Sterling Automotive Design makes Davanti official tyre partner
Vehicle customiser Sterling Automotive Design has signed a new partnership with Davanti Tyres. Blackburn-based Sterling is a new design house specialising in reimagining iconic vehicles with British style. Their work includes bespoke full-vehicle, premium customisations and lighter-touch enhancements to external bodywork or upholstery. Sterling brand director Doug Topott said fellow British brand Davanti shares “a similar ethos” to the company.
Continue ReadingSo long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye EU
As the February 2020 issue of Tyres & Accessories goes to press, the United Kingdom is officially leaving the European Union after three years of intense dispute and debate. At the same time, 2019 wasn’t a great year for the automotive and tyre industries (see page 36 onwards for further details of what has transpired during the last 12 months). And with a no-deal scenario presenting the possibility of import tariffs on and parts, 2020 doesn’t look like it is going to be a whole bunch better. However, while the disappointing performance of the car and tyre markets is linked to Brexit, the issues are not one and the same.
Continue ReadingCaterpillar ‘Platinum’ certification for 4 Bridgestone tyre plants
Four tyre plants in Japan and the Americas are amongst seven Bridgestone Corporation facilities to receive Caterpillar Inc.’s highest Supplier Quality Excellence Process (SQEP) rating. The manufacturer of construction and mining equipment has awarded Platinum Level certification to Bridgestone’s Hofu and Shimonoseki (Japan), Des Moines (USA) and Santo André (Brazil) plants.
Continue ReadingDawsongroup pledges support for Transaid
Dawsongroup has selected international development organisation Transaid as one of its two lead partner charities. The UK owned business specialising in the provision and funding of supply-chain assets across Europe has joined 37 corporate members from across the transport and logistics industry supporting Transaid’s primary goals of improving commercial driving standards and ensuring better access to healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa. Transaid projects are currently underway in 12 countries, including Madagascar, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Continue ReadingYokohama named on CDP 2019 Climate Change A List
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has been named on the 2019 Climate Change A List announced on 20 January by CDP, a global environmental impact non-profit organization (NPO) that aims to promote the realization of a sustainable economy. Inclusion on the internationally prestigious CDP A List of companies with outstanding environmental performance recognizes Yokohama Rubbers efforts to mitigate climate change as being of the highest global standard. This is the second time Yokohama Rubber has been included in the CDP Climate Change A List, following its first listing in 2016.
Continue ReadingBridgestone begins latest expansion at Polish car tyre plant
Almost 18 months ago, Bridgestone announced it would invest at least 160 million euros in its passenger car tyre plant in Poznań, Poland. A stage in this factory expansion project began on 20 January with the laying of a foundation stone for additional production buildings.
Continue ReadingMichelin amongst Fortune’s most admired companies
Fortune magazine has ranked Michelin the top tyre manufacturer and third within the Motor Vehicle Parts category in its ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ for 2020.
Continue ReadingPirelli major shareholder Chemchina restructuring
On 23 January 2020, Pirelli & C. S.p.A. received a notification letter from its largest shareholder, China National Chemical Corporation Ltd. (ChemChina), informing the firm that it is undergoing “strategic restructuring”. The restructuring notice covered both ChemChina and Sinochem Group Co., Ltd.
Continue ReadingTyre management software supplier integrates CAM’s e-jobsheet
Tyre management systems supplier X-Data is integrating e-jobsheet into its Esapneus and ArcaPneus ERP software for the Italian dealer market.
Continue ReadingThe Parts Alliance to supply Petronas Syntium premium oil
The Parts Alliance has announced a long-term partnership with Petronas Lubricants International as its supplier of premium oil.
Continue ReadingSRI: New technique for examining materials within tyre rubber
Working together with a Japanese university, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) has established a new technique for observing materials contained within tyre rubber. This process differs from existing methods as it enables an evaluation of the actual rubber used in mass-produced tyres rather than relying upon processed test samples. The company behind the Falken tyre brand foresees the technique facilitating the development of tyres with superior performance characteristics.
Continue ReadingManenti promoted in Trelleborg Wheel Systems EMEA reorganisation
Elio Bartoli, EMEA president & global OEM at Trelleborg Wheel Systems (TWS) has announced several management changes to the Europe, Middle East and Africa regional organisation, all of which came into effect on 1 January, 2020. The announcement follows the news of Richard Lyons’s appointment as its new UK managing director.
Continue ReadingNokian Tyres: Lower sales and operating profit in 2020
Nokian Tyres expects that its net sales in 2020 will be below last year’s and operating profit will be “significantly” beneath 2019 levels. Operating profit will primarily be affected by costs related to the company’s expansion in North America and other investment programmes.
Continue ReadingFrance: Michelin, unions agree on support programme for redundant employees
Michelin’s plan to close its truck tyre factory in La Roche-sur-Yon, France took a step forward last Thursday when it signed an employee support agreement with four trade unions. This agreement with the CFDT, CFE‑CGC, SUD and FO unions followed 12 weeks of negotiations that took place between October and January.
Continue ReadingJon Butcher appointed MD of Formula One Autocentres
Formula One Autocentres has appointed Jon Butcher as its new managing director. The long-standing employee started as a tyre technician at its second depot in Rayleigh in 1987. Butcher climbed the ranks to become assistant manager, then manager, area manager and general manager before joining the board as sales director in 2005.
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