Automakers have ‘no alternative but to shutter plants’
Following the news that Volkswagen Group is planning to temporarily suspend production at its European plants due to the deepening impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, David Leggett, Automotive Editor at GlobalData, commented:
Continue ReadingMarangoni North America ‘remains operational’
Marangoni Tread North America (MTNA) has communicated that it “remains operational” despite the Covid-19 pandemic. According to MTNA, the company is “committed to providing superior products and services to our customers. We are taking active steps to prevent any interruption in our business processes.”
Continue ReadingTyre reuse & processing rate rising in Australia
According to a report published by Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA), 69 per cent of the 466,000 tonnes of end of life tyres generated within the country in 2018-19 were recovered for reuse or processing into tyre derived products or in thermal processing. This amount is the equivalent of 40.3 million car tyres. The 40.3 million […]
Continue ReadingPirelli ‘willing to help’ with UK ventilator production
In light of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked UK manufacturing firms to assess whether they can shift production to ventilators for the NHS on Monday 16 March 2020. A day earlier Health Minister Matt Hancock wrote: “We now need any manufacturers to transform their production lines to make ventilators. We cannot make too many”, in a Telegraph article.
Continue ReadingTribunal approves Ceat Specialty Tyres merger
Ceat Limited reports that the Mumbai Bench of India’s National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved the Scheme of Amalgamation for the merger of the wholly-owned subsidiary Ceat Specialty Tyres Limited with Ceat Limited. The NCLT granted approval on 13 March.
Continue ReadingThe Tire Cologne: Cooper, Toyo no longer exhibiting
Representatives of Cooper Tires and Toyo Tires have respectively confirmed they’ll not exhibit at this year’s The Tire Cologne, as previously planned. Their decisions come as governments across Europe announce rigorous measures to delay the spread of coronavirus and reduce its impact wherever possible. Michelin announced its withdrawal as exhibitor last week.
Continue ReadingFiat Chrysler suspends vehicle production in Europe
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. is temporarily suspending production across the majority of its European manufacturing plants. The temporary suspension, which runs to 27 March 2020, continues the implementation of a comprehensive set of actions comes in response to “the COVID-19 emergency and enables the Group to effectively respond to the interruption in market demand”.
Continue ReadingPeugeot PSA pausing European plants
The PSA group’s Executive Board and crisis unit have stopped vehicle production at its European factories until 27 March 2020. The temporary closure move takes effect between 16 and 19 March, according to the following schedule:
Continue ReadingPirelli USA raises tyre prices 5%
Pirelli Tire North America has announced that it will increase prices in the US for car and light truck tyres. The price increase is set to take effect from 6 April 2020.
Continue ReadingGoodyear donating 2 million yuan to Covid-19 fight
Goodyear is donating 2 million yuan (approximately $285,000) to support the fight against the COVID-19 in China where the company has a factory in Dalian. Working with the Dalian Chapter of the China Youth Development Fund (CYDF), the donation will be used to support frontline doctors and nurses stationed in Hubei province and Dalian city hospitals.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg: production unaffected
Trelleborg Wheel Systems reports that it has moved to general remote working in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Writing in a letter to customers sent by email, the company affirmed that employees will still be available by phone and email and that “availability of agricultural tyres is still assured”.
Continue ReadingPhase 2 trial production starts at BKT’s carbon black plant
Balkrishna Industries Limited (BKT) reports that it commenced trial production for the second phase of its carbon black facility in Bhuj, India on 12 March. Trial production at the currently 80,000 tonne per annum facility began ahead of schedule, the tyre maker adds.
Continue ReadingSustainable rubber procurement: Yokohama Rubber signs MoU in Thailand
Yokohama Rubber has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT). The aim of this cooperative partnership with the state enterprise is to provide economic support for Thai natural rubber farmers and to improve traceability, with the aim of ensuring transparency and soundness within the supply chain.
Continue ReadingGoodyear: Covid-19 not anticipated to impact customer service
As countries around Europe tighten restrictions on movement in a bid to contain and delay the coronavirus COVID-10 pandemic, Goodyear representatives report that the company is monitoring circumstances with partner wellbeing in mind. Writing in a statement released, a Goodyear spokesperson said the tyre manufacturer does not anticipate an impact on customer service:
Continue ReadingTIA Postpones Lobby Day and Environmental Summit
In the USA, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) has postponed its Lobby Day and Environmental Summit, scheduled for 6-7 May in Washington D.C., as a precautionary measure due to the spreading coronavirus.
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