Unipart Automotive rescue deal close?
Reports on FT.com suggest that Unipart Automotive may be close to securing a rescue deal that will save the British car parts supplier from a bankruptcy that would put 1,500 jobs at risk. The company has filed an intention to appoint KPMG as administrators, but its owners are hopeful of reaching a deal for a takeover of the business from one of three shortlisted bidders.
Continue Reading![Kumho US plant to specialise in original equipment tyres](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/GeorgiaPlant.jpg)
Kumho US plant to specialise in original equipment tyres
As Kumho Tire announced on 1 July, construction of its facility in the US state of Georgia is recommencing after a seven year delay. The tyre maker says the first tyres will be produced in the US$413 million Macon plant in early 2016, and 100 per cent of the tyres manufactured there will be supplied to OEM customers. Kumho adds that when the 4 million tyres a year capacity plant is complete, the company’s overseas manufacturing capacity will be larger than its capacity within Korea.
Continue ReadingJumbo merger in automotive components sector?
It appears Germany’s ZF Friedrichshafen may be looking to acquire US-based automotive parts supplier TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. A statement issued by TRW Automotive yesterday confirms that it “received a preliminary, non-binding proposal to acquire the company,” however the statement didn’t go beyond saying it was evaluating the proposal. TRW Automotive did not give any details about the interested party; Bloomberg named ZF Friedrichshafen based upon information it says comes from people with knowledge of the matter.
Continue Reading![Rosneft makes its mark on Pirelli’s board](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Rosneft1.jpg)
Rosneft makes its mark on Pirelli’s board
Russian petroleum industry colossus Rosneft reports the closure of its agreement to purchase a 50 per cent share in holding company Camfin S.p.A., which owns a 26.19 stake in Pirelli & C. S.p.A. This acquisition gives Rosneft a 13 per cent indirect share in the tyre maker and the right to nominate candidates for Pirelli’s Board of Directors – a right the company chose to exercise immediately. Five new Rosneft-nominated individuals joined the Board of Directors on 10 July, filling vacancies created by five resignations that were tendered that same day.
Continue Reading![Delticom turns 15](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/np-reifendirekt-2000.jpg)
Delticom turns 15
This month, online tyre dealer Delticom celebrates 15 years in the business. The company was set up in Germany on 2 July 1999 by former Continental sales managers Rainer Binder and Dr. Andreas Prüfer, together with internet expert Timon Samusch. Initial capital invested in the company was DM 60,000 (approximately €30,000 using the changeover rate), and turnover in the second half of 1999 amounted to DM 1.8 million. On 15 January 2000, the four-employee company (at the end of 2013 Delticom had 254 employees) launched its first B2C portal, the German-market reifendirekt.de site, and the following May it entered the B2B segment with autoreifenonline.de. At its absolute peak, Delticom received 600 orders a day in 2000.
Continue Reading40% of consumers don’t know what tyres are on their car
New data from Innocean Worldwide Europe suggests that low brand recognition levels in the European tyre markets mean challenger brands have an opportunity to step up and occupy increased market share. The research found that some 40 per cent of consumers have no idea what make of tyres is on their car – and almost half of buyers (46 per cent) spend less than five minutes in the decision making process before buying new ones. Therefore the study, which was published on 8 July, adds that because tyre brands are “failing to gain traction in the minds of consumers” this is a “golden opportunity for new challengers looking to shake up the market.”
Continue Reading![Federal celebrates 60th anniversary at Reifen](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/WEB-Fed_reifen_stage.jpg)
Federal celebrates 60th anniversary at Reifen
Taiwanese manufacturer Federal marked its 60th anniversary with a gala party held in the Philharmonie Essen RWE Pavillon. Featuring its product range and long-serving and popular mascot Feddi at its Reifen 2014 stand, Federal’s diamond jubilee was described by chairman Jamie Ma as “just the beginning” in a speech given to business partners at the evening event.
