Pirelli opens new company libraries
Pirelli reports that it now runs three company libraries – one for each of its locations in Italy. New libraries have been opened at the Pirelli headquarters in the Bicocca area of Milan and at its plant in Bollate – these join an existing library at Pirelli’s site in Settimo Torinese.
Continue ReadingReports: ChemChina interested in Kumho
ChemChina is said to have expressed interest in Kumho Tire Co., according to Korean news source. Citing “industry sources” Pulse News said ChemChina “signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with creditors of Kumho Tire last month and began preparing for an official bid. The Chinese company selected Boston Consulting Group to advice on the deal.”
Continue Reading![Mesnac’s MERTC facility opens in Slovakia](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Mesnac-opening-ceremony.jpg)
Mesnac’s MERTC facility opens in Slovakia
Seven years after a company bearing its name was established, the Mesnac European and Research and Technical Center (MERTC) is now up and running. The Chinese machinery manufacturer’s new European development and production facility is located in the Trencianska Tepla region of Slovakia. The site’s grand opening took place on 1 October, the anniversary of the MERTC company’s founding.
Continue Reading![Continental opens rebuilt truck tyre production hall in Otrokovice](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Aerial-view-rebuilt-CVT2-hall-in-Otrokovice-sml.jpg)
Continental opens rebuilt truck tyre production hall in Otrokovice
A ceremony was held last week to officially inaugurate the newly-rebuilt truck tyre production hall at Continental’s manufacturing facility in Otrokovice, Czech Republic. The inauguration marks the completion of a three-year project that involved a CZK 4.4 billion (£146.4 million) investment and has led to the creation of 130 new jobs. The project has seen the Otrokovice site, which previously served the European, Middle East and African markets, additionally develop into a production hub for markets in America and the Asia Pacific region.
Continue Reading![Bridgestone to boost radial aircraft tyre capacity](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/kurume.jpg)
Bridgestone to boost radial aircraft tyre capacity
Capacity for radial aircraft tyre production at Bridgestone’s Kurume plant in Japan is set to increase in response to an anticipated rise in demand for these products over the medium to long-term. Bridgestone Corporation will invest a total of US$2.1 billion in the project; while the company hasn’t reported the size of its planned capacity increase, it states that the project should be complete by the end of 2018.
Continue Reading![Bridgestone plants in Hungary, Russia to use Examation tyre making system](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/examation.jpg)
Bridgestone plants in Hungary, Russia to use Examation tyre making system
Examation, a new tyre manufacturing system from Bridgestone Corporation that combines technologies from the company’s BIRD production system with artificial intelligence, will be introduced into Bridgestone’s Tatabánya car tyre factory in Hungary this year. Following the system’s set-up in Hungary, Bridgestone will then introduce Examation in its new plant in Ulyanovsk Oblast, Russia, which is expected to commence production in the final quarter of 2016.
Continue ReadingTrinseo to build S-SBR pilot plant
Swiss materials company Trinseo has announced plans for a new Solution-Styrene Butadiene Rubber pilot plant in Schkopau, Germany, for the company’s Synthetic Rubber business. The S-SBR pilot plant will allow for more efficient use of Trinseo’s production facilities and help speed up its innovation in the performance tyre segment. The plant is expected to begin operation in the final quarter of next year.
Continue ReadingGM acknowledges quality at three Bridgestone plants
Bridgestone’s Bethune, France; Burgos, Spain; and Poznań, Poland tyre manufacturing plants were honoured at the General Motors 2015 Supplier Quality Excellence Awards. The quality managers of the three plants accepted the awards at the ceremony held at GM Europe headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany on 16 September 2016.
