“Ladies first” for Vredestein at Mille Miglia 2019
Vredestein is the official tyre partner and main sponsor of the world-renowned Mille Miglia rally for the third year running. The tyre brand has five teams participating in this year’s Mille Miglia, two of which are exclusively female. Female participation in the historic 1000 Miglia (1927-1957) was only recorded in 16 out of 24 events but, apart from one crew in 1957, a male pilot or co-pilot was always included.
Continue ReadingHexpol growth driven by compounding and exports
Almost 10 years after Hexpol embarked on a prolonged growth-by-acquisition strategy, here Tyres & Accessories examines the company’s overall progress as well as the particular example of UK-based Hexpol Group member, retreading compound supply specialist Berwin Polymers.
Continue Reading2 Hexpol management changes during first quarter
During the first quarter of 2019, Hexpol announced a couple of senior management changes. Most recently, at the end of February, Karin Gunnarsson decided to leave her position as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Investor Relations Manager at the Hexpol Group in pursuit of “new challenges”:
Continue ReadingKwik Fit Italy hits 51 branches
Kwik Fit has grown into the fourth largest branded tyre retail network in Italy just three years after the chain got underway in Italy. 51 centres now operate under the Kwik Fit brand across the country, with the network most recently adding a well-established operator in San Marino.
Continue ReadingTriangle showing new ranges at Autopromotec 2019
Triangle is exhibiting products including a new winter UHP pattern, two tyres from the European truck range and one OTR product. Specifically, Triangle is giving its Snowlink PL02 UHP asymmetric winter pattern its European debut. According to the company, this tyre offers excellent handling performance and grip on wet and snowy roads. And what’s more, it is expected to help boost sales during the next winter period.
Continue ReadingWheelworld under new ownership
Wheelworld GmbH has a new owner. As of 15 May, Thomas Mögelin is the alloy rim specialist’s new managing director, having acquired the firm from founders Rolf and Sabine Bene.
Continue ReadingIntroducing tyre royalty…
Here in the UK and in Europe, Uniroyal belongs to the Continental tyre portfolio, but in North America it is a Michelin brand. And across the pond, Uniroyal Tires has gained a new brand mascot – Royal.
Continue ReadingUSA: Tyre makers’ association voices support for ‘Tire Caucus’
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) says it “applauds” the recent formation of the bipartisan Congressional Tire Caucus, co-chaired by Joe Wilson and Jim Cooper, members of the House of Representatives from South Carolina and Tennessee, two states with significant tyre manufacturing footprints.
Continue ReadingSTARCO’s UK wheel solution hits Las Vegas
By taking advantage of synergies arising from its acquisition by Kenda in 2017, STARCO has introduced its UK-made Flex lite wheel solution to the US market. Kenda USA subsidiary Martin Wheel presented this European market top-seller at a trade show in Las Vegas last week. STARCO shares that interest in the 10- to 15-inch solutions amongst end-users was strong, and it looks forward to receiving feedback about Flex lite from US-based manufacturers and distributors.
Continue ReadingSRI collaborating on IoT TPMS solution
Mobility as a service concepts are expected to entice many motorists from car ownership to vehicle sharing, and Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) is preparing for this future with a new partnership with Japanese automotive Internet of things (IoT) service company TripodWorks and Taiwan-based TPMS manufacturer Sysgration.
Continue ReadingTomTom shareholders set for 750 million-euro windfall
TomTom is set to return roughly 750 million euros to its shareholders after the sale of TomTom Telematics to Bridgestone for 910 million euros closed in April 2019. According to the company, TomTom will return the money on 27 May, through a consolidation of shares. Telecom Paper reported that for every 16 shares, nine will remain, resulting in the repayment of 5.74 euros per remaining share. This is said to be equivalent to 3.22 euros per share, based on the number of outstanding shares before consolidation.
Continue ReadingMichelin buys Masternaut
Michelin has agreed to buy the entire share capital of Masternaut, one of the largest European telematics providers, for an undisclosed amount. While not price details have been released, according to the company, the transaction has been made on the basis of eight-times 2018 EBITDA before synergies. Masternaut will continue to operate under its own brand as a fully-owned subsidiary within Michelin, and the transaction is expected to close within the next sixty days.
Continue ReadingHyundai, Kia invest 80M euros in Rimac, establish technology partnership
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation have jointly invested 80M Euros in Rimac Automobili (Rimac) - the Croatian high-performance electric vehicle technology and sportscar company. The companies have announced a strategic partnership to collaborate on the development of two high-performance electric vehicles by 2020.
Continue ReadingPirelli plant to close as part of Brazil investment
Pirelli is investing in production modernisation in Brazil, and as was recently the case at Goodyear in Germany, there are winners and losers. The latter includes the workforce at the company’s motorcycle tyre plant in Gravataí, Rio Grande do Sul, which is expected to close sometime in the next couple of years.
Continue ReadingAutopromotec adds Hybrid and ADAS village
The 2019 edition of Autopromotec now includes a “Hybrid & ADAS Village”. This space will be exclusively devoted to showcasing latest generation ADAS safety systems for hybrid cars and will be organised in collaboration with Quattroruote Professional.
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