Infinity organises tyre check training for Nigeria Customs
Infinity Tyres has helped to organise a tyre identification awareness training programme with Nigeria’s Custom Service in Lagos. Infinity said it had identified the Nigeria Customs Service as a suitable gateway for checking the authenticity and quality of tyres brought into the country in the interest of “improving safety” on the country’s roads.
Continue ReadingCooper finalises Serbian acquisition
On 17 January Cooper Tire & Rubber completed its acquisition of the former Trayal manufacturing plant assets in Kruševac, Serbia. A formal signing ceremony was held to mark the official start of Cooper Tire Serbia; this was attended by Serbian President Boris Tadić, Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković, US Ambassador Mary Warlick, along with Roy Armes, Chairman, President and CEO of Cooper Tire. During the ceremony Armes stated that Cooper elected to invest in Serbia not only because of its significant economic potential, but also for its quality workforce, geographical advantages and Serbian government support.
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Open for business: T&A tours Triangle HQ and manufacturing base
Although six of the world’s top 20 largest tyre manufacturers are located in China and/or Taiwan, and despite the fact that all of these have global ambitions, for the most part these companies are still developing their positions in international markets. Likewise while reams have been written about the top names and more recently there has been increased coverage of the activities of the Korean bloc (Hankook, Kumho and Nexen), far less detail is reported about the leading Chinese players. It has to be said that this is partly because of the media’s gravitation towards well-known names but is also because – and this is something of a generalisation – Chinese manufacturers don’t have the best reputation when it comes to international communications.
Continue ReadingBack in REACH – Zafco responds to ETRMA result
Brand representatives report that since its launch in 2005, Zeetex has developed a strong reputation for quality assurance, safety and compliance with environmental requirements, and holds an impressive range of certifications. However, manufacturing body ETRMA found at least one Zeetex branded tyre that was non-REACH compliant was found on the European market in March this year. However, speaking in a recent interview with Tyres & Accessories, the global product manager of Zeetex at Zafco, Zafar Jafri, explained explained the company’s perspective on this issue: “ETRMA found a so-called ‘dirty’ tyre. At that time we were running two production lines (one for international sales and one for Europe).” Explaining that the tyre question was certainly not intended for the European market, Jafri continued by pointing out that the mishandling that led to the aforementioned tyre’s arrival in the European Union could only have come as a result of the mishandling at the factory’s warehouse, similarly unintentional mishandling at Zafco’s distribution centre or via grey-imports.
Continue ReadingChinese tyre makers lost share value in 2011
With China accounting for about 34 per cent of global rubber demand in 2011 and with demand for cars slowing last year in the People’ Republic, the varied economic climate is proving to be a challenging environment for the countries fast growing domestic tyre manufacturers. According to China Daily and Bloomberg reports, China's economy is forecast to grow 8.5 per cent next year, the least in 11 years, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Vehicle sales may rise by the least in 13 years in 2011, plunging from last year's record 32 per cent, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported.
Continue ReadingReport: Cheng Shin, Kenda earnings to grow fast in 1Q 2012
Taiwan-based tyre makers including Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co. and Kenda Rubber Industrial Co., are expected to see substantial growth in earnings in the first quarter of 2012 due to declines in raw material prices, particularly natural rubber. Furthermore, according to Taiwan Economic News, the European sovereign debt crisis means tyre manufacturers have slashed inventories to get rid of the risk in the prices of stocked goods.
Continue ReadingEuro-zone debt crisis hitting trailer market
The uncertain economic outlook in Europe looks set to hit sales of heavy trailers in 2012. Demand for new trailers is now forecast to fall below the level of 2011, according to some market analysts. As a consequence the sales figure for 2012 will be 10,000 trailers less than was forecast in May this year.