Continue Reading![Linglong partnering with IDIADA in China tyre test centre project](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Linglong-IDIADA-signing.jpg)
Linglong partnering with IDIADA in China tyre test centre project
On 1 July Linglong Group signed a strategic agreement with IDIADA to partner in the construction of a central Asian tyre proving ground. The agreement was signed between Josep-Maria Farran, COO (chief operating officer) of IDIADA, and Wang Feng, vice president of Linglong Group, marking the start of this strategic cooperation.
Continue Reading![Pelmar removing, selling equipment from Fort Dunlop motorsport tyre plant](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dsc00009.jpg)
Pelmar removing, selling equipment from Fort Dunlop motorsport tyre plant
At the end of May, tyre manufacture at Dunlop Motorsport’s plant in Birmingham came to an end, with car tyre production transferred to Goodyear Dunlop’s Hanau factory in Germany and motorcycle tyre production to the company’s Montlucon facility in France. While some of the machinery from the Fort Dunlop facility will be shipped to other sites, most will be sold off; the Pelmar Group reports that it has been appointed to dispose of equipment from the plant.
Continue Reading![Gaither Tool debuts new corporate branding, extends Bazooka range](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/WEB-Reifen-Gaither.jpg)
Gaither Tool debuts new corporate branding, extends Bazooka range
Gaither Tool’s new corporate imagery made its European debut at Reifen 2014, with the Jacksonville, Illinois company’s European office also showcasing the all-new XL Smart Cart and extended Bazooka product range.
Continue Reading![Spain’s Koem Grupo to distribute Aeolus](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/AEOLUS_KOEM_20140529.jpg)
Spain’s Koem Grupo to distribute Aeolus
Aeolus Tyre has appointed Koem Grupo Comercial S.L. its consumer segment distributor in Spain, Andorra and the Spanish islands. The arrangement gives Koem exclusive distribution of Aeolus’ passenger car, van and SUV tyre ranges.
Continue Reading![Blackcircles considers investment options](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Welch_Leahy.jpg)
Blackcircles considers investment options
Following the news that Blackcircles.com opened its fourth PitStop Click&Fit tyre bay in Glasgow at the end of June, Tyres & Accessories spoke with the company’s founder and managing director Mike Welch in order to find out more about the company’s plans and hints that it is courting investment this year.
Continue Reading![The return of US tyre import tariffs?](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/red-flag-wholesale-tyres-e1369658926820.jpg)
The return of US tyre import tariffs?
The global tyre industry is keeping a watchful eye on the US International Trade Commission, which is set to make a preliminary decision on whether or not to enforce import duties on tyres produced in China. Preliminary arguments for and against this were made before the body on 24 June and since then the US Tire Industry Association (TIA) has also weighed in. However, ITC won’t make its initial ruling till 8 July.
Continue ReadingElectric vehicles used to measure air pollution
Scientists from the University of Leicester will be taking to the streets in electric vehicles (EVs) fitted with specialised air monitoring sensors, with the intention of measuring the extent of air pollution in city environments. The Air Quality Group at the University of Leicester has collaborated with Cenex, the UK’s First Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell technologies, who specialise in bringing new low and zero emission vehicle technologies to the UK roads.
Continue Reading![Apollo launches Alnac 4G all season and winter tyres](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/APOLLO-ALNAC-4G-WINTER.jpg)
Apollo launches Alnac 4G all season and winter tyres
With its sights set on gaining a bigger part of the European tyre market, on 27 May Apollo Tyres introduced two new tyres in Essen. The two new tyres, Apollo Alnac 4G All Season and Apollo Alnac 4G Winter tyres, joined to the existing range of Apollo Alnac 4G tyres being sold in Europe. Both tyres were developed in Apollo Tyres’ Global R&D Centre in the Netherlands and have been optimised to suit the requirements of European drivers and the European road network. While this was going on in the foreground, in the background the company has been involved in complex discussions relating to its much publicised plans to build an Eastern European factory. To this end Tyres & Accessories spoke with chief marketing officer Marco Paracciani. But first the new products…
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