Michelin unveils aircraft tyre plan & welcomes new activities in Bourges
The Bourges site in France is Michelin’s only aviation tyre plant in Europe, and the company reports that production has grown significantly over the past two years, leading to certain organisational issues as well as the need to recruit and train almost 240 permanent employees in 2022 and 2023. Michelin launched a collaborative project to deal with these challenges, and various stakeholders have come up with a five-year plan to ensure the Bourges plant performs better. The site is also expanding its activities to include Michelin Inflatable Solutions.
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Birla Carbon adopts Blue Yonder supply chain solution
Carbon black supplier, Birla Carbon has implemented Blue Yonders Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) digital technology. According to the company, the Blue Yonder solution was deployed at Birla Carbon through 2023, “revolutionizing key S&OP processes, including demand and supply planning in a dynamic world”. Birla Carbon engaged Ernst & Young, India (EY) as a transformation partner during the process.
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Pirelli forms $550 million Saudi Arabia tyre manufacturing joint venture
The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Pirelli Tyre S.P.A signed a joint venture (JV) agreement to build a tyre factory in Saudi Arabia. PIF will hold a 75 per cent stake in the JV with Pirelli holding the remaining 25 per cent and acting as “a strategic technology partner” offering both “technical and commercial assistance”. The plant is expected to start production in 2026.
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Good Design Award for Kumho PorTran 4S CX11
Kumho Tire has gained the Good Design Award (Japan) 2023 for its PorTran 4S CX11, a van and light commercial vehicle tyre specifically designed to accommodate the road and climate conditions of Europe and take advantage of growing demand for all-season tyres within the region. The Kumho tyre is currently on display at the Good Design Exhibition 2023, which is taking place in Tokyo until 29 October.
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Hankook’s Hungary tyre plant gains ISCC PLUS Certification
Hankook has attained ISCC PLUS certification (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) for its European production plant in Rácalmás (Hungary). According to the company, this is testament to the Hankook’s “unyielding commitment to sustainability, innovation, and environmental responsibility”. The tyre manufacturer reportedly plans to further intensify its activities in the area of long-term carbon neutrality and resource conservation by using sustainable raw materials, for example, in the iON tyre family designed for electric vehicles.
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GRI CEO addresses “Sustainability in Tires” conference
GRI CEO, Dr Mahesha Ranasoma, was addressed delegates at the Smithers conference on Sustainability in Tires in Shanghai, China. Dr Ranasoma delivered a presentation entitled The Green Revolution of the Tire Industry: A Deep Dive into ESG Integration, drawing the attention of industry leaders in attendance. He highlighted GRIs role in developing sustainable Specialty Tires and green practices, emphasizing the companys commitment to advancing environmentally conscious solutions.
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Sentury Morocco factory starts construction, annual tyre production capacity increased by 6 million
On 21 October, Sentury said it had officially started constructing its tyre factory in Morocco. On 25 October, the tyremaker said it would add $193 million to its Morocco plant for 6 million semi-radial tyre production capacity. Sentury classified the additional investment as the second phase of the Moroccan tyre factory project. In other words, the total investment in Sentury’s Morocco factory has become US$490 million. After both projects are put into production, it will be able to produce 12 million semi-steel radial tyres annually.
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Long March Pakistan factory begins Phase 2 construction
Tyrepress China has learned that the second phase of the Pakistan tyre factory Service Long March (SLM) will be completed and put into production before the end of 2024. The factory is a joint venture between Chaoyang Long March and Pakistan-based Service Industries Limited. Information shows that the total investment in the SLM factory is US$250 million, with Chaoyang Long March accounting for 44 per cent.
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Moveero doubles Estherville large wheel production within wider growth plans
moveero runs two manufacturing plants in Europe and four in the US, backed by “market-leading plants at Armstrong and Estherville in Iowa and at Wichita, as well as a Research, Development and Testing Center at Woodridge”. Around 18 months ago, the company went through a period of “quite dramatic and rapid change”. Along with a new business name, moveero also introduced a new mission and vision, all of which marked the start of a new chapter in its evolution. Now, work is underway on a new, fully automated weld cell at the company’s Estherville wheel plant, as a result of which, the company will double its production capacity of large wheels, up to 50” diameter for the agriculture sector.
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Nexen Tire extends USA sports advertising
An extension to Nexen Tire’s sports advertising in the USA commences today. Visitors to NBA games will see the Nexen Tire logo courtside and on television from 24 October, and this will be followed by brand placement at the NCAA from November 2023 and with a selection of MLB teams from March 2024.
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Michelin in Germany – up to 1,500 jobs affected
Workers union the IGBCE has responded to Michelin’s “downsizing plans” in Germany – and as expected it isn’t thrilled. Matthias Hille, head of the union’s activities in the Mainz region and a member of the Michelin Deutschland Supervisory Board, comments that IGBCE “cannot at all comprehend the proposed cutbacks” and promises that these will “meet with our resistance.”
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KraussMaffei completes renewal of production footprint
With the opening of its new headquarters, KraussMaffei has completed the last and largest of four relocation projects. Since 2018, the company – whose production portfolio includes tyre production systems and extruders – has invested approximately 200 million euros in four new plants in Germany and China.
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USA growth – TVS Srichakra acquiring off-highway specialist Super Grip
TVS Srichakra Ltd. intends to expand its commercial activities in the USA and will drive growth in this market by acquiring the business of Super Grip Corporation. A legal entity for this purpose, SG Acquisition Corporation, was registered in the state of Michigan on 5 September 2023, and the Indian tyre maker’s Board of Directors authorised an overseas direct investment of US$10 million on 20 October 2023.
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China’s tyre export data fell month-on-month in September
In September 2023, China’s tyre export data increased significantly year-on-year. However, as in the previous year, the absolute volume of exports fell back after experiencing a peak in July and August. Nevertheless, the decline in data in September this year was smaller than last year.
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UK tyre dealers visit Ascenso tyre factory in India
UK distributor for Ascenso Tyres, BAB Distribution – part of the Bush Tyres group – recently took key Ascenso dealer partners North Devon Tyres and Redpath Tyres to India to visit the Ascenso factory and offices in Bharuch and Mumbai.
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