Expansion of Goodyear tyre plant in China begins
When Goodyear Tire & Rubber announced plans last month to close its Philippsburg tyre plant in Germany, the company gave increasing demand for larger rim diameter tyre sizes – and a lack of infrastructure for producing these in Philippsburg – as a justification for the decision. Rather than invest in new equipment for the factory, Goodyear has decided to increase capacity for larger tyre sizes elsewhere in the world. Today, the tyre maker announced it has broken ground on a US$485 million expansion of its facility in China’s Pulandian district. Goodyear chairman, chief executive officer and president Richard J. Kramer took part in a ceremony with Lu Lin, deputy mayor of the city of Dalian.
Continue ReadingDRT buys Pinova for US$150 million
DRT has agreed to buy Pinova Inc., the specialty resins and chemical intermediates manufacturer. DRT will acquire Pinova Inc. and its diversified portfolio of industry applications as well as its Brunswick manufacturing site from Symrise for US$150 million. Pinova Inc.’s 2016 sales are expected to total about $111 million. As part of the transaction, Symrise and DRT have also agreed on a co-operation for individual product development projects as well as for the supply of strategic raw materials.
Continue ReadingGoodyear sponsors Pro Football Hall of Fame: video
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced its sponsorship of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The company has a long association with American Football, including the Goodyear Blimp’s aerial television coverage, which has run for more than 60 years. The Hall of Fame is located, like Goodyear’s headquarters, in Ohio, where the National Football League was founded. Hundreds of thousands of fans around the world visit the campus in Canton, where a $500 million Hall of Fame village is currently under development.
Continue ReadingDOT issues cybersecurity guidance
The US Department of Transportations (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued guidance to improve vehicle cybersecurity. The guidance offers best practices to help protect against breaches and other security failures that put motor vehicle safety at risk, according to US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
Continue ReadingMarubeni buys stake in Mexican tyre retailer
On 24 October Japanese conglomerate Marubeni announced it had purchased a large minority shareholding in Mexican tyre dealer Radial Llantas. According to the company, Marubeni has bought 49 per cent of the shares in Radial Llantas. The pricetag for the stockholding is said to be “several billion yen”, according to Wards Auto.
Continue ReadingNissan commits to Sunderland plant despite Brexit
Nissan Motor Company Ltd. has committed to producing the next Qashqai crossover vehicle in Sunderland. Executives had warned that this may not happen following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. However, not only has the company received satisfactory assurances to continue with production of the Qashqai for the next few years (the next Qashqai model is expected to be made in 2018 or 2019). Nissan also confirmed that it will add production of the next X-Trail model at its Sunderland as well in something of a surprise move.
Continue ReadingGoodyear EfficientGrip Cargo claims 10,000km more mileage
Goodyear has released a new light truck tyre that the company says can offer 10,000km more mileage than before. The successor to the Goodyear Cargo Marathon light truck tyre, Goodyear EfficientGrip Cargo reportedly enhances fleet mileage by up to 10,000km, improves fuel efficiency and offers enhanced grip, especially in wet conditions. 28 sizes will be available by May 2017, covering then 82 per cent of the market.
Continue ReadingGalgo opens new European headquarters
Galgo has opened new European headquarters (including warehousing and offices) in order to expand the company’s retreading coverage and sales presence. This expansion takes the company from Tongeren to the Ghent-Antwerp-Brussels triangle in Belgium, close to inland Beverdonk and the Meerhout container terminal.
Continue ReadingVMI wins case against Safe-Run
Netherlands-based leading tyre manufacturing machinery maker VMI reports that it has won its first patent invalidation case against Chinese firm Safe-Run. As part of ongoing legal action commenced by VMI against Safe-Run, VMI filed for invalidation of a number of Safe-Run patents. Recently, the Chinese Patent Review Board has ruled in this case and invalidated the first Safe-Run patent in its entirety as the patent “was based on prior art”.
Continue ReadingBrembo inaugurates Mexico brake plant and iron foundry
Brembo announced that it inaugurated its new brake plant in Escobedo, Mexico on 20 October. Completed in record time, with an investment of $36 million, the new plant will focus on the production of aluminium calipers and is intended to strengthen Brembo’s presence in North America. At the same time the company announced a plan to invest an additional $93 million to build a new foundry for cast iron discs.
Continue ReadingPoint S expands into Malaysia
Point S has launched in Asia, specifically Malaysia. Malaysia becomes the first country on the continent Asia to join the international network of independent tyre dealers after the group began in Europe and has since expanded into America and Africa. The implementation of the brand will be operated through a master franchise agreement with GIIB Group (Goodway Integrated Industries Berhad) and partners, which will create a dedicated company to manage and develop the Point S network.
Continue ReadingPirelli and Milan Bicocca University continue eco tyre development partnership
Pirelli and Milan Bicocca University’s CORIMAV eco-tyre cooperation agreements has resulted in one patent a year, 44 student scholarships and 36 doctoral scholarships since it began in 2001. These results and all the advanced materials research resulting from the recently renewed partnership between Pirelli and Milan Bicocca University, was celebrated at an event attended by Pirelli’s CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera and the rector of the university, Cristina Messa.
Continue ReadingNokian Tyres and Vianor help set new world record for the fastest car on two wheels
A new world record for the fastest car on two wheels was set at Seinäjoki Airport on August 31st, when Nokian Tyres’ product development, Vianor’s professional pit crew and well-known stunt driver Vesa Kivimäki combined their strengths. The tyres on the record-breaking car had been reinforced with Nokian Tyres Aramid Sidewall technology and the new record was set at a speed of 186.269 km/h (115.742 mph)
Continue ReadingFM Tyres a reliable partner to wholesalers
The last time Tyrepress.com spoke with Frank van Leeuwen, he was still managing director at Dutch wholesaler Euro-Tyre. He left the company in 2014 and subsequently formed a new business with former Euro-Tyre purchasing manager Mischa Driessen; today the pair are still based in Venlo as shareholders and partners in FM Tyres, and draw upon their more than 20 years of experience in the tyre business in their new role as “reliable partner” to wholesalers around the world.
Continue ReadingSABIC introduces new synthetic rubbers
Saudi Arabia-based diversified chemicals company SABIC is launching a new range of synthetic rubbers, which are being manufactured for the first time in Saudi. The products made their debut at the K-Show Europe Exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany, 19-26 October 2016.
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