Michelin Puts Up the For Sale Sign in Nigeria
On March 21 Michelin invited prospective investors to submit expressions of interest in its soon to be closed factory in Nigeria. The company released a notice stating that the company “wishes to invite expressions of interest for the purchase of all or part of the Michelin factory in Port Harcourt, and specified that applicants could be either local or international businesses capable of demonstrating a proven track record in project development, strong financial capabilities and technical expertise in their field. The closing date for bids is March 30, and Michelin has said that suitable applicants will be invited to attend a detailed presentation of the factory and related assets.
Continue ReadingWatts Tyres Establishes Joint Venture with Bulgarian Partner
Gloucestershire based Watts Tyres has entered into a joint venture agreement with Bulgarian rim and wheel manufacturer Balkancar Zarya. The two firms have established the joint venture company “Watts Zarya Limited,” which will concentrate on providing industrial wheel and tyre products to the materials handling OEM market via a just-in-time delivery system. According to Jean-Paul Mindermann, chief executive for Watts Tyres Plc, “the new joint venture is a cornerstone of our strategy to be the leading wheel and tyre provider to the materials handling industry.” He added “Balkancar Zarya is an excellent partner with high quality wheels to complement our tyres and existing wheel business. With Bulgaria recently joining the EU, the timing and location is perfect to offer OEM’s the high quality and competitive solution that they are searching for.“
Continue Reading‘Pathological Tyre Hater’ on the Loose
According to the website Austrian News, a ‘pathological tyre hater is creating mischief in the federal state of Upper Austria. The website claims that an unknown person may have a strong aversion to car tyres. Last night more than a hundred tyres were slashed and destroyed, the third time this has occurred. Even a police car was amongst those to incur the tyre hater’s wrath. Police in the town of Vöcklabruck are optimistic about catching the culprit sooner or later, as the. loud hiss of the destroyed tyres will lead them to the tyre defiler.
Continue ReadingMore Women Wanted!
Automotive Skills has won a major bid for a Women & Work project for the UK retail motor industry – part of a wider funded Women & Work Sector Pathways Initiative. The £10 million initiative is designed to encourage women to consider careers in traditionally male-dominated professions. With an average of less than 20 per cent of the motor industry workforce made up by women, one of the key challenges facing the sector is how to attract a more diverse workforce which can contribute to increased productivity and performance and develop new ideas and improved methods of working.
Continue ReadingSixth Consecutive Record Year For B-Quik
2006 was the 6th consecutive record year for B-Quik, the Thailand-based tyre and car services retailer. The company serviced 250,000 customers through its total of 45 centres, of which three were new stores opened during 2006.
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Asymmetric Tread, Asymmetric Casing: The technology inside the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 tyre
Goodyear has launched a new tyre designed to replace the much vaunted Eagle F1 GSD3, which scored top marks in almost every test going - including Auto Express, Autocar, Max Power, Evo and Which? But while the old tyre’s symmetrical tread design was key to the product’s success, Goodyear is expecting the new product to succeed exactly because it isn’t. In addition to an asymmetrical tread design, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric features an asymmetric casing construction designed to reinforce one side and squeeze more grip from the tyre. Goodyear representatives told Tyres & Accessories they were gearing up for more award success following the introduction of the ‘Active Cornergrip Technology’ into the design of its latest tyre.
Continue ReadingReasons Behind Nigeria Pullout – Michelin
Michelin has given more details of their decision to quit tyre production in Nigeria. At a press briefing the Corporate Affairs manager for Michelin Nigeria Limited, Ojo-Osagie, passed on details of the factors contributing to the decision and the measures the company plans to undertake in the coming months.
Continue ReadingMichelin to Close Nigerian Factory
Michelin has announced that it is ceasing tyre production at its factory in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The tyremaker informed the Nigerian government of its decision on January 16 and, according to Michelin, both parties have agreed to work together to find a buyer.
Continue ReadingTrayal Sold to a Bulgarian Power Supplier
Serbia’s second largest tyre manufacturer, Trayal Corp., is soon to be sold and therefore privatised. According to reports, the privatisation agency in Serbia has announced a public tender to bid for the traditional state-owned company. The Bulgarian power supplier Brikel EAD has now made the highest offer and will soon start to negotiate the details of the deal with the agency, local media sources wrote. The bid was £8.2 million for a majority share plus modernisation investments of up to £16.9 million.
Continue Reading1012 bhp Bristol Fighter-T Runs on Michelin Tyres
Kensington-based luxury carmaker, Bristol, has announced that it has produced a record braking variation of its Bristol Fighter model. Seen as something of a Bugati (Veyron) beater, the Fighter T’s twin turbocharged and intercooled 8-litre V10 engine is capable of producing 1012 bhp and a top speed of 270 mph, which has been electronically limited to 225 mph.
Continue ReadingGoodtyre Presses Forward Into Europe
Although the domestic Chinese tyre market is growing at an enormous rate, export markets are also offering an ever more tempting business opportunity for tyre manufacturers from China. In light of major production over-capacities in particular in the PC tyre segment European and American tyre markets almost assure profitable and relatively easy growth perspectives to Chinese tyre companies. The Yinbao Tyre Group for example is one company that is currently adjusting its own growth strategy towards a more international standing. The company is based in the city of Shouguang in Shandong province. Export manager Sino He explains that the company, which was founded in 1994 has sold its truck, OTR and industrial tyres on the domestic market until very recently. It is offering the tyre brands Goodtyre, Yinbao and Huibao.
Continue ReadingLassa, Brisa, Bridgestone and Sabanci – tyres from Turkey to the world
With unit sales of 7.06 million expected for 2006, a domestic replacement market share of 26 per cent and thriving export sales, no wonder Lassa producer Brisa is expanding its manufacturing and warehousing headquarters. As Brisa (Bridgestone Sabanci Tyre Manufacturing and Trading Inc) continues the $176 million production expansion programme it started at its Izmit plant in Turkey in 2004, Tyres & Accessories went to see how the plans are developing and visit some of the company’s retail outlets in Istanbul.
Continue ReadingGPX Expands, Buys Starbright Tyre Factory in China
Bryan Ganz, president and co-CEO of GPX adds: “Starbright significantly expands GPX’s presence in the Asian market and allows us to directly service our growing international markets”. In addition to the acquisition of Starbright, GPX is pleased to announce the hiring of Phil FitzGerald as the managing director of the Hebei Starbright factory. FitzGerald will assume the responsibility of plant modernization and refurbishment with the goal of transforming the Starbright factory into a world-class production facility focused on the manufacture of work-tyres.
Continue ReadingNorth Korean Leader Visits Automated Factory
Kim Jong Il has visited the newly built Pyongyang Taesong Tyre Factory, in Pyongyang, North Korea. The factory has a total floor space of more than 2,000 square metres and all its production processes are automated.
Continue ReadingLast Workers Leave Dunlop Factory
The last shift at Dunlop’s Washington UK plant clocked off ahead of schedule on 14 June. The Early April announcement that Dunlop would close the plant came as a “body blow,” to workers, the Sunderland Echo reported, as it followed a similar announcement at nearby Stag Furniture. Dunlop said it is continuing to work alongside Sunderland Council and One North East to help the workers find new employment through the JobCentre.
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