Elgi Rubber buys US machinery producer
India’s Elgi Rubber Co. Ltd has acquired US retreading equipment manufacturer American Equipment Manufacturing Inc., a firm better known in the market as Cincinnati Retreading/Reclamation Systems; CRS was established in 1975 as a division of American Equipment Manufacturing. The Aztec (New Mexico) headquartered firm is primarily known for its buffing machines, which are produced in the CRS factory in Fairfield (Ohio). According to media reports, Elgi Rubber intends to further expand the facility.
Continue ReadingBartec Auto ID to show TPMS at Autopromotec
Bartec Auto ID Limited will be providing hands-on demonstrations of its range of TPMS diagnostic tools at the Autopromotec exhibition in Bologna, Italy, from 20 to 24 May 2015. Bartec’s award-winning tools include the TECH400SD and TECH500, used by professional tyre and repair shops throughout Europe and these will be shown working in conjunction with […]
Continue ReadingAutopromotecEDU 2015 schedule released
Autopromotec, automotive equipment and aftermarket exhibition to be held in Bologna, between 20 and 24 May, recently unveiled the event schedule of its AutopromotecEDU sessions. AutopromotecEDU is billed as the arena for business-to-business meetings and discussions on the current issues of the automotive aftermarket industry.
Continue ReadingAlcoa Wheel Products Europe appoints new sales director
Alcoa Wheel Products Europe has named Kai Sommerlatte as sales director for the Europe, Middle East and North Africa region, effective 1 May 2015.
Continue ReadingKorean demand for British-built cars up 476% since 2009
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is to lead a delegation of specialist UK automotive companies in a trade visit to Seoul, as the industry seeks to strengthen business links and partnerships with Korean companies. The trade mission comes on the back of a record UK-Korea trading year. Korea is now the third biggest Asian export hub for the UK automotive industry – and the eighth largest export market. British car exports to Korea have grown by a record 476 per cent, with 13,337 vehicles shipped to the country last year compared with 2315 in 2009.
Continue Reading![Victory for VMI in China intellectual property claim](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/vmi.jpg)
Victory for VMI in China intellectual property claim
The State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) of China has upheld a patent infringement claim lodged by leading tyre machinery manufacturer VMI. Based on what VMI describes as “clear evidence of infringement” of a VMI tyre building drum patent by Shuangjun Plastic and Rubber Machinery Ltd., SIPO has ordered the company to stop manufacturing the product, offering it for sale and making false claims about its provenance.
Continue Reading![10 million Ecopia tyres sold in Asia Pacific – Bridgestone](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ecopia.jpg)
10 million Ecopia tyres sold in Asia Pacific – Bridgestone
More than 10 million original equipment and replacement market Ecopia tyres have been sold in the Asia Pacific region since the brand was first launched there in 2009, reports Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. As of 2014, Ecopia tyres accounted for more than 20 per cent of Bridgestones replacement market sales in Asia Pacific.
Continue Reading![Michelin Classic tyres return to Australia](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/mich-classic.jpg)
Michelin Classic tyres return to Australia
From May, owners of vintage and classic cars in Australia will once again be able to select suitable tyres from the Michelin Classic and Competition ranges. Approximately 90 product lines for vehicles manufactured between the 1930s and late 1970s will be offered, with motorsport tyre distributor Stuckey Tyre Service acting as distributor.
Continue Reading![TRW to open three new plants in China](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/trw.jpg)
TRW to open three new plants in China
By the end of next year, TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. intends to have opened three further plants in China. Two of these facilities will be located on the same site in Zhanghjiagang, Jiangsu province; the first, a factory dedicated to braking, will start operations at the end of the second quarter of 2015, while a November 2015 start is planned for the other, an occupant safety systems facility. The third plant is located in Xian and is also an occupant safety systems factory. It should be operational by the third quarter of 2016.
Continue ReadingBridgestone receives Edison Gold Award for guayule rubber activities
The research Bridgestone has conducted on the use of guayule-derived natural rubber in tyre production was recognised at the 2015 Edison Award Winners event on 23 April. The tyre maker went home with a 2015 Edison Gold Award for Innovation in Automotive Solutions.
Continue ReadingLower material costs help MRF double net quarter profits, despite Chinese competition
India’s MRF Limited reports that its year-on-year net profit almost doubled in the three months to 31 March 2015. Net profit during the period amounted to Rs 3,326 million (£34.4 million), up 94.6 per cent on the Rs 1,709 million (£17.7 million) earned in the first three months of 2014. This huge jump in profit was achieved in spite of hefty competition from imported Chinese tyres, and was facilitated by much lower natural rubber prices – Mumbai-based stock and wealth trading company Angel Broking reports that MRF’s raw material costs declined from 65.7 per cent of sales in the second quarter of calendar year 2014 to 57.4 per cent of sales in the reporting period. Net income of Rs 33,120 million (£342.7 million) for the quarter was only 0.4 per cent higher than a year ago.
Continue ReadingNon-certified Toyo earthquake aborbers found in 90 more buildings
90 more buildings in Japan were constructed with earthquake shock absorption devices that did not meet certification standards. According to The Japan Times, this brings the latest figure brings the total to 145. The report also quotes Toyo as saying four employees may have been involved in falsifying performance data on the quake-absorbing rubber equipment.
Continue ReadingTanzanian government to buy out General Tyre East Africa
The Tanzanian Government is reportedly in final talks with Continental AG on the subject of buying back its 26 per cent shareholding in the now-defunct General Tyre East Africa (GTEA) tyre manufacturing company. According to local news reports, the government intends to revamp the tyre company.
Continue ReadingKumho aiming to re-take Chinese market share
Kumho Tire is aiming to increase its sales in China by 30 per cent in 2015. According to online reports originally published by the Yonhap News, Kumho plans to re-take market share lost in the worlds largest auto market.
Continue ReadingSolvay starts work on Korean silica plant
At an official ceremony attended by local dignitaries, Solvay today launched the construction of its Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS) production plant in Gunsan, South Korea. The facility is being built to address growing demand in Asia for energy saving tyres, and to facilitate Solvay’s development of innovative HDS grades.
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