![Spain’s Koem Grupo to distribute Aeolus](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/AEOLUS_KOEM_20140529.jpg)
Spain’s Koem Grupo to distribute Aeolus
Aeolus Tyre has appointed Koem Grupo Comercial S.L. its consumer segment distributor in Spain, Andorra and the Spanish islands. The arrangement gives Koem exclusive distribution of Aeolus’ passenger car, van and SUV tyre ranges.
Continue Reading![New chairman for Continental’s German work council](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/pr_2014_07_04_frank_michael_hell_uv-data.jpg)
New chairman for Continental’s German work council
When employees in Continental’s home country have work-related issues, they can go to Hell. They’ll be pleased to do so, as members of the Continental Corporation Works Council have elected Frank Michael Hell the council’s new chair, effective immediately. Council vice-chair is Hans Fischl, who previously held the position of chair on the works council. The corporations works council currently consists of 44 members and represents the interests of the approximately 50,000 Continental employees in Germany.
Continue Reading![The return of US tyre import tariffs?](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/red-flag-wholesale-tyres-e1369658926820.jpg)
The return of US tyre import tariffs?
The global tyre industry is keeping a watchful eye on the US International Trade Commission, which is set to make a preliminary decision on whether or not to enforce import duties on tyres produced in China. Preliminary arguments for and against this were made before the body on 24 June and since then the US Tire Industry Association (TIA) has also weighed in. However, ITC won’t make its initial ruling till 8 July.
Continue Reading![Akron eager to host new Goodyear factory](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/np-akron-meeting.jpg)
Akron eager to host new Goodyear factory
The shortlist of locations for Goodyear’s new factory in the Americas is said to include Brazil, Columbia, Mexico and the US. It goes without saying that numerous factors will be weighed up before a final decision is reached, and we can expect regional councils and development agencies to try and make their local area as attractive to Goodyear as possible. Authorities in the tyre maker’s hometown have been the first to officially show their interest.
Continue ReadingIndian tyre makers’ association seeks duties review
The organisation representing India’s tyre makers has petitioned the country’s Finance Ministry to review its regional trade agreements and the duties charged under them. In a memorandum, the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association reiterated its long-standing claim that domestic manufacturers are being harmed by a double whammy of cheap, imported tyres and heavily-taxed raw material imports.
Continue ReadingRasey to head BKT Americas’ OTR division
BKT Tires shares that Shawn Rasey joined the company on 1 July as president of the BKT Americas OTR division. The company says the move is “another step in our commitment to build a world class mining and construction OTR tyre business.”
Continue Reading![Apollo launches Alnac 4G all season and winter tyres](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/APOLLO-ALNAC-4G-WINTER.jpg)
Apollo launches Alnac 4G all season and winter tyres
With its sights set on gaining a bigger part of the European tyre market, on 27 May Apollo Tyres introduced two new tyres in Essen. The two new tyres, Apollo Alnac 4G All Season and Apollo Alnac 4G Winter tyres, joined to the existing range of Apollo Alnac 4G tyres being sold in Europe. Both tyres were developed in Apollo Tyres’ Global R&D Centre in the Netherlands and have been optimised to suit the requirements of European drivers and the European road network. While this was going on in the foreground, in the background the company has been involved in complex discussions relating to its much publicised plans to build an Eastern European factory. To this end Tyres & Accessories spoke with chief marketing officer Marco Paracciani. But first the new products…
Continue ReadingApollo increases Chennai tyre plant by 50%
Apollo Tyres Ltd’s board of directors has approved the expansion of truck-bus radial capacity at the Chennai plant from present levels of 6000 tyres per day to 8900 tyres per day. According to the company this move stems from the fact that the Chennai plant is outperforming projections.
