OE aspirations as Westlake prepares to move upmarket
Last week, ZC Rubber hosted a dealer conference and driving experience event for European dealers at the Nürburgring Nordschleife that provided its European partners an opportunity to personally experience the performance of two flagship tyres. The company also spoke about the path it intends to take with Westlake and Goodride.
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Continental Q2 2023 preliminary results
Continental has published preliminary figures for Q2 2023, reporting that it anticipates sales within its Tires group sector of approximately 3.5 billion euros, a figure in line with the analyst consensus compiled by the company as of 12 July. The company expects adjusted EBIT margin of around 13.7%.
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GRI acquires Hungarian distributor ATRA
Off-highway tyre specialist GRI has acquired Hungary-based tyre distributor ATRA Kecskemet, a company reported to hold a more than 50 per cent market share in the country’s material handling and construction tyre markets. The acquisition includes eight ATRA branches across Hungary and brings the firm’s 50-strong workforce into the GRI fold.
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ETRMA: Economic worries deflate tyre sales deflate in Q2 2023
Tyre sales in the European replacement market remained low in Q2 2023. The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) reports negative evolution in all segments, with inflation driving costs increases that, combined with global economic insecurity, are stifling demand.
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With Europe, America factories planned, ZC Rubber prepares for IPO
China’s biggest tyre maker wants to grow even larger and expand its manufacturing footprint to Europe and North America, producing tyres that approach the premium market. To finance these ambitious plans, ZC Rubber will debut on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in the not-too-distant future.
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Kerridge Commercial Systems buys Compilator, expands into Northern Europe
Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), the ERP and business management software provider, has agreed to buy Compilator, which mainly operates in Sweden, Finland and the UK. The acquisition of Compilator is described as a strategic investment for KCS, supporting its strategy of growing into Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Compilator, which itself serves the tyre and distribution sectors in 2,000 locations throughout the Nordics, UK and Ireland, bought UK-based tyre software business Team Systems back in 2016 as well as the fleet-orientated Inforoute operation in 2019.
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Autogem’s Under Pressure ’23 praised for inflating TPMS standards
Protyre’s Liam Healy and Hometyre’s Craig Schwartz were crowned TPMS Experts in the large and small retailer categories respectively, while Lewis Marshall from Formula One Autocentres prevailed in the under-23s category of Autogem’s second competition to find the country’s leading tyre pressure monitoring system technicians and raise standards and awareness within the industry. More than 1,000 retail sites entered Under Pressure ’23, with 12 technicians beating hundreds to make the final, putting their problem-solving skills to the test at the Pirelli Performance Centre (PPC) in Burton-upon-Trent on Wednesday 28 June. The finalists were praised for detecting various TPMS faults in a quick and efficient manner and communicating them clearly thereafter. Following a successful first outing, Autogem expanded the competition with its third award, focused on young and emerging talent.
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Giti Tire appoints senior manager automotive engineering Europe OE
Giti Tire has appointed Lars Ohnsorge as senior manager automotive engineering Europe OE. The company said the appointment of the experienced tyre professional would further strengthen its original equipment operations, following the recruitment of Nicolas Kluson as key account manager Europe OE in April, with both providing in-depth technical support and direction from the company’s European R&D Center in Hannover, Germany. Giti said its new OE team will immediately focus on the manufacturer’s existing OE relationships with BMW Group, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), VW Group (Audi, Seat, Skoda, VW) and VW Commercial Vehicles as well as introduce the Giti brand and business philosophy to other key vehicle manufacturers.
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Basketball: BKT becomes EuroCup title sponsor
In addition to renewing its status as a partner to Euroleague Basketball, BKT Tires has become the title sponsor of the EuroCup championship. This new three-year Premium Partnership coincides with changes to the competition format. BKT will also continue to support EuroLeague as a Premium Partner and will promote its brand at both competitions’ games through in-arena, broadcast and social media platforms.
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Growth within SuperTruck dealer network
Halfway into 2023, Prometeon Tyre Group speaks of “continuous growth” within its SuperTruck dealer network this year and shares news of a meeting of partners from around Europe at the first SuperTruck International Convention. This event in Parma, Italy brought dealers from the UK and other countries together and offered the opportunity to share current and future Prometeon strategies, products, and marketing activities, and to talk about expansion of the SuperTruck project in Europe.
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Prinx flagship car tyre brand launched in Milan
Prinx Chengshan’s flagship tyre brand has entered the European market in style at a lavish event in Milan, Italy. Hosting tyre distributors and dealers from all around Europe the brand chose the European fashion capital as its launchpad to signify its bullish expectations for the new range, which arrives offering fitments for a comprehensive range of applications, premiumised technologies, and a European marketing strategy openly setting mid-range-plus targets from the off. During a day of driving workshops at Alfa Romeo’s historic La Pista circuit, Tyres & Accessories was able to trial two Prinx tyres fitted to Tesla Models 3 and Y, and Mercedes AMG A Class hatchback and SUV models: the Xnex Sport EV UHP tyre designed for electric vehicle compatibility, and the Quattura 4S all-season tyre. T&A also spoke to several representatives from the brand’s European team, including the manufacturer’s European CEO Thomas Wohlgemuth who is heading up the rollout of the brand around the continent, about its new products and aspiration to make its mark on the European tyre segment.
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Yokohama’s Thailand tyre factory wins Isuzu award
Isuzu Motors Co. (Thailand) Ltd. (IMCT) recently awarded Yokohama Tire Sales (Thailand) Co. Ltd. (YTST) and Yokohama Rubber (Thailand) Co. Ltd. (YRTC), which manufactures and sells hoses, its “IMCT QD Score 100 Points 3Y” award. The Isuzu Motors Limited subsidiary presented the award at a ceremony held by IMCT on 31 May.
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Pirelli names BoD candidates
Italy has applied its Golden Power Decree to Pirelli & C. SpA, influencing the choice of candidates for the next Pirelli Board of Directors. Pirelli reports that its incumbent Board of Directors have received two lists of candidates ahead of the Shareholders Meeting scheduled for 31 July 2023.
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Greenergy establishing ELT facility in Teesside
Greenergy International Ltd. has submitted a planning application for two renewable fuel plants in Teesside, including a facility that utilises the company’s Green Tyre Technology (GTT) to produce recovered carbon black and low-carbon road and marine transport fuels from end-of-life tyres. The other facility will see Greenergy enter the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) market, creating SAF from waste oils.
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ISCC PLUS certification for Kal Tire recycling plant
Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group reports that its mining tyre recycling plant in Chile has gained International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certification, verifying it meets the circular materials standards for reclaimed oil, carbon black and syngas using a mass balance chain of custody approach. It thus becomes one of just a handful of mining tyre recycling facilities in the world to generate outputs that are 100 per cent ISCC PLUS compliant.
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