). The donation has been shared between two charities supporting children: Theresien Kinder- und Jugendhilfezentrum e.V. (St. Teresa Centre for Aid to Children and Young People) and Förderverein der Mathildenschule (Foundation of the School of Saint Matilda).
Continue ReadingETRMA: All-season the big winner as tyre sales return to 2019 levels
While sales of consumer replacement tyres in Europe are once again approaching 2019 levels, the all-season tyre segment has grown significantly – primarily at the expense of winter tyre sales.
Continue Reading10-year tyre trends show how UHP segment beat the pandemic
The significant decline in revenue for global tyre makers based on headwinds from the Covid-19 pandemic was felt most keenly by companies with the greatest exposure to the consumer vehicle tyre markets. (For the effects of the crisis on manufacturers, see our ranking of the world’s top tyre manufacturers in the Company section of our 75th anniversary special issue.) As many countries reduced private mileage considerably with working from home orders and travel restrictions – not to mention the negative effects of measures such as the UK’s MOT freeze, which removed a significant push factor in the market for much of 2020 – car tyre sales last year dropped considerably, though again there were big differences even within the EU27 and UK. Within car tyre segments there were significant differences in the depth of the contraction too. Broadly speaking, the higher value the segment, the better it tended to fare. Pirelli’s financial reporting for 2020, and the subsequent first-quarter growth in 2021, provide a good illustration of how higher performance segments provided increased resilience in these difficult times.
Continue ReadingMaintenance-free tyres by end of decade: Goodyear tests airless tyres on self-driving shuttle
It is, says Goodyear Tire & Rubber, an industry first – a local transportation authority in the USA is field-testing the non-pneumatic tyre and wheel assembly the tyre maker developed for autonomous urban vehicles. The lessons learned will contribute towards the further development of maintenance-free tyres.
Continue ReadingDTM acquires TyreWatch
Skelmersdale headquartered tyre management specialist DTM, which is backed by Palatine Private Equity, has acquired TyreWatch, Europe’s market-leading provider of real-time tyre monitoring technology. Based in Basingstoke, TyreWatch provides digital tyre management services to monitor and manage the wheels and tyres of HGVs and public service vehicles. Established in 2017, it has grown to support clients across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.
Continue ReadingDestination Italy – Goodyear’s latest Blimp tour
This is certainly Italy’s week, and not just on the football pitch. A fortnight after taking in London and Southern England, the Goodyear Blimp is cruising towards Milan and will arrive there on Thursday. In addition to flying over the city, it will provide motorsport fans with aerial coverage of the WEC 6 Hours of Monza on 18 July.
Continue ReadingContinental invests in industrial sensing start-up Feelit
Continental has acquired a minority stake in Israel-based start-up Feelit Technologies Ltd. The investment took place as part of a round of Series A Funding valued at US$7 million, however, the exact amount of Continental’s holding hasn’t been disclosed. Continental anticipates that this new relationship with Feelit will benefit several business areas.
Continue ReadingHalfords sells its Avayler software to American Tire Distributors (ATD)
Halfords has entered the B2B software market by making American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) the first customer of Halfords’ Avayler proprietary software which streamlines “service delivery for companies that operate in multiple locations.” According to Halfords, the Avayler platform will underpin ATD’s operations, supplying tyres to 80,000 garages across the US. ATD will also be the exclusive provider of the Avayler Mobile platform to the North American automotive market. ATD is one of the largest independent suppliers of tyres in the US replacement market and the part owner of Tirebuyer.com (which was established by blackcircles.com founder Mike Welch). No price details associated with the sale of the Avayler software system to ATD have yet been disclosed.
Continue ReadingLotus reveals new Emira sports car on Goodyear OE tyre
Earlier this month, Lotus revealed its latest sports car; the Lotus Emira. According to the company, it “delivers exotic supercar appeal in the sports car segment” and “above all, it looks like a Lotus”, while the design is “beautiful, timeless, memorable and modern.” Of course, what really interests this magazine are the wheels and tyres, and Lotus says that the Emira will have four 20-inch wheels. Standard tyre fitment is the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport, with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 available as an option. Lotus says that both tyres have been specially developed for the Emira by their manufacturers.
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