Continue ReadingStapleton’s investment inspired by retail customers’ competitive wishes
Stapleton’s states that it has for several years engaged in expansion, rationalisation and consolidation of its nationwide distribution operation. As a result, the wholesaler says its new regional hubs and larger delivery fleet are yielding advantages for retailer customers. Wholesale director Nigel O’Hara said the company’s “constant focus on our retailers’ individual needs… sets us apart.” The company’s recent efforts have been in translating the benefits of being a national distribution operation to “real competitive benefits” on a local and personal basis.”
Continue ReadingLinglong Tire passes Volkswagen OEM audit
On 10 and 11 October, a team from Volkswagen Group evaluated Shandong Linglong Tire co. Ltd.’s suitability as an original equipment supplier. The Chinese tyre maker reports that it has passed this audit, and in doing so comes one step closer to having its tyres fitted on Volkswagen vehicles manufactured in China. At present, no tyres produced by domestic Chinese tyre makers come with Volkswagen cars as original equipment.
Continue Reading![Freight markets volatile, though cost has fallen – MCS](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/mcs-graph.png)
Freight markets volatile, though cost has fallen – MCS
As August came to its close, the worlds seventh largest - and South Koreas biggest - container shipping line, Hanjin Shipping, filed for court receivership, consumed by mounting debt schedules with creditors and increasing industry overcapacity. Hanjin had suffered annual net losses from 2011-2014 - with total debt in June reaching a staggering $5.5billion. While there may be hope on the horizon, (Hyundai Merchant Marine are in talks to acquire Hanjins vessels and staff), for the time being, ports in China and the US have denied entry to Hanjin ships and goods cannot be unloaded. Discussions between banks and Hanjin are yet to proffer a solution, though it seems likely that its Asia-United States route and related sales and marketing assets could be on sale by the end of the week in order to raise rehabilitation funds, several news sources have reported.
Continue Reading![Dealers can profit from modern classics](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/modern-classics.jpg)
Dealers can profit from modern classics
Modern classics such as the Saab 900, Ford Granada and Audi 80 are rising in popularity, and many devotees of these cars strive to maintain them as true to original condition as possible. This, says Delticom portal Yourtyres.co.uk, represents an opportunity for tyre dealers and workshops.
Continue Reading![Michelin returns to the top of online brand ranking](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/DEX-2016-chart.png)
Michelin returns to the top of online brand ranking
Michelin has returned to the top of our annual online brand equity study run in conjunction with Cambridge-based specialists NetNames. The results marks a return to fortunes for the French global player, which has dominated the research for most of the 12 years it has been running until Continental seized first position last year. Indeed, the research has only been topped by three of the tyre majors in its history – Michelin, Continental and Pirelli. However, while the top of the table has been dominated by a select few of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers, some of the biggest gains have been made at the opposite end of the spectrum where the mid-range and economy brands we study have some of the biggest gains.
Continue Reading![New warehouses, online tools and chairman mark Grouptyre’s 20th anniversary](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/EG-Wholesale-new-warehouse-e1476288718172.jpg)
New warehouses, online tools and chairman mark Grouptyre’s 20th anniversary
Grouptyre’s 20th year has been marked by several new developments, including the appointment of Gary Oliver as its new chairman of the board of directors, new warehouse expansions for members, and the continued development of e-Commerce models on the wholesale (GroupLink) and retail (Tyres Online) sides – for more on the latter, see this month’s Online Tyre Business feature.
Continue Reading![Kings Road Tyres Burton-on-Trent ‘Superhub’ a major step in restructure](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/krt-wholesale.png)
Kings Road Tyres Burton-on-Trent ‘Superhub’ a major step in restructure
Kings Road Tyres’ restructuring process has taken “a major step towards completion” with the opening of its new central Superhub in Burton-on-Trent. The company is now operating out of a 92,000sqft office and warehouse complex on a five acre (two hectare) site known as Centrum One Hundred. KRT adds that its new neighbours – businesses including DHL, Boots, Unilever, Waterstones and Holland & Barrett – show the high calibre of the location, just off the A38, and with easy access to the M1 and M6 motorway networks.
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