![ZC Rubber’s “remarkable” 2020, new products & digital strategy](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ZC-Rubber-Shen-sml.jpg)
ZC Rubber’s “remarkable” 2020, new products & digital strategy
Good news stories have been thin on the ground of late, but when ZC Rubber describes 2020 as a “remarkable year,” it means it in the very best sense of the word. The tyre maker elaborated on why the previous 12 months were so positive at its China Distributors Conference, which took place on 30 December. As well looking back on its achievements, ZC Rubber presented its vision for further digital innovation and gave a sneak preview of products arriving in 2021.
Continue Reading![Tony Lee joins Kumho as senior vice-president of global marketing](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/GANGSEUNGTONYLEE-scaled.jpg)
Tony Lee joins Kumho as senior vice-president of global marketing
Kumho Tire has appointed Gangseung ‘Tony’ Lee as senior vice president of Global Marketing, effective 1 January 2021.
Continue Reading![Chinese wheelmaker opens second production line in Morocco](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/dicastal-inauguration-26-12-2020-photo-article-web.png)
Chinese wheelmaker opens second production line in Morocco
Aluminium casting and automotive parts specialist, Citic Dicastal kicked off production at its second aluminium wheel factory in Morocco at the end of December 2020. With a budget of 350 million euros, the Chinese wheelmaker aims to double its capacity in Morocco to 6 million wheels and create a total of 1,250 jobs. According to local news reports, the Dicastal-made wheels are destined for vehicles made by the French OEM PSA Group as well as exports.
Continue Reading![LafargeHolcim confirms it will buy Firestone Building Products in US$3.4 billion deal](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/fsbp-lafargeholcim-hero.jpg)
LafargeHolcim confirms it will buy Firestone Building Products in US$3.4 billion deal
The world’s largest cement maker, LafargeHolcim, has confirmed that it will buy Firestone Building Products from Bridgestone Americas in a US$3.4 billion deal. The sale is designed to enable Bridgestone to “strengthen investments in company’s tyre business and fast-growing mobility solutions business”, according to an official statement.
Continue Reading![Michelin cutting up to 2,300 jobs in France](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/michelin-sign-logo-sml.jpg)
Michelin cutting up to 2,300 jobs in France
Michelin has announced its intention to “evolve” its activities in its France by means of a three-year competitiveness plan covering all of its manufacturing, corporate and administrative operations within the country. The company is taking this step as a response to “profound, structural shifts in the global tyre market” over the past decade that have been “led by the massive influx of low-cost products.” The plan could see up to 2,300 of the 20,000 Michelin jobs in France cut over the coming three years.
Continue Reading![Name change for Hankook Tire holding company](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/hankook-and-co.jpg)
Name change for Hankook Tire holding company
Following a name change approved on 29 December 2020, Hankook Technology Group – the holding company of Hankook Tire & Technology – is now known as Hankook & Company. By retitling this entity, Hankook says it aims to leverage its affiliates’ brand awareness and create synergies.
Continue Reading![Pyrolyx files for insolvency in Germany](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Pyrolyx-Insolvency.jpg)
Pyrolyx files for insolvency in Germany
Recycled carbon black compnay Pyrolyx AG has cancelled the extraordinary general meeting it had scheduled for 15 January 2021, and has done so as the company has filed to open insolvency proceedings. The case (number 1507 IN 2125/20) was filed with the Munich District Court on 4 December 2020.
Continue Reading![Yokohama rebrands ATG business](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/YOHT-3-brands.jpg)
Yokohama rebrands ATG business
Yokohama Rubber’s off-highway tyre business, Yokohama Off-Highway Tires (YOHT), has unveiled a new corporate identity and corporate logo. The tyre maker says this new identity draws on the company’s century-old legacy while underlining YOHT’s own distinct space in the off-highway segment. As a result, the ATG trademark was phased out around the world as of 1 January 2021.
