Electrical appliance behind Goodyear Dunlop fire
Fire investigators from the West Midlands Fire Service have determined the cause of the blaze at Goodyear Dunlop’s UK headquarters on 18 February. It appears that the fire was caused by a “large electrical appliance”; the appliance has now been sent away for further testing.
Continue ReadingJim Smith, editor of Tire Review, dies
The editorial team at Tyres & Accessories/Tyrepress.com were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Jim Smith, editor of US tyre industry publication Tire Review. Smith, aged 58, died suddenly at the ‘Tire Industry Association OTR Conference’ in San Diego last week.
Continue ReadingYokohama winning more 4×4 OE tyre business
Lately Yokohama has been increasing its presence in the 4x4/SUV OE tyre segment, with more tyres selected by manufacturers for initial fitment. According to the company, there are 24 new additions to the Advan Sport V105 size line-up, such as 235/50R19, 275/45R21 and 275/40R22. Indeed, this large SUV-orientated tyre has been chosen as original equipment by Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.
Continue ReadingRecall: Dunlop SportMaxx GT, size 255/40 ZR19 100Y XL
Goodyear Dunlop has recalled 1,084 Dunlop SportMaxx GT tyres. The recall affects size 255/40 ZR19 100Y XL summer car tyres produced in weeks 37 and 38 of 2015 and is taking place in order to ensure the return of 369 tyres that were manufactured using the wrong tread compound.
Continue ReadingExport markets a focus for Ceat agricultural tyre plant project
Indian tyre maker Ceat Ltd reports it has given its wholly-owned Ceat Specialty Tyres Ltd (CTSL) subsidiary land in Ambarnath, near the city of Mumbai, for the purpose of erecting a new greenfield radial OTR tyre factory on the site, and has further aided the project through an Rs 250 million (£2.6 million) equity investment in CTSL in the October to December 2015 quarter. Altogether, CTSL will invest Rs 3.3 billion (£33.8 million) to build a plant with an initial daily capacity of 40 tonnes.
Continue ReadingSumitomo Rubber Industries setting up new regional headquarters
On March 30, Sumitomo Rubber Industries will decentralise the day-to-day supervision and management of its overseas offices and subsidiaries, handing responsibility for this over to three newly-formed regional headquarters. The tyre maker and industrial/sporting products manufacturer believes that the establishment of headquarters for Europe and Africa, the Americas and the Asia Pacific regions will help the company gain a greater understanding of the business situation in each area, and by doing so accelerate its decision making process.
Continue ReadingHankook Tire refreshes its European web presence
Hankook Tire has relaunched its website for the UK and 11 other European markets. The reported aim of the redesigned hankooktire.com website is to cater to a growing demand for first-hand online information; in addition to providing details about products and offering a search function based on tyre size or vehicle type, the site includes an upgraded dealer locator tool that points motorists to their closest Hankook retailer by postcode or city.
Continue ReadingLassa launches global TV advertising campaign
Following the pre-launch of its first global TV campaign in December in 2015, Lassa Tyres’ main global TV ad campaign starts began airing during the weekend of 20-21 February 2016. Under the brand motto, “the tyre that never tires”, Lassa Tyres’ first global TV campaign aims to reinforce Lassa Tyres’ brand values, while also capitalising on its sponsorship links with FC Barcelona. Lassa’s 30 second ad campaign on Eurosport available is in more than 54 countries and lasts until May 2016.
Continue ReadingMichelin declared top 10 European brand in Best Brands study
Michelin has been named one of the 10 best corporate brands in Europe following a representative study by Best Brands. “We are delighted with this outstanding result,” says Anish K Taneja, director of sales Michelin Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Continue ReadingFire at Goodyear Dunlop’s UK headquarters site
Goodyear Dunlop’s UK headquarters at Tyre Fort in Birmingham have been damaged by fire. According to West Midlands Fire Service, a fire broke out at the Wingfoot Way site yesterday evening and spread through the building’s ventilation system. Crews were called to the scene just after 7pm. The Fire Service announced shortly before midnight that the fire had been extinguished.
Continue ReadingBridgestone: Sales, operating income up in 2015, net income declines 5.4%
Bridgestone Corporation has reported net sales of ¥3,790.2 billion (£23.3 billion) in the 2015 financial year, a 3.2 per cent increase on the previous year’s result. Boosted by price mix, foreign exchange gains and favourable prices for raw materials, operating income climbed 8.2 per cent to ¥517.2 billion (£3.2 billion), however net income decreased 5.4 per cent year-on-year to ¥284.2 billion (£1.7 billion).
Continue ReadingPirelli’s Inter Milan sponsorship to continue
In Milan, FC Internazionale, perhaps better known as Inter Milan, and Pirelli have confirmed that they are finalising an agreement for a five-year, long-term relationship regarding the football club’s shirt sponsorship deal. No details of the financial arrangements were given, except that the deal will include a fixed component and a variable one, based on the team’s sporting performance.
Continue ReadingNokian, Bridgestone amongst this year’s TTI Awards honourees
According to a panel of 27 judges, Bridgestone Corporation is this year’s Tire Manufacturer of the Year. The company was named victor in this Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence 2016 category at a gala dinner in Hanover, Germany last night. The winners of four other category awards and a lifetime achievement award were also announced.
Continue ReadingBridgestone joins SNR-i initiative
Bridgestone Corporation shares that its subsidiary in Singapore has signed the Sustainable Natural Rubber Initiative (SNR-i) on behalf of the global Bridgestone group. By signing this declaration, Bridgestone says declares its intention to support and abide by worldwide guidelines for responsible procurement of natural rubber. The company also has committed itself to maintaining active involvement in the SNR-i pilot phase.
Continue ReadingPirelli supporting Tesla SUV development
It looks like the SUV game as we know it is going to change considerably. Pirelli’s latest homologation is for Tesla’s new SUV, the Model X. And with publications such as the Daily Telegraph describing Tesla’s previous launch – the Model S – as the “most significant new car of the last 20 years”, it’s clear that the latest product could be just as revolutionary. Especially when you look at the performance figures.
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