![Zeus – Vaculug unveils AI-powered production system](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Zeus.jpg)
Zeus – Vaculug unveils AI-powered production system
From Mount Olympus to Grantham: Tyre retreader and fleet management solutions provider Vaculug has presented Zeus, a production system it has developed entirely in-house over a period of three years. This new system integrates state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and for Vaculug “marks a significant leap forward” in the companys operational capabilities, while setting “new standards for the industry.”
Continue Reading![Transition to EV brings with it wavering brand loyalty – Asahi Kasei](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Fig3-Drivetrain-Next-Car.png)
Transition to EV brings with it wavering brand loyalty – Asahi Kasei
In its fifth annual survey the Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei asked car users in four major automotive markets (Germany, the United States, China, and Japan) about brand loyalty and key motivators for buying electric vehicles (EVs). The results suggest tightening competition, new manufacturers entering the markets, and – perhaps as a result – “brand loyalty is wavering worldwide”.
Continue Reading![Bridgestone lays off workers at US agri tyre plant](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bridgestone-Werk-Des-Moines-sml.jpg)
Bridgestone lays off workers at US agri tyre plant
According to government information and local media reports from the USA, a significant fraction of the 1,300-strong workforce at the Bridgestone tyre plant in Des Moines, Iowa clocked off for the final time last Friday. Exactly how many is unclear: State department Iowa Workforce Development reports that 89 workers were scheduled to be laid off on 5 July; while broadcaster KCCI Des Moines says that all 216 of Bridgestone’s planned layoffs at the site took place that day.
Continue Reading![Prometeon inaugurates new headquarters](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PrometeonHQ-sml.jpg)
Prometeon inaugurates new headquarters
Prometeon Tyre Group is now at home in a new headquarters in Milan, Italy. The company now operates out of the SuperLab building in the Bicocca district.
Continue Reading![Kwik Fit shares Goodwood Festival of Speed plans](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Kwik-Fit-Goodwood-sml.jpg)
Kwik Fit shares Goodwood Festival of Speed plans
As the Goodwood Festival of Speed draws near, Kwik Fit has unveiled an action-packed schedule featuring some of the most popular BTCC drivers and cars. From 9am to 6pm each day, fans can look forward to a variety of activities at the Kwik Fit stand, including autograph sessions, interviews, Q&As, and sim racing battles. Toyota Gazoo Racing UK will also participate in the iconic hillclimb, adding to the excitement.
Continue Reading![JK Tyre & MRF publish annual reports](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/JK-MRF-covers-sml.jpg)
JK Tyre & MRF publish annual reports
Indian tyre makers MRF Ltd. and JK Tyre & Industries have published their annual reports for the 2023-24 financial year ahead of their respective annual general meetings on 1 and 2 August. Both documents can be read and downloaded here.
Continue Reading![BKT renews ‘Serie BKT’ sponsorship till 2028](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240627_Rinnovo-Serie-BKT-2028.jpg)
BKT renews ‘Serie BKT’ sponsorship till 2028
BKT has renewed its position as Title Sponsor of Serie BKT until 2028, consolidating its long-term commitment with Lega Nazionale Professionisti B (LNPB). During the first six years of this partnership, BKT reports “remarkable…in terms of audience, spectators and competitiveness” across 41 Italian cities. In the upcoming sports season, four new cities will enlarge even more the territory in which the BKT Series is to be played.
Continue Reading![Tecalemit now a Gemco company](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tecalemit-sml.jpg)
Tecalemit now a Gemco company
In June, Gemco announced its acquisition of the business and assets of Tecalemit Garage Equipment Ltd, which will now trade as Tecalemit Workshop Equipment Ltd. Providing garage equipment, diagnostic tools, and services in the UK since 1922, Tecalemit is a firm whose history and values are, for its new owner, “synonymous with the brands sold within Gemco’s parent company, Nexion SpA.
