RMI lobbying for competitive vehicle repair and maintenance
RMI Bodyshops (NAB & VBRA) has written to a select group of MEP´s requesting support in improving the legal framework for competitive repair and maintenance of automotive vehicles. Jason Moseley, director of RMI Bodyshops commented: “We believe that the legal framework for competitive Repair and Maintenance Information needs improving. We have written to MEPs and also asked our members to get involved and write to their committee MEPs, so there is a very strong and aligned message sent from the body repair sector.”
Continue ReadingContinental chooses site in Thailand for new APAC region tyre factory
Thailand has been selected as the location for the new passenger car and light truck tyre factory that Continental AG has planned for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Groundbreaking at the 750,000 square metre site in Rayong Province later this year will mark the start of work on phase one of a project that will require an investment of approximately €250 million by 2022 and give the factory a planned production of around 4 million tyres per annum within the same timeframe. Operations are expected to begin in 2019.
Continue ReadingZC Rubber opens first overseas Autospace store
Autospace, ZC Rubber’s retail chain, opened its first branch in Thailand on 18 January 2017. The new branch is also the firm’s first overseas flagship store.
Continue ReadingWheel makers Momo and Weld now sister companies
Cisneros Corporation, parent company of Italy-based wheel manufacturer Momo, has acquired US firm Weld Racing from investment group Granite Creek Capital Partners, L.L.C. for an undisclosed sum. Announcing the deal, Weld Racing states that together with the Momo Automotive Group, it will create a “global design, performance, and manufacturing powerhouse with a passion for motorsports and a drive for transformational innovation.”
Continue ReadingBridgestone tweaking kerb, tyre design for barrier-free bus travel
For over a year, Bridgestone Corporation has worked with partners to develop solutions that both facilitate barrier-free public transportation and protect tyres from sidewall abrasions. The company has reported on its progress towards achieving these goals and shared details of technologies that bring buses closer to the kerbside and also reduce tyre damage and discomfort to passengers should close turn out to be too close.
Continue ReadingSailun raising prices in North America
Sailun is increasing prices of its commercial truck, passenger and light truck tyres by between 5 and 8 per cent in North America. The increase went into effect 1 January 2017.
Continue ReadingPirelli in 100 Pictures’ exhibition opens
If a picture truly is worth a thousand words, then Pirelli has saved itself pages of prose by supplying the content for an exhibition currently being held in Italy. On 18 January, Archimede Library in Settimo Torinese opened the doors to the ‘Pirelli in 100 Pictures: Beauty, Innovation, Manufacturing’ exhibition, a visual glimpse into the company’s 140 years of history. The exhibition runs until 1 May.
Continue ReadingFebruary start for Federal’s newest tyre plant
In addition to reporting a pause in production at its Chungli plant due to a fire at the site, Federal Corporation also says it is readying its new factory in Taoyuan City’s Guanyin Industrial Park for its operational debut in February 2017. The Guanyin plant is Federals second on the island of Taiwan and the companys third - Federal also operates a plant in Nanchang (Jingxi Province, China), which it acquired from Hero Tire in 1997.
Continue ReadingBlackcircles looking to enter Asia Pacific markets
Mike Welch’s global aspirations for Blackcircles.com pre-date the Scottish company’s acquisition by Michelin, however the tyre maker has provided a platform for expansion, and over the coming year Blackcircles will work towards establishing a presence on the other side of the world. Speaking with The Scotsman, the founder and chief executive officer shared that consumers in Asia Pacific will soon get to know the Blackcircles way of buying tyres.
Continue ReadingPrison sentence for Apollo/Cooper insider trading
A court in the US has sentenced a man to 20 months’ prison for insider trading related to Apollo Tyres’ attempted acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber in 2013. The US District Court in Boston gave Amit Kanodia the custodial sentence and, after finding him guilty of conspiracy and securities fraud last year, ordered him to pay a fine of US$200,000 and forfeit a further $252,500.
Continue ReadingFire stops production at Federal’s Chungli tyre plant
Federal Corporation reports that production at its main factory in Chungli, Taiwan has been halted due to a fire at the site on 17 January. Warehouse facilities were damaged during the blaze, however the Chungli plant’s manufacturing facilities were unaffected and Federal confirms there were no casualties.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg gains Deutz-Fahr supplier award in China
Trelleborg is a Deutz-Fahr China ‘2016 Excellent Supplier’. It gained this accolade on 13 January at a meeting of suppliers organised by Deutz-Fahr Machinery Company Ltd in Linyi, China. The award was received on behalf of the tyre maker by Sandy Luo, senior sales and marketing manager at Trelleborg Agricultural and Forestry Tire in China.
Continue ReadingMichelin enters into automation technology supply agreement with Siemens
The signing of a four-year global contract has confirmed Siemens’ status as a supplier of industrial automation technology and engineering software to Michelin. Announcing the deal, Siemens reports that the French tyre maker intends to optimise its industrial structures and fully utilise the capacity of its industrial facilities.
Continue ReadingBridgestone South Africa comments on ‘unlawful’ power disconnection
Bridgestone South Africa has voiced its support for the legal action undertaken by the Brits Industrialists Association (BIA) against the Local Municipality of Madibeng. The BIA has launched a claim for damages against the municipality on behalf of its members after their electricity supply was unlawfully disconnected. Bridgestone states that its Brits tyre plant was one of the factories affected.
Continue ReadingUS puts duties on Indian and Sri Lankan OTR tyres
On 4 January 2017The US Department of Commerce (DOC) made final determinations in the countervailing duty investigations of imported off-the-road (OTR) tyres from India and Sri Lanka. In the India countervailing duty investigation, the DOC calculated a final subsidy rate of 5.36 per cent for mandatory respondent Balkrishna Industries and a final subsidy rate of 4.9 per cent for mandatory respondent ATC Tires. The government agency established a subsidy rate of 5.06 per cent for all other producers/exporters in India. In the Sri Lanka countervailing duty investigation, the DOC calculated a final subsidy rate of 2.18 per cent for mandatory respondent Camso Loadstar and for all other producers/exporters in Sri Lanka.
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