Continental debuts responsibly sourced tyres – 100% of range by 2030
Mountain bike tyres from the Continental Gravity range have become the first products to feature responsibly sourced natural rubber from a project aimed at establishing sustainable natural rubber supply chains. Continental aims to achieve 100 per cent sustainable supply chains by 2050 at the latest, but is going one step further when it comes to natural rubber and intends to cover its entire demand exclusively through responsible sources by as soon as 2030.
Continue ReadingGlobal aftermarket set to grow 13% in 2022, UK and EU also up
Halfords Autocentres’ recent expansion into the top-table of tyre retail is indicative of a wider move towards mechanical work in tyre-orientated garages. Now, many fast fits generate somewhere around 50 per cent of their income from non-tyre business. According to the latest SMMT data, the UK aftermarket turns over an annual £21.1 billion – making it the ninth largest in the world. And what’s more there are said to be north of 40,000 points of sale in the UK, which means the wider tyre business’s recent shift towards more mechanical work means that aftermarket space is as competitive as ever. Still, the ongoing outlook is good and the aforementioned growth figures are increasing at the same rate as the UK’s growing car parc. As a result, SMMT projections suggest the UK aftermarket sector’s value is set to rise to £28 billion by 2022.
Continue ReadingISCC Plus certification for Firestone Polymer facility
The Firestone Polymer Engineering Pilot Center (PEPC) in Akron, Ohio has become the first Bridgestone facility in North America to gain International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus recognition for sustainable raw material transparency and traceability. PEPC is part of the Bridgestone Americas Technology Center, which serves as a hub for Bridgestone’s entire innovation, research and product development within the Americas region.
Continue ReadingJiangsu General raises funds for Cambodia factory
On 12 August, Jiangsu General stated that it would issue shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in a non-public funding initiative. The stock issuance plan shows that Jiangsu General is prepared to issue shares to no more than 35 specific investors. The number of shares to be issued shall not exceed 386,578,320 units, which is 30 per cent of Jiangsu General’s total share capital before the issuance of shares. The total amount of funds raised does not exceed 1.018 billion yuan (£124.42 million, 147.15 million euros). It is reported that HOdo Group, the controlling shareholder of Jiangsu General, plans to subscribe for shares in cash, with a subscription amount of not less than 30 million yuan (£3.67 million, 4.34 million euros) and not more than 200 million yuan (£24.45 million, 28.91 million euros).
Continue ReadingCheng Shin Chongqing plant suspended production for a week
On the afternoon of 16 August Cheng Shin announced that production at its Chongqing factory would be suspended between 16 and 23 August to cooperate with the local government’s power policy. It is reported that Changshou District, Chongqing City, where the Cheng Shin factory is located, has experienced continuous high temperatures recently, and the power supply gap has continued to expand. The local government advocates for industrial enterprises to stop production to ensure electricity consumption for residents and ease the pressure on the power supply.
Continue ReadingContinental Tires (China) appoints general manager
Veronique Giraud recently succeeded Dalibor Kalina as general manager of Continental Tires (China). Effective August 2022, Giraud will lead the tyre manufacturer’s business development and strategic direction in the Chinese market.
Continue ReadingFalken Azenis OE on sporty Yaris Cross
The Yaris Cross GR Sport, a tweaked version of Toyota’s small crossover, launched in Japan this month and rides on Falken Azenis FK510 SUV tyres as standard. Sumitomo Rubber Industries is supplying the tyre as original equipment in size 215/50R18 92V.
Continue ReadingKey Sailun shareholder undergoes reorganisation
Macrolink Group, a significant shareholder of Sailun, recently received a civil ruling from the court in Beijing. The document shows that the court has accepted the reorganisation application filed by Hunan Fortune Group against Macrolink Group. It is reported that the cause of this incident was that Macrolink Group failed to pay off its due debts, and Hunan Fortune Group was the creditor.
Continue ReadingWanli planning to build Vietnam tyre factory
Wanli Tire reports that company representatives have visited overseas factory sites and completed a draft report based on the inspections. Wanli deputy general manager Hu Yongfang announced at the summary meeting for the first half of 2022 that Wanli will strive to complete the establishment of an overseas factory project by the end of 2022.
Continue ReadingSumitomo Rubber exits Chinese truck and bus tyre market
On 17 August, Sumitomo Rubber (China) announced that the company is ending the sale and production of truck tyres in China. From 2023, the company will no longer produce and sell truck and bus tyres for the Chinese market. From April 2024, Sumitomo Rubber (China) will no longer manufacture truck and bus tyres for overseas markets.
Continue ReadingLabour shortage: Personal skills & abilities more important than grades, says Conti
Companies across Western and Central Europe are struggling to find sufficient skilled labour. Continental is addressing this problem by stressing the importance of in-company, vocational training and of ensuring that this is financially attractive for young people.
Continue ReadingNo 2023 motor show in Geneva
Anyone planning to visit next year’s Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) should hold off making reservations at their favourite fondue restaurant and can forget slipping away for a spot of skiing, as in 2023 it will exclusively take place in Doha, Qatar. The Comité permanent du Salon international de lautomobile de Genève foundation has announced the cancellation of the event planned for Geneva in February 2023.
Continue ReadingATD appoints chief supply chain officer
US and Canadian wholesaler American Tire Distributors, Inc. (ATD) has expanded its leadership team with the addition of Moid Alwy as chief supply chain officer. In this role, Alwy will oversee a supply chain that ATD describes as “sprawling” and evolve the vision and strategy for the supply chain’s function and innovation.
Continue ReadingLD Carbon gains investment in ELT pyrolysis project
South Korean waste treatment and raw material recycling company LC Carbon announced on Tuesday that it had gained US$15 million of Series A investment, which it will use to build a pyrolysis, crushing, and recovered carbon black (rCB) facility within the country.
Continue ReadingReduced lead times: YOHT’s newest plant
As reported on Tuesday, Yokohama Off-Highway Tires (YOHT) has opened its third factory in India. Yokohama Rubber has shared some additional details about the new plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, which alongside existing facilities in Dahej, Gujarat and Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu will produce YOHT’s core Alliance, Galaxy and Primex off-highway tyre brands.
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