Continue ReadingETRMA ‘surprised’ by TWG speech
Following the publication of Tyres & Accessories’ report on the recent NTDA Tyre Wholesalers Group annual lunch, ETRMA secretary general Fazilet Cinaralp has written an open letter stating her association’s surprise at the issues raised in TWG chairman Ashley Croft’s keynote speech. During the speech, Croft referred to testing, lobbying and the relative importance of the implementation of current tread depth legislation. As our coverage explains, no-one was available to attend the event on behalf of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers association, so here is the association’s response in full:
Continue ReadingMESNAC buys Wyko Tire Technology
Qingdao, China based tyre manufacturing equipment maker MESNAC Co. has taken a 100 per cent equity position in US firm Wyko Tire Technology. In its relatively short history MESNAC has rapidly grown to the number four position in its field and speaking to Tyres & Accessories in China at the end of November, company executives hinted that the next phase of growth would be both outside its native China and would include acquisitions such as the latest Wyko purchase. MESNAC has indicated it will retain the Wyko brand and continue to provide normal service and support to customers, with no disruption in business.
Continue ReadingEuropean Commission publishes updated labelling regulation
Just under a year before its mandatory introduction, the European Commission has published its second regulation (1235/2011) paving the way for the implementation of tyre labelling requirements. Regulation 1222/2009 introduces labelling requirements detailing the display of information on fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise of tyres. According to the ETRMA, which has been involved in consultation on the legislation, the regulation aims to “increase the safety and the environmental and economic efficiency of road transport by promoting fuel-efficient and safe tyres with low noise levels.”
Continue ReadingWholesalers Group chair outlines concerns with ETRMA
The ears of the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association must have been rather warm as Ashley Croft, chairman of the Tyre Wholesalers Group of the NTDA, gave his speech at the group's annual lunch. Around 75 people – customers and suppliers – attended the event on 22 November at the National Motorcycle Museum and, as well as lunch, there was plenty of food for thought, particularly for manufacturers of premium brands.
Continue ReadingApollo Tyres South Africa settles price fixing case
South Africa’s Competition Commission has settled its price fixing case with Apollo Tyres South Africa. Under the terms of the deal struck between the tyre maker and the government body, Apollo will pay a 45 million rand (£3.5 million) fine and admit to its prior participation in the tyre manufacturers’ pricing cartel that also allegedly included the South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (Pty) Ltd (SATMC), Goodyear South Africa, Continental Tyre South Africa and Bridgestone South Africa. The penalty Apollo Tyres South Africa is required to pay represents 4.75 per cent of its total 2008 turnover.
Continue ReadingPCL acquired by Horn Tecalemit
The management of Pneumatic Components Limited, or PCL, reports that Germany’s HORN GmbH & Co.KG (Horn Tecalemit) has acquired all shares in the Sheffield-based business for an undisclosed sum. This deal took effect on 1 October 2011 and although the two companies will continue to trade independently, PCL and Horn Tecalemit say the acquisition will give both firms “access to a wider range of complementary products” and benefit customers, suppliers and company employees.
Continue ReadingFiege extends Bridgestone European Logistics
German company the Fiege Group, who handles logistics for Bridgestone in several European countries, reports it has begun supplying the Swiss market via cross-border distribution from its facility in Lahr, in southwest Germany. The assumption of Swiss distribution logistics has transformed the Fiege facility in Lahr from a national distribution warehouse into an internationally-operating distribution centre, the company adds. In co-operation with Bridgestone and the respective national customs authorities, Fiege says it has come up with a distribution solution than enables the daily supply of tyres within a standard transit time of 24 hours, as well as the organisation of the entire customs clearance for the transport of the goods from Germany to Switzerland.
Continue ReadingMitas aims for greater prominence after UK name change
Mitas is aiming to raise the profile of the company and better communicate the strength of its products and recent sales performance in the market following the official rebranding of the UK company as Mitas Tyres Limited. With an impressive number of OE contracts under its belt, Mitas is aiming to grow market share in both the OE and replacement markets and solidify its position as “the UK’s leading off-road tyre specialist”, according to the company. And despite the fact that company is well-known for producing Continental branded agricultural tyres under licence, as you might imagine, a key part of this strategy is to highlight the Mitas name in the UK and beyond.
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