![Pon Group acquires German B2C tyre portal](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Goodwheel.jpg)
Pon Group acquires German B2C tyre portal
The Pon Group has invested heavily in expanding its tyre business in recent years. After acquiring Euro-Tyre in 2010, the Dutch firm also took over German tyre wholesaler Reifen Gundlach. Jannes Bouman, Pon Group senior vice-president responsible for the Pon Tyre Group, now reports a further recent acquisition; the company has acquired a majority share in German B2C online tyre retailer Goodwheel GmbH.
Continue Reading![Zafco promises Otani expansion into European commercial tyre market](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/IMG_2425.jpg)
Zafco promises Otani expansion into European commercial tyre market
Dubai-based importer-exporter Zafco is to expand the reach of the Thai commercial vehicle tyre brand, Otani. The manufacturer was incorporated three decades ago with the aim of becoming a leading manufacturer of agricultural, off-the-road, and commercial bias tyres in Southeast Asia. Otani has since expanded its TBR range, and now has an eye on Europe, having displayed its 14-size Expero TBR range at Reifen 2014 on Zafco’s stand.
Continue Reading![Hämmerling appointments to drive further internationalisation](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Hämmerling-Einkauf.jpg)
Hämmerling appointments to drive further internationalisation
The Hämmerling Group is further internationalising and expanding its purchasing and export teams with the addition of new staff for these areas. At present the tyre wholesaler is looking for someone to head up exports; the new appointee will be expected to “drive the continuous expansion of market share within Europe and propel further growth by seeking out new distribution partners.”
Continue Reading![Rubber and metal – Vianor changes tyres with Hammerfall](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/hammerfall.jpg)
Rubber and metal – Vianor changes tyres with Hammerfall
In Nokian Tyres’ opinion, advertising within the tyre industry is often boring, and they may have a point. So the company decided to do something about this by arranging and filming a surprise for customers at one of its Vianor retail centres in Gothenburg, Sweden. Unsuspecting motorists arriving for tyre changes were treated to a ‘personal gig’ from Swedish heavy metal band Hammerfall, and the YouTube video of the event has been viewed almost 700,000 times within three days.
Continue ReadingWill Schrader show its Wireless Auto Locate (WAL) Technology in Bologna?
Schrader International, a company well known for its direct TPMS sensors and which has an even longer history with valves reaching back decades, makes one of its first appearances on the European aftermarket trade show circuit following the company’s acquisition by Sensata in October 2014. With this in mind Tyres & Accessories asks what the firm is likely to be showing in Bologna.
Continue Reading![Italmatic to show two new machines at Autopromotec](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Builder01.jpg)
Italmatic to show two new machines at Autopromotec
Italmatic, the Italian tyre manufacturing equipment maker, has revealed plants to present two new machines on its stand (B76, hall 22) at Autopromotec 2015, which will be held in Bologna in May. Characterising the event as “very significant news confirming its role of leader in the worldwide market”, Italmatic representatives explained that the firm will be showing a new buffer and a new tyre builder during the exhibition.
Continue Reading![China facility Goodyear’s 3rd global R&D centre](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/194466.jpg)
China facility Goodyear’s 3rd global R&D centre
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has announced the establishment of the company’s first research and development facility in China. The new R&D centre is located at the tyre maker’s Pulandian plant in Liaoning Province and will focus on product customisation for original equipment fitments and project support services, supplementing the core tyre technology development that takes place in Goodyear’s global innovation centres in Akron (Ohio, US) and Colmar-Berg (Luxembourg). Goodyear says the facility in China will shorten the time taken to develop high-value-added tyres, particularly for China-based vehicle manufacturers.
Continue Reading![Bridgestone is Thailand’s ‘best-selling tyre’ – again](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/thailand-award.jpg)
Bridgestone is Thailand’s ‘best-selling tyre’ – again
For the 17th consecutive year, Bridgestone has been voted the best-selling tyre in Thailand. Bridgestone Sales (Thailand) Co., Ltd. received the ‘Best Selling Tyre Award’ at the recent ‘Thailand Car of the Year 2015’ awards ceremony in Bangkok. The accolade was presented by Dr Atchaka Sibunruang, permanent secretary of Thailand’s Ministry of Industry.
