Maxxis European conference previews new UHP tyre
Maxxis is currently holding its European distributor conference in Marbella, Spain. Scheduled to take place between 11 and 14 September, the conference welcomes some of the continent’s leading names in tyre distribution, with over 14 EU countries represented, along with delegates from both China and Taiwan.
Continue ReadingFinally, a tyre for the Hello Kitty fan…
Kawaii!! Next summer, Japanese consumers will – should they wish – be able to buy Hello Kitty tyres for their cars. This too cute for words opportunity comes thanks to a collaboration between Sanrio and Nexen Tire Japan. The tyres will feature the Hello Kitty logo and name on the sidewall – in pink. A tyre featuring Cinnamoroll, a long-eared white flying puppy whose tail resembles a cinnamon roll, will also be available and will presumably by met by an eager market.
Continue ReadingMichelin takes global social media double
In something of a coup for the French manufacturer, Michelin has regained both the global and UK crowns in Tyres & Accessories’ annual report on social media influence. Meanwhile, India’s largest tyremaker, MRF Tyres, will have surprised many by rising six places into third place on the global table.
Continue ReadingGoodyear supporting Tesloop in intelligent tyre trial
Goodyear announced that it is equipping Tesloop, a city-to-city mobility service that exclusively uses Tesla electric vehicles, with wireless sensors in its tyres to improve overall tyre management and maximise uptime for its growing fleet.
Continue ReadingGoodyear appoints new EMEA president
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has named Chris Delaney as president of Goodyear’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) business unit. He has been president of the company’s Asia Pacific business since joining the company in 2015.
Continue ReadingVMI opens factory in Poland
On 5 September VMI opened a new factor in Leszno, Poland. The location was officially opened by Lukasz Borowiak, mayor of Leszno and Alexander van der Lof, chairman of the executive board of TKH Group.
Continue ReadingReports: Pirelli IPO set for October
Pirelli is set sell up to 40 per cent of its equity capital in an initial public offering (IPO) on the Milan stock exchange in October.
Continue ReadingReports: Doublestar/Kumho acquisition close to collapse
Doublestar’s proposed acquisition of Kumho is reportedly close to collapse after the Qingdao-Chinese tyre manufacturer asked for a double-digit discount. According to reports in the Nikkei, Kumhos major shareholders are planning to write to Doublestar asking the firm to agree to the end of bid talks between the two parties.
Continue ReadingChina starts anti-dumping probe into EU rubber imports
At the end of August China’s Ministry of Commerce began a year-long anti-dumping investigations into imported hydrogenated butyl rubber from the European Union, the United Sates and Singapore.
Continue ReadingSmithers runs Chinese tyre industry training
Rubber, plastics and composites testing specialist Smithers Rapra recently ran training at the Tire Technology Training Course, which was organized by The Rubber Institute of Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China along with the Beijing University of Chemical Technology.
Continue ReadingMRF launches Perfinza luxury tyre range
MRF has launched the Perfinza range of tyres. According to the company, the new tyres have been developed to focus on ride comfort. To this end they are aimed at luxury and premium segment cars and are currently available for over 60 models on sale in India. Autocar India reports that the range retails via “all MRF exclusive outlets across the country and will be released for export markets later”.
Continue ReadingHow do you get anything done in China?
“I just don’t get China!”, “As a foreigner, how do you get anything done in that country?”, “How can you trust the Chinese?” Having worked with China for nearly two decades now, I get many of these questions from friends and colleagues. They realise the need to do business with China and are having some trouble navigating the choppy waters. So here are some of my thoughts - in the hope I don’t offend any of my Chinese friends!
Continue ReadingChemChina signs Industry 4.0 MOU with Fraunhofer
On August 1, 2017 China National Chemical Equipment (CNCE; also known as ChemChian) and Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (Fraunhofer) under Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft signed a strategic cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Munich. According to the MOU, the two sides will cooperate with each other in the fields of new chemical materials, intelligent manufacturing, automation and information technology.
Continue Reading10 Black Donuts defendants convicted for violating Nokian’s business secrets
The Finnish District Court of Pirkanmaa has sentenced 10 former Nokian Tyres employees who transferred to the Black Donuts Engineering group of companies for “the violation and abuse of Nokian Tyres’ business secrets”. According to Nokian, the District Court convicted all the defendants. Eight defendants were sentenced to conditional imprisonment of 6–18 months and two received fines. The managing director and two other executives from Black Donuts Engineering Oy were sentenced to business prohibitions of 3–5 years in addition to imprisonment.
Continue ReadingGoodyear opens office in Silicon Valley
Goodyear has opened its first office in the Silicon Valley in a bid to develop relations with automakers, suppliers and mobility-related startups working on the next generations of vehicles and service models.
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