Yokohama Philippines capacity to increase 143% by 2017
Capacity at Yokohama’s production site in the Philippines is to increase from seven million to ten million passenger car tyres per annum as a result of expansion work being carried out there in the next three years. This first phase expansion at the Yokohama Tire Philippines site involves the construction of a new tyre plant to complement the existing 165,000 square metre facility. Construction work will get underway after a tenancy agreement is signed in February and initial production is expected to commence in 2013, with full operational capacity reached the following year. A total of 20 billion yen (₤153.2 million) is being invested in the first-phase expansion; a further 30 billion yen is earmarked for the second-phase expansion work, which will further increase Yokohama Tire Philippines’ annual capacity to 17 million tyres by 2017.
Continue ReadingNexen aiming for US$2.5 billion sales by 2015
While most of the western world celebrated New Year at the end of December, both China and South Korea were making plans for their celebrations at the start of February, based on the lunar calendar. Back in 2010 Nexen Tire Corporation announced plans for a 1 trillion won (US$1.2 billion) investment in its largest factory yet in Changneyeong in the same region as its first plant (Yangsan), which along with the company's second plant in Qingdao, China, continues to expand. Just before the oriental entrance into the new decade, Tyres & Accessories had the opportunity to visit Nexen on its home South Korean and adopted Chinese territory and saw how the company is implementing its plans to become a US$2.5 billion company in the next five years.
Continue ReadingWealth Sea aiming for 20% Dunlop India share
Singapore based holding company Wealth Sea Pte Ltd has made an offer to acquire a 20 per cent stake in Dunlop India. The aim of this offer, which closes on February 7, is to acquire 1,43,96,575 shares in the company. Although Dunlop India is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange it is controlled to a large extent by the Ruia Group; through the Ruia floated Wealth Sea the group intends to increase its ownership share.
Continue ReadingBirla Carbon acquires Columbian Chemicals
On January 31, India’s Aditya Birla Group disclosed it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire US-based Columbian Chemicals Company from One Equity Partners, the merchant banking arm of J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. Aditya Birla has purchased One Equity Partners’ equity in Columbian Chemicals through its associates Alexandria Carbon Black Company and Thai Carbon Black Company Limited, along with SKI Investment, an Aditya Birla Group company.
Continue ReadingConti introduces ‘age-friendly’ factory programme
Germany, like many western nations, has an aging population. This creates challenges for employers wishing to retain their skilled workforce in operating environments that require physical strength and endurance. Continental AG is one such employer, and to tackle this situation it studied the workplaces of 25,000 of its employees within Germany with a view to adapting the jobs carried out to the varying needs of its staff. After completing this study Conti introduced what it calls the “workplace traffic light”, a system of identifying workplaces that are suitable for workers of any age (green), those in need of improvement (amber) and workplaces that are not age-diverse (red). One of these three colour designations has been given to each workplace following a profiling that includes the physical strain involved, concentration requirements, lighting conditions, noise, vibrations, draughts and temperatures. Continental reports that a total of 25 to 30 per cent of the industrial jobs at its sites within Germany are undergoing a redesign to enhance their suitability for older workers.
Continue ReadingRHA And FTA Welcome Chancellor's Comments On Fuel Duty
The Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association has welcomed comments made today by chancellor George Osborne that the Government is addressing the fuel duty issue. When questioned on BBC WM today Mr Osborne commented that plans made by the previous chancellor, Alistair Darling to increase fuel duty on 1 April by one penny per litre, in addition to inflation, could be addressed. "We can override it, we are looking at that", said Mr Osborne.
Continue ReadingSMMT calls for fuel duty freeze
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has called on the UK government to freeze fuel duty to relieve immediate financial pressure on businesses, fleet operators, hauliers and motorists. According to the Society the duty rise planned for April this year threatens industry, businesses and consumer confidence at a crucial and fragile point in the UK's economic recovery.
Continue ReadingBlackcircles Prepares for Volume Growth through Tesco Partnership
Following a gestation period of some five years, a new retail venture entered the UK tyre market in January 2011. Blackcircles.com has announced the launch of Tesco-Tyres.com in partnership with Britain’s leading retailer, a venture that offers access to Tesco’s massive nationwide customer base – including its 13 million Clubcard holders. Speaking with Tyres & Accessories, Blackcircles.com founder and managing director Mike Welch reflects on what the realisation of this long-held goal means for his company and what the future for Blackcircles may look like.
Continue ReadingPirelli Prices to Rise in Numerous Global Markets
Pirelli has announced price increases for its entire tyre range in all European, Middle East, African and Asia-Pacific markets. These raw materials related price adjustments take effect on March 1 and will see passenger car, SUV and motorcycle tyre prices rise three per cent and the cost of light and heavy industrial tyres increase seven per cent.
Continue ReadingNokian Delivers Anticipated 2010 Sales, Operating Profit Improvement
Nokian Tyres states that its sales and operating profit increased “more than expected” in the final quarter of 2010. The company has yet to release its quarter figures, however it estimates whole year sales in 2010 to be approximately 1.055 billion euros, compared with 798.5 million in 2009. Last year’s operating profit is estimated at 215 to 220 million euros, up from 102 million a year earlier. The Finnish tyre maker notes that sales and operating profit “grew clearly” in all its business units, fulfilling previously stated expectations.
Continue ReadingEuropean Tyre Markets Experience Steady Growth in 2010
Market figures released by Pirelli Tyre show Europe’s OE passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyre market to have grown 13 per cent year-on-year during 2010, while eight per cent growth was witnessed in the replacement market. The tyre maker’s information for the European truck tyre market shows 18 per cent growth in the replacement segment during the year. Information for the OE truck sector is currently not available.
Continue ReadingLanxess to Expand Global Political Communication
Specialty chemicals group Lanxess says it intends to intensify communication with political and social leaders on a global level. As a first step towards accomplishing this, the company is expanding its presence in Berlin with the move to a new liaison office in the German capital. This office will open on January 20, prior to the “Lanxess Kick-Off Berlin 2011” event. Lanxess also intends to open an office in Brussels some time in the spring.
Continue ReadingWill Michelin Play a Role in New Double Coin Plant?
One year after their final break up, Double Coin Holdings and Groupe Michelin may be getting back together again for a project in China, reports Tire Review. The US publication says information originally published by SinoCast Daily Business indicates the two companies are in negotiations concerning Double Coin’s planned passenger car tyre plant in Hefei, China. Double Coin announced plans for the plant in December 2010. Michelin, according to SinoCast, denies details of one rumour that has it taking a 30 per cent share in the new plant, but has offered no other statement.
Continue ReadingFocus on Selected Segments Continues with Further Trelleborg Divestment
The divestment programme underway at Trelleborg as part of the company’s strategy to focus on selected segments has taken a further step with the signing of an agreement to divest its brake hoses for light vehicles operation, which is located in Brazil and is part of the Trelleborg Automotive business area. The buyer is the French company Flexitech.
Continue ReadingConti Sales Reach 25.5 Billion Euros in 2010
Signs of a rebound in the automotive industry following the recession can be seen in the latest annual results released by Continental AG. The tyre and vehicle components manufacturer reports sales in excess of 25 billion euros. “On the wings of better than expected business in the last three months of the year, we realised sales of over 25.5 billion euros in 2010,” stated Continental Executive Board chairman Elmar Degenhart at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Furthermore, despite an additional 480 million euro year-on-year cost to the company’s Rubber Group due to record high raw material costs, Degenhart said Conti’s adjusted EBIT margin will work out to be around 9.5 per cent for 2010.
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