Continue Reading![21 German First Stop outlets threatened with closure](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/First-Stop_tb-800x531.jpg)
21 German First Stop outlets threatened with closure
The First Stop network began with the opening of two service centres in the UK in 1994, and over the following two decades grew into a pan-European retail chain boasting almost 2,000 outlets in 25 countries. On its website, First Stop says this “success story continues”, however in one market the network’s presence may soon suffer a hefty setback. Our German sister magazine Neue Reifenzeitung reports that First Stop has commenced a restructuring and consolidation programme in Germany, and in a worst case scenario this could lead to the closure of up to 21 Bridgestone-owned First Stop centres in the country – out of a total of 64 – before the end of this year. This potential slashing of numbers follows the closure of five outlets in 2013. Neue Reifenzeitung notes that at present no concrete plans regarding branch closures have been announced, and it is not yet clear which 21 of the 64 outlets are threatened.
Continue Reading![Creditor funding for Kumho US plant approved; production to start early 2016](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/georgia1.jpg)
Creditor funding for Kumho US plant approved; production to start early 2016
Kumho Tire has announced that work will resume on its tyre plant in the US state of Georgia. In a Korean-language statement issued 30 June, the company said it had approved an investment by creditors, and anticipates that the US$413 facility will be complete in early 2016. This information was confirmed the following day by the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority.
Continue Reading![Aeolus a DongFeng Racing Team platinum sponsor](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/np-Dongfeng-Race-Team_240614_0726.jpg)
Aeolus a DongFeng Racing Team platinum sponsor
According to Greek mythology, Aeolus was the ruler of the winds, and for this reason Aeolus Tyres’ Western Europe general manager considers sponsoring a participant in the Volvo Ocean Race 2014/2015 highly appropriate. At a press conference in the French seaport of Lorient, Thomas Wohlgemuth said the sponsorship deal with the DongFeng Racing Team had “set the sails towards the right direction” and will aid Aeolus in its goal of positioning itself at the apex of its business segment.
Continue Reading![Evonik investing in silane research centre](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/np-Spatenstich-fuer-das-neue-Forschungszentrum.jpg)
Evonik investing in silane research centre
Some six weeks after inaugurating its new tyre applied technology research building, Evonik Industries has broken ground on a new research centre at its site in Rheinfelden, Germany. The company says it is investing a “double-digit million euro” figure in the new four-storey facility, which as of early 2016 will be used for research into silanes for tyre industry and other applications. Application engineering, analytics, and quality management functions will also be located in the new centre in future.
Continue Reading![Mitas to expand Serbia tyre factory](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Mitas-factory-in-Ruma-Serbia_Photo-by-Ivo-Somr-2014.jpg)
Mitas to expand Serbia tyre factory
Mitas has announced plans to invest the expansion of its Ruma, Serbia factory. In the first part of the planned upgrades, Mitas will build a new logistics centre. According to the company, this will help satisfy the rising demand from South European, East European and Middle East markets. In practice this means Mitas will soon also prepare an upgrade of Rumas production capacities for radial agricultural and forestry tyres. Mitas’ Serbian factory now produces both bias and radial agricultural tyres. The investment will be completed in mid-2016, at which point the Ruma plant will have a capacity of 35,000 tonnes a year.
Continue Reading![Maxam distributor Propneu wins dealer award](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_20140612_140603-3.jpg)
Maxam distributor Propneu wins dealer award
Czech company Propneu S.r.o. was awarded the Maxam European dealer trophy for 2013 at the recent Expo Mokra exhibition, held near Brno in the Czech Republic. Established in 2003, Propneu has been the exclusive distributor for Maxam tyres in the Czech and Slovak republics for six years and they have built up their business to become the market leaders in the supply and servicing of OTR tyres and tyres for construction equipment in this area.
Continue ReadingFire at Bridgestone Americas factory
A fire at the Bridgestone Americas plant in Wilson, North Carolina, USA. According to news reports emanating from US trade magazine Tire Review, the fire forced the evacuation of hundreds of employees on Saturday 28 June 2014.
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