Continue Reading![Michelin and Enviro to build joint recycling plant](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/59_QWJzdHJhY3QgYmFja2dyb3VuZCB3aXRoIGVhcnRoLmpwZw-scaled-e1602237450291.jpg)
Michelin and Enviro to build joint recycling plant
On 22 December, Scandinavian Enviro Systems and Michelin agreed on the principle terms for establishing a first jointly owned recycling plant and a license agreement regulating the terms of use for Enviro’s recycling technology as well as subsequent compensation. At the same time, the agreement details that compensation applies to the first plant as well as for any future plants that Michelin might decide to build.
Continue Reading![Sentury Tire appoints Martin Winter global technical director OE](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Profil_Foto_Martin_Winter_30122020-e1609763301664.jpg)
Sentury Tire appoints Martin Winter global technical director OE
Qingdao Sentury Tire Co., Ltd. has appointed Martin Winter as global technical director OE. Winter has more than 20 years’ experience of working in original equipment tyre development with Continental, Goodyear, and most recently Hankook. Sentury Tire states that Winter will work to establish relationships with leading original equipment manufacturers. Sentury is seeking to “establish and increase a competitive partnership and relationship” with European and global light vehicle makers. Manufacturing from its base in Qingdao, China and in Thailand, Sentury is primarily known for its Landsail brand in the UK and Europe.
Continue Reading![State support for Apollo Tyres’ investment in Hungary production](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Apollo-Hungary-sml.jpg)
State support for Apollo Tyres’ investment in Hungary production
Earlier this year Apollo Tyres announced it would transfer much of the remaining car tyre production in Enschede, the Netherlands to its factory in Hungary. To accommodate this change, the tyre maker has approved a HUF 4.4 billion (£11.2 million) investment to modernise and expand consumer tyre production at the Gyöngyöshalász site. Hungary’s government is supporting this project with a HUF 1.4 billion (£3.6 million) grant.
Continue Reading![Westlake and Arisun billboards unveiled in four countries](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ZC-Rubbers-WESTLAKE-Tire-Showcases-on-American-Eagle-Screen-in-New-York-min-scaled.jpg)
Westlake and Arisun billboards unveiled in four countries
ZC Rubber, the world’s 9th largest tyre manufacturer, has unveiled large billboards in four famous in the United States, Australia, Thailand and Germany.
Continue Reading![Kordsa at leadership level in CDP ranking](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Kordsa-CEO-Ali-Caliskan-scaled.jpg)
Kordsa at leadership level in CDP ranking
In addition to the leading tyre manufacturers ranked highly on the recent Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) ranking, tyre manufacturing material supplier Kordsa has scored well in the Climate Change and Water Security programs since 2016. This year, the company increased both its climate change and water security report scores from B to A- in the 2020 reporting period and therefore rose from management level to leadership level.
Continue Reading![VW Caddy 5 will run on first AA-rated Giti Tire](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ph122a.VW-Caddy-5-scaled.jpg)
VW Caddy 5 will run on first AA-rated Giti Tire
Giti Tire has produced its first AA-rated EU label tyre. The GitiSynergyH2 original equipment tyre, produced in size 215/55R17 XL 98H for the bestselling VW Caddy 5 light commercial vehicle, achieved A grades in the EU label’s wet grip and fuel efficiency metrics. The deal follows Gitis first LCV OE deal with Volkswagen earlier in 2020, for the larger Crafter model. An aftermarket version of the new GitiSynergyH2 will be launched in the aftermarket in March 2021, replacing the GitiSynergyE1 and GitiPremiumH1, both of which were part of the original Giti brand launch into Europe in 2016. Label ratings for the replacement range will be confirmed during the model’s aftermarket launch.
Continue Reading![Toyo breaks ground on Serbia tyre factory](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Toyo-Serbia1.png)
Toyo breaks ground on Serbia tyre factory
Toyo Tire Corporation and its Toyo Tire Serbia LLC Belgrade manufacturing subsidiary broke ground at the site of Toyo’s new tyre plant in Indjija City, the Republic of Serbia, on 15 December 2020. Toyo Tire’s eighth tyre manufacturing base is due to start tyre manufacturing operations in April 2022, with a capacity of 5 million passenger car tyres per annum by the summer of 2023.
Continue Reading