Toyo Tire expanding R&D capabilities at US plant site
Throughout the course of this year, Toyo Tire & Rubber’s manufacturing operation in North America will expand its research and development capabilities in order to expedite the development of both original equipment and replacement market tyres. The company has not disclosed the level of investment being made in the Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing facility, however it will result in a 50 per cent increase in the size of the research and development team.
Continue ReadingWAI appoints marketing and communications manager
WAI has appointed Christine Smith to the role of marketing and communications manager. Based in Florida, as part of WAI’s US division, Smith joins from a sales and technology background, having worked previously in marketing, operations & management roles with API, Gatekeeper Business Solutions, Universal Health Services (UHS), Fine Lions, & Direct Office Interiors.
Continue ReadingBridgestone taking on India’s two-wheel market with Neurun tyre brand
The two-wheeler segment dominates India’s vehicle market and is said to be growing at a CAGR of 8.5 per cent. With an estimated 150 million two-wheel vehicles on the country’s roads, demand for replacement tyres is high. Bridgestone Corporation is now competing for a piece of this market with a new brand of motorcycle and scooter tyres, Neurun. The rollout of the Neurun product portfolio began in August 2016 with the introduction of five sizes and nine SKUs, a range that caters to around 70 per cent of market demand in India.
Continue ReadingContinental to cut ties with Pakistan’s General Tyre and Rubber
Continental intends to divest its shareholding in General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Ltd. The company owns a 9.78 per cent share in Pakistan’s largest tyre maker through Continental Global Holding Netherlands B.V., and according a notification sent by General Tyre and Rubber to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, Continental Global Holding Netherlands intends to sell its entire shareholding “as soon as practically and economically feasible.”
Continue ReadingMichelin proceeding as planned with Mexico factory
Mexico still plays a role in Michelin’s future plans. Following Donald Trump’s comments on cross-border import duties and Ford’s decision to scrap plans for a new US$1.6 billion factory in the country, Michelin chief executive officer Jean-Dominique Senard has given his reassurance that the tyre maker hasn’t got cold feet.
Continue ReadingLooking forward to level playing field – Titan International testifies in duty hearing
Titan International’s final injury hearing before the US International Trade Commission (ITC) took place on 4 January, and today the company will file a post hearing brief. The off-road tyre specialist says it “remains optimistic” that the ITC will issue a final affirmative determination in these cases.
Continue ReadingBridgestone publishes XJ220 update video
In September Bridgestone announced it is producing bespoke tyres for the classic Jaguar XJ220. The latest news is that “Bridgestone and Don Law XJ220 are well on track”.
Continue ReadingArlanxeo bringing testing capabilities together into China centre
The Arlanxeo synthetic rubber joint venture opened a new facility in China last month. Called the Rubber Technology Centre, the premises within the Changzhou National Hi-Tech District contains five labs and brings together its testing, mixing and production capabilities under one roof. With the new facility, Arlanxeo aims to position itself as an end-to-end technology platform leading the industry.
Continue ReadingLinglong Tire now a Wolfsburg ‘Club of Champions’ sponsor
As of 1 January, Shandong Linglong Tire has been elevated to the status of Club of Champions partner with German football club VfL Wolfsburg. The tyre maker had served as a VfL-TopPartner since the start of 2015, and Wang Feng, founder and chief executive officer of Linglong Tire, signed the new, extended deal at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg on 14 December together with club managers Thomas Röttgermann and Dr Tim Schumacher. The company is one of three Club of Champions partners, holding this status alongside Nike and logistics specialist Grupo Sesé.
Continue ReadingBelshina tyre sales up 58% in Ukraine
Belarus-based tyre maker Belshina JSC reports that its sales in neighbouring Ukraine rose 57.9 per cent year-on-year in 2016. Between 1 January and 21 December the company sold some 1,017,000 tyres in Ukraine, a significant increase on the 644,000 pieces sold in 2015 and around nine times more than the 110,000 tyres sold in 2010; Belshina attributes this growth in part to the opening of new regional warehouses throughout the country.
Continue ReadingFurther investment in Bridgestone’s Wilson plant
Bridgestone has announced an additional investment in its Wilson tyre plant in the USA. The passenger car and light truck tyre making facility in North Carolina will receive a new, state-of-the-art rubber mixer under a newly-announced US$180 million investment that will also facilitate the introduction of more innovative manufacturing processes and technologies. This investment is in addition to the $164 million expansion announced in January 2016.
Continue ReadingDutch study calls crumb rubber football pitches safe
A Dutch government public health organization has said it is safe to play football and other sports on artificial turf fields covered in rubber crumb. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment published a report saying that the health risk from playing on such fields, which are common throughout the Netherlands and elsewhere as low maintenance alternatives to natural grass, is virtually negligible.
Continue ReadingTaiwan-based tyre manufacturers raising prices
The leading Taiwanese tyre manufactures are reportedly planning to raise prices by between 8-12 per cent during 2017. According to local news reports, the price hike is a reaction to the jump in synthetic rubber and natural rubber prices.
Continue ReadingYokohama to exhibit at Tokyo Auto Salon
Yokohama Rubber has confirmed its exhibition presence at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2017, which will be held at Makuhari Messe between 13 and 15 January. The Yokohama exhibit will feature booths dedicated to tyres and alloy wheels, with the spotlight particularly thrown upon the company’s Advan global flagship brand by the presence of two Advan-shod racing cars.
Continue ReadingTesloop and Goodyear planning digital tyre future
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has signed a technology agreement with California-based Tesloop Inc. to model tyre performance based on data generated by the city-to-city mobility service. Tesloop operates a fleet of semi-autonomous Tesla vehicles, providing a shared passenger transportation service for distances between 50 and 300 miles.
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