Lehigh Technologies Wins 2015 Bloomberg New Energy Pioneer award
On 13 April Lehigh Technologies, a materials company producing micronized rubber powders (MRP), announced it won the 2015 Bloomberg New Energy Pioneer award. Lehigh Technologies was recognized for its innovation in commercializing a range of Micronized Rubber Powders (MRP) from end-of life tyres that are used as raw materials in a wide range of industrial markets, ranging from rubber to asphalt. MRP can reduce feedstock costs by 30 per cent or more, while delivering equivalent or improved performance and an improved sustainability profile compared to oil-based chemical inputs.
US tyre association opposes tyre registration legislation
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) us officially opposing apparent tyre registration language in the Generating Renewal, Opportunity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America Act or GROW AMERICA Act that was released on 30 March 2015. At the crux of the issue is the way which the it opens the possibility that independent tyre dealer must register who buys which tyre and send this information to the government at no cost to the consumer.
Following news of the company’s plans to takeover Pirelli based on purchasing Camfin’s leading shareholding in the Italian tyre manufacturer, ChemChina has revealed that it has made a deal with Edizione Srl for an additional Pirelli stake. The latest share purchase suggests ChemChina is in the second phase of its acquisition en route to a publically stated goal of owning 65 per cent of Pirelli.
Hyundai replacing Genesis tyres in some markets due to noise and vibration
Owners of Hyundai Genesis models in a number of markets are being offered a substitute for the tyres fitted to their car as original equipment. The Korean vehicle maker reports vibration and road noise issues related to the Hankook Venus S1 Noble 2 tyres that were fitted as standard equipment to all models of the luxury saloon, and as a result owners are being offered alternative tyres – regardless of whether they have experienced any problems or not.
Toyota awards Bridgestone for Asia Pacific supply performance
Bridgestone has been awarded for its contribution as an original equipment supplier to Toyota in the Asia Pacific region. The 2014 Regional Supplier Overall Outstanding Performance Award was presented to Shinichi Hanashi, chief executive officer of Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., at the Toyota Motors Asia Pacific Engineering and Manufacturing Annual Supplier Conference, which took place in Thailand on 24 March.
Zenises developing 100-member Westlake Iberian tyre retail network
During its recent Partners Day in Bangkok, Thailand, Zenises announced the launch of its new Westlake retail initiative in Spain and Portugal. The Westlake affiliated garage network is being launch in 2015 and is aiming to support over 100 members over the next two years.
The Westlake brand is already well positioned in Spain and Portugal with national coverage via selected distributors and it is through deeper co-operation with these established regional wholesale channels that the new retail network will be initially developed.
Amerityre Corp. has named Michael Sullivan who has been chief operating officer of the company since 1 December 2014 as CEO. The appointment took effect on 1 April 2015. In February, Amerityre, which makes industrial tyre products and polyurethane tyre technologies, reported that it cut its net loss by one-third in the quarter ended 31 December to $128,465 on sales of $1.35 million. This announcement marked the firm’s 78th consecutive quarterly loss.
There is chaos in the Russian light vehicle market, with some of the fastest contractions on record. The Russian light-vehicle market posted a the highest rate of monthly contraction since the accelerated decline of 2009 of 42.5 per cent year-on-year to 139,850 units, according to the latest data set released by the Association of European Businesses (AEB).
The chairman of the AEBs vehicle manufacturers committee blamed the pull-forward effect of the governments scrappage scheme and the heavy price inflation. The latter is no doubt a bigger reason for the collapse as the general macroeconomic environment in Russia continues to deteriorate alarmingly as the rouble weakens and sanctions bite,
Trelleborg has officially finalized the acquisition of Armstrong Tyres, an Australian agricultural tyre service and distribution company. According to the company, the transaction will be consolidated as of 10 April 2015. The acquired operation has its head office in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. Sales in 2014 amounted to approximately 50 million Swedish krone. The acquisition, which is described as a “bolt-on” reportedly comes as part of Trelleborg’s strategy to strengthen its positions in “attractive market segments”. This concludes the purchase that was announced in an acquisition statement published on 31 March 2015.
In order to remedy a capacity shortfall, alloy wheel manufacturer Borbet GmbH has decided to erect a new factory. After evaluating the suitability of several sites in Germany as well as locations in Poland, Hungary and Brazil, the company has decided upon Kodersdorf in the German state of Saxony as the host region for its new greenfield facility.
Toyo Tires takes on baseball sponsorship with Boston Red Sox
US baseball team the Boston Red Sox has an official tyre, and that tyre is Toyo. Under a multi-year agreement, the tyre maker will be represented on signage at Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox, and holds the right to use the official tyre designation in its marketing.
Apollo lays foundation of Hungary Greenfield tyre manufacturing plant
Construction of Apollo Tyres’ first European Greenfield plant in Gyöngyöshalász, Hungary, officially began on 10 April 2015, with a foundation stone laying ceremony. The international tyre manufacturer’s facility will start production in early 2017. The facility will produce both, Apollo and Vredestein branded tyres and will cater to the entire European market.
iTrack rental scheme gains momentum with second Translogik deal
Translogik, the trading division of sensor system provider Transense Technologies plc, has won a contract to supply its iTrack mining tyre monitoring systems to the entire fleet of 46 large haul trucks at the BHP Billiton-owned Spence copper mine in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The iTrack systems will be supplied using Translogiks new rental pricing scheme.
Two Kumho co-CEOs resigned just a few days after being appointed, according to the Korea Herald.
Lee Han-seon and Park Se-chang, son of Kumho Asiana Group chairman Park Sam-koo, resigned from the position of CEO after the company’s major creditors demanded the pair’s resignations. The banks cited procedural problems with appointments as reason for the resignation, the Korea Herald reported.
Trax wins 1 million euro Renault aftersales contract in France
British wheel balancing weight manufacturer Trax has won a contract to supply balance weights to Motrio in France. According to Trax, the Motrio business is worth some 1 million euros over the next three years and will further strengthen the supply of Trax weights into France and the European market.
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