USTMA applauds support package
Members of US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) have applauded the U.S. Senate’s “unprecedented work to pass the largest economic relief package in U.S. history”. Now, the group respectfully urges the U.S. House of Representatives and President Trump to “expeditiously ensure this becomes law to provide a much-needed financial boost to American workers, American businesses” and the nation’s struggling economy.
Continue ReadingTest World open for indoor testing
Test World reports that it is remaining open to “operate and fulfill a busy schedule of indoor tyre and vehicle testing during the global COVID-19 pandemic”. Writing in an email to customers and contacts published 31 March 2020, company representatives said: “Operating within official health guidance to the strictest degree and treating the health and wellbeing of its staff as the utmost priority, Test World strives to minimise disruption to the industry in these unprecedented times.”
Continue ReadingTBR tyre production begins at Prinx Chengshan’s Thailand plant
Prinx Chengshan reports that its new tyre factory in Thailand produced its first commercial vehicle all-steel radial on 25 March. The first phase production project at the Prinx Chengshan Tire (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is now expected to be concluded in the second quarter of this year, giving the facility an annual capacity to produce 800,000 TBR tyres. The plant is also capable of manufacturing 4 million passenger car and light truck tyres a year.
Continue ReadingRosava suspends production until 24 April
Ukranian tyre maker Rosava has temporarily stopped production at both its production sites as part of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. It intends to halt production until 24 April. The company says shipments of products will continue from its warehouses as orders are received.
Continue ReadingTires & Rubber show postponed – but only for 2 months
The Tires & Rubber 2020 exhibition in Moscow has been rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organiser Expocentre reports that the decision not to go ahead with the show between 24 and 27 April was taken after restrictions were announced by federal and city authorities.
Continue ReadingBrembo donates 1 million euros to Covid-19 research
Brake manufacturer Brembo has decided to donate 1 million euros to three centres of excellence in Bergamo, namely the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, the Fondazione per la Ricerca Ospedale di Bergamo (FROM) foundation and the Mario Negri Institute, which are working in the region hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, combining clinical and pharmacological research.
Continue ReadingFintyre insolvency: Investors look at companies
According to Sebastian Brunner, spokesman for the provisional insolvency administrator handling the Fintyre Group case, a number of parties have already expressed interest in acquiring individual companies belonging to Fintyre’s insolvent German operations. These potential investors have already inspected the companies in question or will do so in the near future. “We hope to already have binding offers on the table in April and then be able to enter into negotiations, said Brunner.
Continue ReadingAnalysts upgrade Conti despite OEM shutdowns
Financial analysts have upgraded Continental AG shares to buy on the basis that car manufacturer shutdowns will only be a limited measure. Writing in an investors note dated 25 March, Jefferies analysts explained their rationale:
Continue ReadingMarangoni preparing plant in Germany to take over all European production
Italy’s Prime Minister announced last week that non-essential production within the country must stop in order to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Marangoni Retreading Systems has asked the government to clarify whether the transportation sector counts as an essential service under the new rules, but at the same time has taken steps to ensure its ability to continue meeting demand should production at its Ferentino cease.
Continue ReadingFerrari to re-start car manufacturing on 14 April 2020
In a welcome bit of news for the original equipment business, on 27 March Ferrari N.V. announced that it plans to resume production on 14 April 2020.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg reorganisation brings greater prominence to tyres
At the end of February, Trelleborg invited key dealers to the company’s Swedish homeland in order to further develop connections with its UK distributors and share the details of recent developments at the well-known agricultural and off-road tyre and wheel manufacturer. Tyres & Accessories spoke with Trelleborg’s Agricultural Segment Leader – EMEA, Bruce Lauder in order to find out more.
Continue ReadingSumitomo Rubber Industries temporarily shuts South Africa tyre plant
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, the manufacturer of the global Falken tyre brand has temporarily shut down its factory in South Africa on government orders. All of its other tyre manufacturing facilities are currently operational, though staff at the Falken Tyre Europe headquarters in Germany are working remotely where possible, or following social distancing guidelines.
Continue ReadingZC Rubber expanding work with rubber recycling
Earlier this month, Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd. (ZC Rubber) and Nanjing Lvjinren Rubber & Plastic High-tech Co., Ltd. (Nanjing Lvjinren Rubber) agreed to expand their capacity to produce recycled rubber from end of life tyres. The two companies are working on a project to boost capacity for recycled rubber at their pilot plant by 20,000 tonnes a year. ZC Rubber says this will be “fully operational” by September 2020 and will be the “leading” Industry 4.0 recycled rubber intelligent plant and pilot recycling project within China’s tyre industry.
Continue ReadingLinglong Tire helping Serbia’s battle against coronavirus
Next week it’ll be a year since Shandong Linglong Tyre Co., Ltd. officially launched its project to build a new tyre factory in Serbia. Today the tyre maker is working with its new host country in a way unimaginable 12 months ago. It donated 300,000 disposable surgical masks, 2,000 sets of medical protective clothing, and 10,000 COVID-19 antibody test kits to the Serbian government yesterday via the country’s embassy in China.
Continue ReadingThe Tire Cologne on why it moved to 2021
In light of the news that Koelnmesse took the decision to delay The Tire Cologne until 2021, Tyres & Accessories interviewed communications manager, Voelker de Cloedt in order to find out more about the thinking behind the move as well as the particular dates the company has chosen. The conversation began with a question about the nature of physical exhibitions in light of analysts reports suggesting we could be witnessing to transition of the sector to virtual shows.
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