Lehigh Technologies establishes European subsidiary – local production to follow
In the eight years since US-based green materials manufacturer Lehigh Technologies first brought its micronised rubber powder (MRP) to market, the substance has been used in the production of at least 300 million new tyres around the world. Today Lehigh sells its MRP in numerous markets, including several in Europe, and in order to better serve its customers in our region (as well as those in the Middle East and Africa) the company has now opened a wholly-owned subsidiary in Spain.
Continue ReadingWest European trailer market starts 2015 well
A new report suggests demand for heavy goods trailers in Western Europe was strong at the start of 2015. Registrations of new trailers are forecast to grow by 12.8 per cent in the first half and 4.7 per cent in the second, according to the research conducted by Clear International. Overall the market is expected to be stronger than anticipated six months ago.
Continue ReadingLandsail selling 1.5 million tyres a year via Grouptyre
With Landsail and Grouptyre celebrating their third anniversary this June, the two firms have announced that the partnership is now selling over 1.5 million units a year. Grouptyre became the sole distributor of Landsail in the UK and Ireland when the deal was struck three years ago and, according to both the partners and the unit sales figures, the relationship has gone from strength to strength since then.
Continue ReadingApollo appoints J. Walter Thompson as global creative agency
Apollo Tyres has appointed J. Walter Thompson Company as its global creative agency. According to Apollo, the agency won after a multi-agency pitch. J. Walter Thompson Company replaces Apollo Tyres’ earlier agency, The Brooklyn Brothers.
Continue ReadingCeva launches multi-brand ‘TyreCity’ logistics solution in Italy
Ceva Logistics has officially opened a new 80,000 square metre facility in Italy dedicated to the warehousing, handling and cross docking of tyres and related products. The new TyreCity operation is located near Milan in the municipality of Somaglia, and it the fourth centre Ceva Logistics has set up in Italy in order to cater to a specific sector; the logistics specialist already operates City of Books for the publishing sector, City of Pharma for the healthcare products market, and TechCity for the electronics sector.
Continue ReadingFalken Ecorun an option for Honda’s new HR-V
The Honda HR-V will begin appearing in showrooms across Europe this summer, and Falken Tyre Europe shares that purchasers of the compact SUV have the option of choosing Falken tyres as original equipment. Honda Access Europe has approved the size 225/45R18 91W Falken Ziex ZE914 Ecorun for fitment; this is the first partnership between Falken Tyre Europe and Honda Access Europe. Initial batches of tyres are being delivered this month.
Continue ReadingAutopromotec considering South American and/or Middle Eastern shows
For the past few years Autopromotec’s organisers, Promotec Spa, have observed an ongoing “regional versus national trend” in the automotive trade show field. Up till now Promotec executives haven’t shared much about what this means for their shows or what plans they have in response, but now it looks like the goal is to export the successful Autopromotec model to other regions and markets, making the Bologna ‘mother show’ even more of a regional exhibition rather than simply an Italian show. Tyres & Accessories met up with Autopromotec brand manager Emanuele Vicentini during May’s Autopromotec in Bologna and learnt that we could soon be hearing about Autopromotec events in other countries.
Continue ReadingDunlop Aircraft Tyres signs tyre supply contract with Garuda Indonesia
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has clinched a three-year deal to support Garuda Indonesia’s fleet of Bombardier CRJ1000 NextGen regional jets. Announced at Paris Air Show, Dunlop estimates that the contract with the airline’s maintenance company, GMF AeroAsia, will be worth in excess of US$3 million. It is the first time that Dunlop, the world’s only dedicated […]
Continue ReadingMuted May growth for European car market
Demand for new passenger cars in the European Union increased for the 21st month in a row in May. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) reports that monthly registrations rose 1.3 per cent year-on-year to 1,109,893 units. This figure is, admittedly, the lowest percentage increase since this period of consecutive growth began.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Wrangler DuraTrac wins 2015 Off Road Award
Goodyear’s Wrangler DuraTrac tyre has been chosen as the best off-road tyre by readers of the specialised German magazine Off Road. It was the third successive year the tyre has won. The Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac won in the “Traction Tyres” category in which readers were invited to vote for one of 10 candidates. 30 per cent of the votes went to the Goodyear tyre, which was developed for use on tough terrain.
Continue ReadingSid Richardson planning Mexico carbon black facility
Carbon black manufacturer Sid Richardson Carbon & Energy Co. says it has “roots planted deep in Texas”. These roots will soon stretch south of the border, however. The company has announced it has begun the planning phase for the construction of a carbon black production facility in Mexico. Company president and CEO Bill Jones says the plant is expected to be producing carbon black by 2017.
Continue ReadingPlant upgrade to boost Michelin’s light truck/SUV tyre capacity in USA
Production capacity for high performance light truck and SUV tyres at Michelin’s Dothan factory in the US will increase by ten per cent when upgrades now being installed in the plant are completed in the summer of 2016. Michelin says it is investing US$22 million to upgrade the 35 year old plant, which currently employs 560 people. Approximately 40 new jobs will be created by the investment.
Continue ReadingGlobal tyre markets May 2015
Weakness in the Russia and CIS region held European passenger car and truck tyre sales back in May 2015. According to market figures released by Michelin yesterday, the original equipment passenger car tyre market in Europe (including Russia/CIS and Turkey) remained at the same level as May 2014, while the replacement market shrank three per cent year-on-year. These two markets are still respectively three per cent and one per cent higher year-on-year for the January to May 2015 period.
Continue ReadingContinental fully acquires Alençon Pneus, integrating into BestDrive network
In May 2011, Continental acquired a 49.9 per cent in French tyre chain Alençon Pneus; the company has now exercised its option to purchase the remaining share, and has become the 100 per cent owner of Alençon Pneus.
Continue ReadingNew Jaguar XE fitted with Dunlop tyres
Dunlop has that a number of its tyres are approved fitments on the new Jaguar XE. With the XE coming with range of tyre and wheel fitments depending on the trim selected, Dunlop is providing five fitments in total.
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