Fontijne Grotnes production rebrands as Fontijne Holland
The formerly Fontijne Grotnes-owned wheel production lines have started producing under the Fontijne Holland name. When the Vlaardingen-based firm Fontijne Grotnes declared bankruptcy late last year, it became apparent that certain parts of the company were generating widespread interest. Since the business unit for wheel production lines had always been successful and profitable, the fresh start for that business unit has now been confirmed.
Continue ReadingAussie recycler turns aircraft tyres into bio fuel
One Australian recycler’s technology is turning old aircraft tyres into bio jet fuel - Green Distillation Technologies (GDT), an Australian company was awarded a bronze medal two years ago in the Edison Awards, rated as the world’s top prize for innovation. The GDT technology is called destructive distillation and can recycle old aircraft tyres into oil, carbon and the steel wire cord, although usually their process is applied to recycling old car tyres into oil, carbon and steel with a typical 10 kg car tyre yielding 4 litres of oil, 4kg of carbon, 2kg of steel, a 70kg truck tyre providing 27 litres of oil, 28 kg of carbon, 15 kg of steel and 4 tonne oversize mining dump truck tyre yielding 1.6 tonnes of carbon, 0.8 tonne of steel and 1500 litres of oil.
Continue ReadingMaxxis-sponsored rider win FIM EnduroGP World Championship
Beta Boano and Maxxis-sponsored rider Brad Freeman has added another title to his name after crossing the finish line in first place on Maxxis MaxxEnduro tyres and winning the Enduro GP Junior Class title at this year’s Maxxis FIM EnduroGP World Championship. For the enduro world championship, Freeman used MaxxEnduro tyres, designed to perfectly fit enduro conditions. The tyre features side blocks, which provide accurate steering and handle aggressive cornering in the muddiest of conditions.
Continue ReadingProduction restart planned for ex-Dunlop Zimbabwe plant
The former Dunlop Zimbabwe operation is said to be preparing to resume production early next year. Harare-based newspaper Business Chronicle writes that Auto Tyres Zimbabwe, as the company is now known, has acquired “modern tyre-making equipment that will enhance competitive production,” and as a result will be in a position to end the year-long production hiatus brought about by “working capital and foreign currency constraints.”
Continue ReadingGuizhou/Advance Tyre release further Vietnam factory plans
At the end of April Tyres & Accessories reported that Guizhou Tyre Co. Ltd. announced plans to build a truck tyre factory in Vietnam. Back then, reports suggest the company would invest RMB 1.67 billion (£189.3 million) in the project for a plant capable of manufacturing 1.2 million all-steel radials per annum. The intention was to set up the factory in the Long Jiang Industrial Park, some 30 miles from Ho Chi Minh City where a 20-hectare site had been selected. During the recent Tire+ exhibition in Shanghai, Tyres & Accessories sat down with Guizhou’s general manager of the export division, Jie You, and found out more about the company and its plans.
Continue ReadingMichelin invests in SmartDrive Systems
Video safety and transportation intelligence firm SmartDrive Systems shares that Michelin North America has led a preferred-stock round of investment in the company. Michelins investment in SmartDrive continues the expansion of its strategy for fleet telematics and mobility services. SmartDrive says it will leverage the investment to “fuel its continued growth in video analytics and transportation intelligence, with a particular emphasis in the areas of R&D, sales and marketing, and expansion in North America and international markets.”
Continue ReadingLinglong sponsors Chinese volleyball team
On the night of 26 September 2017, the Chinese Volleyball League’s award ceremony of this season and the grand launching ceremony of the new season was held in Beijing. Lang Ping, the Chinese women volleyball teams head coach, and “many famous volleyball stars” made an appearance at the ceremony.
Continue ReadingPoint S opens 500th outlet in France
Independent tyre dealer group Point S has opened its 500th point-of-sale in France, and Point S France is planning for further growth by the end of the year. The aim by the end of 2017 is to have 520 locations within the country.
Continue ReadingeBay tyre fitting service arrives in the USA
Tyre fitting has been added to the range of services offered by eBay Motors in the USA. As of this week, shoppers in the US who purchase tyres on eBay can opt to have them shipped to a local installation location at no additional cost. Installation can currently be performed at 9,000 sites across the country, and eBay says tyre inventory spans across all major brands.
Continue ReadingLinglong named among Asia’s 500 Most Influential Brands 2017
Recently, the world lab released the Asia’s Most Influential Brands of 2017. Five hundred brands from 20 countries and regions are among the list, including Linglong.
Continue ReadingBain Capital building ‘European tyre distribution group’
This year specialist private equity firm Bain Capital has been busy making strategic acquisitions in the European tyre wholesale and retail sectors. First off the company bought Italian tyre wholesaler Fintyre from previous owners Bluegem Capital back in March. Then at the end of June the firm added the German Reiff operation to its portfolio, an acquisition that was subsequently approved by the EC in August. Tyres & Accessories recently interviewed Ivano Sessa, one of Bain Capital Private Equity’s managing directors, and learnt that there are plans for further mergers and acquisitions with a view to creating a “larger tyre distribution group across Europe”.
Continue ReadingRonal Group launches new website
Ronal Group has launched a new website in eight languages at www.ronalgroup.com. Following its major relaunch, it now comes in a modern design and satisfies increased user needs and expectations in terms of its usability.
Continue ReadingMarangoni appoints Martin Kalagin as Central Technical Service director
Marangoni Retreading Systems has appointed Martin Kalagin as Central Technical Service director, reporting in this role to the chief executive officer of the group. The Central Technical Service will define and implement the rules and the global guidelines, align the local plans and resources and coordinate the activities of all Technical Service Teams of Marangoni Retreading Systems Business Unit in Europe and overseas.
Continue ReadingOfficial opening for Hankook’s US tyre plant
A grand opening ceremony has been held for Hankook Tire’s newest plant. The facility, located in Clarksville, Tennessee, is the tyre maker’s first manufacturing site in the United States and the eighth Hankook Tire factory worldwide. The opening ceremony was attended by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, United States Representative Marsha Blackburn, Korean Consul General Seong-jin Kim, along with many other prominent state and local officials.
Continue ReadingBridgestone closes Firestone Fibers, Canada plant
On 4 October Bridgestone Canada Inc. (Bridgestone) announced the closure of its Firestone Fibers and Textiles facility based in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. The closure affects 35 salaried employees and 135 hourly employees, and will be conducted in phases beginning 31 December 2017, with operations completely ceasing in the second half of 2018.
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