Continue Reading![Hankook Tyre UK participates in Wolf Run for Air Ambulance Services](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240704_Wolfrun_01-sml.jpg)
Hankook Tyre UK participates in Wolf Run for Air Ambulance Services
In a recent charitable endeavour, five members of the Hankook Tyre UK team took part in a 10k Wolf Run at Stanford Hall, Lutterworth, to support the Air Ambulance Services. The challenging run, set amidst dense woodland, featured both man-made and natural obstacles, testing the participants physical and mental endurance. This effort, undertaken by the Hankook wolf pack, culminated in raising £1,028 through various fundraising activities, including office cake sales and social media campaigns. The achievement positions Hankook Tyre UK among the top 15% of fundraisers on JustGiving for June.
Continue Reading![FY 2023: Dunlop Aircraft Tyres returns to profitability](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PlaneAirport-sml.jpg)
FY 2023: Dunlop Aircraft Tyres returns to profitability
In the preamble to its 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statements, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited (DATL) notes that the aviation industry began “getting back to its pre-pandemic working environment” last year after more than three years of coping with the global pandemic and associated shut- and lockdowns. Despite a host of factors such as uncertain material, transportation and energy prices, the end of the pandemic has facilitated the company’s return to the black. After recording a pre-tax loss of £2.97 million in 2022, last year DATL achieved a profit before tax of £804,000.
Continue Reading![Wheel Solutions named a UK Alliance OE2 distributor](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Josh-Budding_Wheel-Solutions.jpg)
Wheel Solutions named a UK Alliance OE2 distributor
Yokohama-ATG (Y-ATG) has announced a new partnership in the UK OE2 agricultural tyre market for its Alliance brand. Alongside Kirkby Tyres, which has served as a strategic partner to Alliance for nearly 70 years, and recent newcomer TIA Agri, Wheel Solutions is coming on board as an Alliance partner in the local market.
Continue Reading![Nokian Tyres produces its first tyre in Romania](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NokianTyresRomaniafactory1sttire02-scaled.jpg)
Nokian Tyres produces its first tyre in Romania
A few days after we published details of Nokian Tyres’ progress and timeline for its Romania tyre factory, company representatives confirmed that the Oradea plant produced its first tyre on 1 July 2024. “The milestone was reached as planned, and the building project is progressing in budget and on schedule for commercial tyre production to start in early 2025”, Nokian officials said in a statement.
Continue Reading![Profit almost doubled – Michelin publishes UK financials](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Michelin-sign-sml.jpg)
Profit almost doubled – Michelin publishes UK financials
In its financial results for 2023, published with Companies House on 2 July, Michelin’s UK operation reports a 3.7 per cent year-on-year increase in turnover, to £530 million. Michelin Tyre PLC says this improvement mainly results from a positive price/mix effect and reflects firm price discipline at a time of increasing raw materials prices, energy, labour, and other costs. Michelin further reports that its sales within the UK rose 4.5 per cent year-on-year.
Continue Reading![Building the road safety coalition – TyreSafe Annual Briefing 2024](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TyreSafe-audience-scaled.jpg)
Building the road safety coalition – TyreSafe Annual Briefing 2024
TyreSafe named its 2024 award winners at its annual briefing on 13 June, highlighting its expanded road safety stakeholder connections. In its first in-person briefing since appointing Stuart Lovatt as chair, TyreSafe presented its updated plan to change UK attitudes towards tyre safety. The event detailed Octobers Tyre Safety Month, featuring superhero-themed characters promoting the ACT (Air Pressure, Condition, Tread) checklist, and showcased a dynamic calendar aligning with partners such as the National Police Chiefs Council.
Continue Reading![John Deere tyre partnership to drive Trelleborg sales in Brazil](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Trelleborg-JDeere.jpg)
John Deere tyre partnership to drive Trelleborg sales in Brazil
Trelleborg Tires has outlined a growth plan for Brazil, including an aim to increase market share by leveraging its presence at over 300 John Deere dealerships. A new partnership, formalised during Agrishow 2024, commences this month and allows Brazilian farmers to access Trelleborg’s portfolio of over 700 products through John Deere’s after-sales network. This collaboration builds on the existing global partnership between the two companies at a regional level.
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