Enlarged Slovakia tech centre opens as Continental prepares to increase R&D headcount
Continental is gearing up to increase its research and development workforce by 15 per cent at its Púchov site in Slovakia after the official opening of its expanded facility there. The company held an opening ceremony at its new Tires Technology Center today in the presence of Slovak Republic Prime Minster Róbert Fico, Continental Tire Division head Nikolai Setzer and representatives from local management and the workforce. The additional research and development capacity at Púchov was realised through a €7.5 million investment.
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From shoe to sidewall – Timberland tyre range launches at SEMA
Some people, perhaps, tie their laces, gaze yearningly at their footwear and wonder – why can’t I buy a brand of tyres to match my boots? If you relate to this scenario, then today is your lucky day. Singapore-based Omni United, owner of the Radar tyre brand, has entered into a collaborative agreement with lifestyle brand Timberland. The two companies are producing a range of tyres under the Timberland name, and the ultimate aim is for the rubber used in the tyres to make its way into Timberland footwear; Omni says the compound used in the tyres is suited to this purpose, and the end of life Timberland tyres will be returned through a network of recyclers led by Liberty Tire Recycling. The arrangement and the new brand were announced at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas on 4 November.
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Third-quarter income up 14.1 per cent at Continental
Following what it calls a “solid third quarter”, Continental Corporation has confirmed its forecast for the 2014 fiscal year. The tyre and automotive systems manufacturer reported net sales of €8.7 billion in the period between 1 June and 30 September, a year-on-year increase of 3.8 per cent. EBIT decreased 28.0 per cent to €637.8 million in the three-month period, with EBIT margin declining from 10.6 per cent in Q3 2013 to 7.4 per cent, however net income rose 14.1 per cent to €495.1 million. Earnings per share amounted to €2.47, up from €2.17 a year earlier.
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Jean-Dominique Senard continues as Michelin managing general partner
Michelin has announced Jean-Dominique Senard will continue as Michelin managing general partner. The news follows a meeting of the board of directors of Société Auxiliaire de Gestion (SAGES), in its capacity as non-managing general partner of Compagnie Générale des Etablissements Michelin (CGEM) on 6 October 2014. During this meeting SAGES submitted a proposal for approval to the Supervisory Board to renew Jean-Dominique Senard’s term for another four years from 22 May 2015 (the previous terms official expiry date).
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Sales of the Sentury
How does a tyre manufacturer grow from nothing to having large-scale international sales and a few percentage points of market share in a country like the UK in just five years? The answer is by starting with a blank piece of paper and by virtue of some strategic acquisitions.
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We’re going to need a bigger booth: ATS Euromaster to celebrate 50th at CV Show
ATS Euromaster will mark 50 years in the industry on its largest ever stand at the 2015 Commercial Vehicle Show. Hosted at the NEC, Birmingham, ATS-E has exhibited at consecutive CV Shows for more than 10 years, and will occupy over 25 per cent more space than in 2014. Group Sales Director Peter Fairlie says the extra investment from the business is a combination of celebrating achievement, and growing confidence in the market.
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Hankook increases operating profit, sales
On the back of an expanding original equipment portfolio and higher ultra-high performance tyre sales Hankook Tire has reported increased operating profits and sales in its third quarter, reversing a year-long downward trend. The manufacturer has global sales revenues of 1,250 million euros (KRW 1.72 trillion), with operating profit of 208 million euros (KRW 276 billion).
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Trelleborg partners new Farming Simulator 15 video game
Partnerships between tyre manufacturers and game software developers are nothing new in motorsport simulations. However the broad range of tyre applications is being increasingly matched – much to the chagrin of the #GamerGate campaign – by the breadth of subjects presented in popular video games. Popular franchise Farming Simulator completes the cross-platform release of its 15th iteration this week, and with a large increase in the range of machinery brands presented in-game, publisher Giants Software has upped the ante considerably. Agricultural tyre manufacturer Trelleborg has been selected as the in-game tyre supplier, a partnership that the manufacturer has pronounced itself “delighted” to “associate [its] brand” with. Trelleborg even announced its intention to use the game as part of its stand at forthcoming agricultural exhibitions.
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