Trinseo expands S-SBR production 33% to meet tyre demand
Trinseo announced that it will expand capacity for Solution-Styrene Butadiene Rubber (S-SBR) on 24 October 2016. According to the company, this increased investment is a direct response to rising customer demand for this technology.
Continue ReadingKal Tire partners with University Of British Columbia
Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group and the University of British Columbia have formed a research partnership that will allow the two organizations to collaborate in developing technology and solutions for the mining tyre industry. In the recently-signed memorandum of understanding (MOU), both parties agree to pursue research and innovation as part of a partnership that matches expertise from UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering with the innovation goals of Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group.
Continue ReadingGoodyear ‘boss napping’ in France: Appeals process commences
The appeals process for eight former Goodyear employees accused of taking two company managers hostage in France began last week, some nine months after a first instance court sentenced each to 24 months’ imprisonment for their involvement in the incident. While the original sentence requires the eight to serve nine months in prison and the following 15 months of the two-year sentence on probation, the public prosecution is being called upon to retain the sentence yet allow for the entire 24 months to be served as a suspended custodial sentence.
Continue ReadingDoublestar forms European joint venture with Zenises
On 22 September 2016 Doublestar Europe Ltd was registered as a UK company based in London. Tyres & Accessories understands that the company is a joint venture between Zenises and growing Chinese tyremaker Qingdao Doublestar designed to bring Chinese products into European markets.
Continue ReadingNTDA reaffirms support for 3mm campaign
The NTDA reports that it remains “firmly committed to its 3mm Tread Safety campaign, an initiative designed to raise awareness among motorists of the importance of changing tyres when they reach a 3mm tread depth rather than the lower, legal limit of 1.6mm, which was launched in partnership with Roadsafe in 2005.” The NTDA statement follows comments made by well-known manufacturer Michelin at the end of September in opposition to 3mm tread depth tyre change philosophies.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg Wheel Systems wins Sri Lankan export accolade
The Trelleborg Wheel Systems manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka was recognised for its export achievements when it was honoured with a Presidential Export Award in a ceremony presided over by Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo.
Continue ReadingLayoffs at Yokohama tyre plant in the USA
Local news sources report that Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia (YTMV) will lay off 50 workers from its Salem facility over the next few weeks. According to WDBJ7, the Salem plant manager confirmed the layoffs last Friday, and the tyre maker wrote in a statement that that “the positions are being phased out to more effectively streamline YTMVs current production schedule and inventory capacity.”
Continue ReadingTitan International shares LSW planting test results
Titan International’s Low SideWall, or LSW tyres have been sold to the UK construction sector for the past year, however they are also gaining acceptance amongst agricultural users over in the USA and are prized by many for their reduced soil compaction characteristics, as well as the reduction in road lope and power hop they bring. The Titan LSW agricultural tyres are sold under the Goodyear brand name.
Continue ReadingWingfoot Two: Second Goodyear blimp ‘christened’
A crowd of more than 2,000 spectators looked on last Friday as a ceremonial bottle of champagne was broken over the nose of Goodyear Tire & Rubber’s newest blimp and it was officially given the name Wingfoot Two. The 246 foot airship was built in the USA by German firm Zeppelin NT and is the second of the new-generation ‘blimp’ fleet to enter service. It and its older sibling the Wingfoot One, which took to the air in 2014, are 50 feet longer than the previous generation of blimps and, at 73 mph, can travel more than 20 mph faster.
Continue ReadingPirelli Ice Zero wins harsh ice, snow test
Pirelli’s Ice Zero studded tyre has been awarded top honours in a dedicated test hosted by one of Sweden’s leading car magazines. The tyre beat eight key rivals from the best-known tyre manufacturers in the industry during a rigorous test that tested every aspect of snow and ice performance. Traction, braking, grip and handling in a variety of snow and ice conditions were assessed during the test, carried out by Swedish car magazine Teknikens Varld.
Continue ReadingFour retreaders from Australia and New Zealand visit Vipal
Between 9 and 15 October, four Vipal retreading partners from Australia and New Zealand visiting the firm’s facilities in Brazil. There were four retreaders in total, three from Australia (Arctic Cool, Tyre Lug and Eco Green) and one from New Zealand, (Power Retread). They toured the three plants of the leading tyre retreader, two in Nova Prata, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), and one in Feira de Santana, Bahia (BA). Vipal’s Head of International Business, Leandro Rigon, welcomed the group, accompanied by Adalberto Fernandez, Vipal’s Manager for MEROC (comprising Mercosul and Oceania), Tiago Campanharo, Commercial Director in Australia, and Rodrigo Refatti, Marketing Specialist.
Continue ReadingPirelli on track for a 2018 IPO
On 19 October the board of directors of Pirelli & C. S.p.A. met in Milan to discuss the integration of Pirelli Industrial and Aeolus, along with plans for a 2018 IPO, a year earlier than expected. As a result of the meeting the board, approved the firm’s 2016-2018 industrial plan, including its vision up to 2020 for Pirelli consumer.
Continue ReadingGold for Vredestein #ROCKTHEROAD video
Dutch electronic music artist DJ Hardwell comes across as an unlikely bedfellow for a tyre manufacturer, however his association with Apollo Vredestein has proven golden. The ‘Run Wild’ music video by DJ Hardwell, part of Vredestein’s #ROCKTHEROAD promotional campaign, has been presented with a Golden Dolphin in the Integrated Communication category at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards 2016. Facing competition from over 1,000 submissions and 177 selected productions, Vredestein was awarded the Golden Dolphin at a ceremony held in Palm Beach, Cannes last night.
Continue ReadingHankook Tire not bidding for Kumho Tire share
Speculation is rife in South Korea regarding who’ll acquire the 42.1 per cent shareholding in Kumho Tire that is currently up for sale. Pirelli parent company ChemChina has already been named as a prospective buyer, as have Continental and Michelin. One tyre company can, however, be ruled out as a new Kumho Tire shareholder.
Continue ReadingToyo Proxes R888R availability extended to US
The Proxes R888R road and track tyre, which was launched in the UK at the start of last year, is now available on the other side of The Pond. Toyo Tire U.S.A. has released the Proxes R888R as an evolution of its Proxes R888 and states the tyre will deliver “even faster lap times and better dry handling.” With a tread wear rating of 100 AA A, the Proxes R888R is available in the US in a full range of sizes to fit 13- up to 20-inch diameter wheels, with additional sizes to be released through summer 2017.
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