Continue Reading![Italian launch for Kumho Flagship Store programme](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/DSC_00542.jpg)
Italian launch for Kumho Flagship Store programme
Following the rollout of similar facilities in South Korea, the US, Australia and the UK, Kumho Tire opened its first ‘Kumho Flagship Store’ in Italy on 20 March. As in the other markets, the Italian flagship centre scheme aims to reward and help dealers who focus on the Kumho brand. The first facility, at the Pneus2000 centre in Offanengo, Cremona province, was selected from within the tyre maker’s Kumho Platinum Club network in Italy and will be followed in the near future by other centres in main cities throughout the country.
Continue Reading![October production start for Yokohama’s US tyre plant](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/yoko-plant.jpg)
October production start for Yokohama’s US tyre plant
According to a progress update on the the Yokohama tyre factory currently being built in the United States, work on the approximately 1 million square foot (92,900 square metre) commercial vehicle tyre plant in West Point, Mississippi is on schedule and now nearing completion. Many of the key construction, equipment installation and job recruitment milestones have reportedly been reached on schedule, and the Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi facility is now on target to begin production in October 2015.
Continue Reading![Fan loyalty the focus of Hankook Tire’s latest football campaign](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/hankook-uefa.jpg)
Fan loyalty the focus of Hankook Tire’s latest football campaign
All English clubs may have already been knocked out, but eight teams remain in with a chance to win this year’s Europa League final, which will take place in Warsaw, Poland on 27 May. If your favourite team is still in the running, your support could pay off. In association with the UEFA Europa League, Hankook Tire has launched the ‘Hankook Digital Fan Match’ campaign and invites fans to show their support for the quarter finalists.
Continue Reading‘Ultra Mega Project’ – MRF investing Rs 45 billion to expand facilities
India’s MRF Ltd has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that it will invest Rs 45 billion (£483.5 million) in its Perambalur and Arakonam plants in Tamil Nadu state over a seven year period as part of an expansion plan. The tyre maker will gain some level of support from the government of Tamil Nadu and says it will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the government there in the near future. The government of Tamil Nadu has accorded the MRF expansion project ‘Ultra Mega Project Status’ under Tamil Nadu Industrial Policy 2014, a policy that aims to strengthen the state as a centre of manufacturing and increase exports from the region.
Continue ReadingDouble Coin investing US$1.87 billion in seven firms
Chinese tyre manufacturer Double Coin has announced plans to invest a total of 11.6 billion yuan (£1.251 billion; 1.710 billion euros; $1.87 billion) in seven companies. It is not clear which firms the company is planning to invest in, but initial indications suggest it is considering a suite of internal and domestic investments. According to a Reuters report, the Shanghai-based firm plans to raise up to 3.7 billion yuan towards funding the investments in a private placement.
Continue ReadingPirelli truck tyre business to merge with Aeolus
Following the news that Pirelli is effectively being bought by ChemChina (the state-owned parent company of Chinese brands including Aeolus), further details – namely the implications of the transaction on the truck tyre sector – are continuing to emerge. According to various news sources, it now looks likely that the Italian company’s truck tyre business will be merged with Aeolus Tyres (which is itself best-known for its commercial vehicle tyre products). Reuters made this claim by citing a statement from former Pirelli controlling shareholding company Camfin, which said Pirelli’s truck and industrial tyre business would be “folded into ChemChinas listed unit Aeolus, allowing it to double its output”.
Continue Reading![Pirelli shareholding to be controlled by ChemChina](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChemChina_portrait.jpg)
Pirelli shareholding to be controlled by ChemChina
In the early hours of 23 March 2015 Beijing Time, ChemChina’s China National Tire & Rubber Co. (CNRC) subsidiary signed an agreement with Camfin S.p.A. to purchase Camfin’s 26.2 per cent Pirelli shareholding at 15 euros a share. This values Pirelli at around 7.1 billion euros (£5.15 billion pounds). A joint tender offer by ChemChina, Camfin and other investors on the rest of Pirelli’s shareholding is now expected to follow.
Continue Reading