A tale of two markets…
Global markets and tyre markets interact with each other. With economics and indeed the tyre market being more “global” than ever, events in one market are bound to have a greater impact on other markets than ever. And with Europe having experienced its share of political and especially economic instability in the last decade, while […]
Continue ReadingFire causes serious damage at Linglong’s Thailand tyre plant
According to local news sources, Shandong Linglong Tyre Co. Ltd’s consumer tyre factory in Thailand has been badly damaged by fire. Six of the 15 warehouses at the LLIT Thailand facility in Chonburi province are said to have been destroyed in the blaze, which began on 1 February have allegedly caused an estimated US$40 million of damage. The manufacturing facility at the site has been temporarily closed.
Continue ReadingCooper appoints Hughes as COO
On 30 January Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has appointed has promoted Brad Hughes into the newly created position of senior vice president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. In this role, Hughes has responsibility for Cooper’s worldwide operations throughout North America, Asia, Europe and Latin America. He has been with the company for five years, beginning in 2009 as chief financial officer. In July 2014, he was appointed to lead the company’s International segment as president—International Tire Operations.
Continue ReadingContinental moves ‘MENA’ replacement tyre operations to Dubai
Continental has relocated its replacement market PLT (passenger and light truck tyre) and (CVT) commercial vehicle tyre business operations for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region from the company’s headquarters site in Hanover, Germany to Dubai. This shift relates to the 29-country region’s marketing, sales, customer services and controlling functions.
Continue ReadingApollo Tyres negotiating European original equipment deals
Apollo Tyres is reportedly in discussions with several vehicle manufacturers in Europe regarding the supply of original equipment tyres. Speaking with Indian publication The Financial Express, vice-chairman and managing director Neeraj Kanwar said that the list of companies the tyre makers is in talks with includes BMW, Volkswagen and General Motors.
Continue ReadingAeolus sponsored Dongfeng finishes first in home port of Sanya
Aeolus became platinum sponsor of the Dongfeng Racing Team in the Volvo Ocean Race this season (2014/15), and now for the first time in in the Race’s 41-year history a Chinese team has won a leg. After leading the fleet virtually all the way from Abu Dhabi to Sanya in China, over more than 5,000 miles of intense ocean racing, Dongfeng finally crossed the finish line in first place as the sun rose over Sanya (23:31:38 UTC) in a time of 23 days, 13 hours, 31 minutes and 38 seconds.
Continue ReadingFrench, German and Italian laboratories pool resources in ERRLAB initiative
On 26 January the LRCCP, DIK and CERISIE rubber laboratories from France, Germany and Italy respectively signed up to the ERRLAB – an informal network rubber research and testing in rubber facilities. As a result of the move more than 100 highly rubber specialized doctors, engineers and technicians are committed to the project.
Continue ReadingRecycled EV batteries to be used in power grid
A project is bringing Bosch, the BMW Group and Vattenfall together sees the companies reuse old electric vehicle batteries to form a large-scale energy storage system in Hamburg. Bosch, BMW, and Vattenfall believe in the concept to the extent they have launched the Second Life Batteries alliance. BMW is supplying batteries from its ActiveE and i3 electric vehicles, while Vattenfall has agreed to operate the massive storage system at its site for a period of 10 years. Bosch is in charge of integrating the batteries and managing the system. The storage solution will become part of an already existing Vattenfall virtual power plant. This allows the partners to combine various small, decentralized power generating systems to market them as a shared power plant.
Continue ReadingIndia’s JK Tyre improves debt rating
JK Tyre & Industries has raised its short and long term debt ratings from A1 to A1+ and A to A+ respectively. Arun K Bajoria, president of JK Tyre, told The Times of India that the improved credit ratings were “testimony to JK Tyres strong fundamentals.”
Continue ReadingTrelleborg ProgressiveTraction to receive FinOvation Award at Kentucky show
Trelleborg’s ProgressiveTraction agricultural tyre technology will be honoured with a FinOvation Award during the US Farm Machinery show. The striking “stepped” double lug was introduced to European acclaim in 2013. It is designed to homogenise the transmission of force, leading to improved traction and longevity in the field. Farm Machinery will take place from 11 to 14 February in Louisville, Kentucky.
Continue ReadingTTI awards nominees named
The nominees for the 2015 Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence have been announced, and the shortlist of contenders includes a number of well-known tyre industry names. Goodyear, Kumho, Michelin and Yokohama are competing to be crowned Tire Manufacturer of the Year, and Michelin and Yokohama also appear a second time, being up against Trelleborg and steel wire specialist Bekaert in the Tire Technology of the year category.
Continue ReadingTanzanian government supports reopening of General Tire factory
The Tanzanian government has reiterated its commitment to restarting production at the General Tyre East African Limited (GTEA) factory before the end of this year. The state-owned venture was once a significant player in the East African tyre market, along with Kenya’s former Firestone operation. According to local news sources, it started manufacturing tyres in 1971 and at its peak produced up to 1,200 tyres a day and employed over 4,000 workers.
Continue ReadingUS sets antidumping duties for Chinese tyres
Antidumping duties of up to 87.99 per cent will be levied on passenger car and light truck tyres imported from China into the United States, the US Department of Commerce determined yesterday. Its preliminary determination was based on findings that some imports of passenger car and light truck tyres from China were sold in the US at dumping margins ranging from 19.17 per cent to 87.99 per cent.
Continue ReadingKordsa Global opens new tyre cord plant in Indonesia
Kordsa Global has opened its second site in Indonesia. The company invested US$100 million in the project and the plant, located in Bogor-Citeureup (Java) includes an 18 kiloton tyre cord fabric facility and a 14 kiloton third and fourth-generation polyester HMLS yarn facility. Over 200 people will be employed at the two operations. The site’s official opening was attended by Sabanci Holding chairperson Guler Sabanci, Mehmet Pekarun, SBU industry president of Sabanci Holding and chairman of Kordsa, Cenk Alper, Kordsa Global CEO, officials from Indonesia’s government and local administrators.
Continue ReadingContinental aiding Asia Pacific growth with market-specific tyres
Antonio Lopes Seabra, executive-vice president at Continental AG and head of the tyre maker’s PLT tyre Replacement Asia Pacific business unit, says Continental sees “great potential in the APAC region.” Over the past 12 months the company has commenced or stepped up operations in a number of Asian markets, and it aims to “bring more driving fun” to a broader audience in the Asia Pacific area by supplying products suited to the region.
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