First Pirelli-Rosneft tyre centre opens in Moscow
Rosneft, Pirelli and the Koleso retail chain have opened the first of many Pirelli tyre centres that are planned for Rosneft service stations in Russia’s capital, Moscow. The Pirelli centre at Mira Avenue 94 has been established under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Rosneft head Igor Sechin and Pirelli & C. S.p.A. chairman and CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera on 24 May 2014 at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Continue ReadingDelticom sees red in first 9 months of 2014
While climatic conditions affected sales at Delticom in the three months to 30 September, it was its 2013-acquired Tirendo operation that wreaked havoc on the bottom line.
Continue ReadingTweel not being developed for cars – at the moment
As reported yesterday, Michelin has officially opened its new Tweel factory in the US. The plant produces the airless tyre and wheel combination for off-road commercial applications, and at the inauguration the chairman and president of Michelin North America addressed recent speculation regarding the extension of Tweel technology to passenger cars.
Continue ReadingApollo to establish Singapore base, redesignates Sarkar as chief business officer
Asia is an enticing part of the world for many tyre makers, including Apollo Tyres, which has stated its desire to make inroads there. A small but significant step it has taken into the region is the relocation of incumbent president and chief financial officer Sunam Sarkar to Singapore. Sarkar’s arrival will likely be followed by the establishment of an office in the city state, and – although Apollo hasn’t yet made any official announcement to this effect – he seems the logical choice to oversee the operation set up there. A secondary function of Apollo’s new presence in Singapore will be to aid its sourcing of raw materials in Asia; the subject of rubber is a high profile one for tyre makers in India, and despite the higher duty affixed to natural rubber compared to finished tyres, manufacturers rely heavily on imports of this raw material.
Continue ReadingBlackcircles.com introduces buy now, pay later tyre finance
Buying tyres on tick is nothing new across the pond, but a newly-announced deferred finance scheme from Blackcircles.com is said to be a UK first. The online tyre retailer says its ‘buy now pay later’ offering will enable motorists “feeling the pinch in the lead up to Christmas” to avoid the risk of driving on worn, potentially dangerous tyres. Tyres can be obtained now, with payments deferred for six months.
Continue ReadingStarco receives Croatian “Business Fly” award
Starco’s Croatia-based rim manufacturing operation, Starco Beli Manastir, has been voted the best mid-size company in Eastern Croatia and as such honoured with a “Business Fly” award. The company was nominated for the award by the Croatian Ministry of Economy based upon its track record in recent years, including growth of turnover, number of employees, operating profit and export achievement. Starco BM managing director Mario Biscan received the accolade on behalf of the company from the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, at a ceremony in the regional capital, Osijek. The operation will compete for the national title of best “Business Fly” company in a couple of weeks’ time.
Continue ReadingTIP Trailer Services extends Goodyear tyre contract
TIP Trailer Services has extended its truck tyre contract supply contract with Goodyear until the end of 2016, at which point the two companies will celebrate 10 years of working together. With more than 50,000 vehicles, TIP Trailer Services is one of Europes leading equipment services providers, specialising in the leasing and rental of trailers, tankers and other equipment. The contract, which covers the supply, service and management of tyres for TIP Trailer Services, commenced in 2006.
Continue ReadingExide files US reorganisation plan
On 17 November, battery manufacturer Exide Technologies filed a plan covering the restructuring of its operations in the USA with the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The plan and accompanying disclosure statement are consistent with the terms of the Plan Support Agreement (“PSA”) and related plan term sheet that the company entered into with the holders of a majority of the principal amount of Exide’s senior secured notes on 4 November; this plan aims to deleverage Exide by more than US$600 million and allow it to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in substantially its current form – operating across all existing business segments. Exide’s goal is for its US operations to emerge from Chapter 11 restructuring by 31 March 2015.
Continue ReadingGrand opening held for Bridgestone’s US giant tyre plant
Bridgestone Americas has opened its giant off-road radial tyre facility in Aiken County, South Carolina. Kazuhisa Nishigai, COO and board Member of Bridgestone Corporation, and Gary Garfield, president and CEO of Bridgestone Americas, were joined at a grand opening ceremony for the 140,000 square metre (1.5 million square feet) plant by state and local dignitaries.
Continue ReadingPirelli launches 2015 Cal, invites you to #TheCalExperience
Pirelli has launched the 42nd edition of its famous calendar today. Featuring 12 models selected and shot by Stephen Meisel, including Adriana Lima, Karen Elson and Candice Huffine, The Cal 2015 takes a more straightforwardly erotic approach after more conceptual recent editions. It has nevertheless achieved its fundamental purpose of getting the Italian tyre manufacturer’s […]
Continue ReadingOctober – Warmer weather chokes winter tyre sales; OE truck market weakness continues
Mild weather is responsible for far fewer winter tyres being sold in the European market in October, reports Michelin. Statistics released by the tyre maker show a seven per cent year-on-year decline in replacement market passenger car and light truck tyres in Europe (including Russia and Turkey). This drop in sales follows year-on-year growth of one per cent in the third quarter of the 2014 and was not reflected in the original equipment market, which enjoyed a three per cent year-on-year increase in November. Between the start of the year and 31 October, the original equipment and replacement markets are respectively four per cent and two per cent higher year-on-year.
Continue ReadingLanxess reports higher Q3 profits as second phase of realignment begins
Talk of a “three-phase realignment” and workforce downsizing dominated the release of Lanxess AG’s third quarter 2014 results this month. The specialty chemicals company says it is making “rapid progress” with its realignment programme and aims to achieve annual savings of €150 million by the end of 2016 via the implementation of the first realignment phase, which culls the company’s global headcount by around 1,000. Half these reductions will occur in Germany, where Lanxess is based, and mainly affect the company’s administrative and service units, marketing and sales, along with research and development.
Continue ReadingJK Tyre profits rise 18% in July-September quarter
India’s JK Tyre & Industries Ltd has reported consolidated net profit of Rs 755.9 million (£7.8 million) for the three months to 30 September 2014, the second quarter of the company’s current financial year. This result represents a year-on-year increase of 18.1 per cent. The company achieved a consolidated turnover of Rs 18.7 billion (£193.5 million), up 3.6 per cent from the second quarter of the previous financial year.
Continue ReadingKumho a Renault quality award recipient
Kumho recently became the first Korean tyre manufacturer to receive Renault’s Quality award. Sechang Park, chief operating officer and senior vice-president, accepted the award on the tyre maker’s behalf at an event held at Renault Groups world headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, during October.
Continue ReadingSecond UK distributor for Gemballa
Vehicle tuner Gemballa has increased its presence in the UK through the signing of a second distribution partner. Under the name Gemballa Liverpool, independent Porsche specialist OCD will engage in sales, fitting and service roles for the German tuner. “A decisive factor in our choice of partner, alongside high-quality technical equipment, was the experience of its workforce. Almost every employee has a background with the Porsche brand or in the Porsche tuning sector,” commented Gemballa CEO Andreas Schwarz. “Therefore we have found the optimal complement to our existing representation in London, which is operated by the renowned Porsche specialist Charles Ivey Ltd.”
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