Stalking horse – ATD enters asset purchase agreement with lender group
American Tire Distributors, Inc. (ATD) announced on 27 November that it has made a preliminary agreement to sell its assets to a buyer backed by some of its major lenders. Specifically, the company has entered into a ‘stalking horse’ asset purchase agreement (APA). The lenders supporting the buyer entity include investment groups and funds managed by companies like Guggenheim Partners, KKR, Monarch Alternative Capital, Sculptor Capital, and Silver Point Capital. In a statement announcing the transaction, ATD collectively refers to these lenders as the ‘Ad Hoc Lender Group’.
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Guizhou Tire commences 3rd phase of Vietnam factory project
On 25 November, Guizhou Tire held a ceremony to mark the start of work on the third construction phase of its Advance Tyre (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. plant. Local government officials attended the ceremony together with counterparts from China and company management. When complete, the expansion will add 6 million semi-steel radial tyres to the plant’s annual production capacity.
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Auf Wiedersehen, non-PET
Continental is increasing the proportion of recycled materials in its tyres by converting more of its manufacturing facilities to use polyester fabric made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. This increases the recycled content of many tyre lines by an average of three per cent. After presenting this ContiRe.Tex technology for the first time at the end of 2021, the company began using it on a small scale at its tyre plants in Lousado, Portugal, and Otrokovice, Czech Republic the following year. It recently extended this to plants in Korbach, Germany, and Sarreguemines, France, which both now use recycled PET bottles in series production.
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New all-terrain tyre – Petlas Peaklander A/T
With the new Petlas Peaklander A/T, Petlas Tire Corporation has launched an all-terrain tyre that it designed to “deliver balanced performance on and off the road” as well as “exceptional durability, comfort, and safety for drivers who demand versatility in every journey.” Peaklander A/T is available in three sizes, LT265/70 R16, LT265/70 R17, and LT265/60 R18.
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Goodyear partners with Krone Trailer for TPMS integration
Thanks to a new collaboration between Goodyear and Krone Trailer, fleet managers are now able to seamlessly integrate their Krone trailer fleets with the plug-and-play Goodyear TPMS Connect system without the need for additional hardware installation. With this integration, European fleet customers will be able to access all the benefits of Goodyear TPMS without the need for new hardware installations, ensuring they are equipped with Goodyear’s latest tyre monitoring technology from the start.
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Nexen Tire names John Bosco Kim CEO
Nexen Tire has announced the promotion of five executives, including that of John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim as Chief Executive Officer. He has taken on this position as of 1 December 2024 and serves within the team led by Travis Kang, who will continue in his role as Global CEO and Vice Chairman. Announcing these appointments, the company says it has “selected next-generation leaders who have achieved demonstrated success in key business areas such as sales, production, and research and development.”
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Yokohama ATG demonstrates agri tyre technology in Merseyside field demo day
Yokohama-ATG took its agricultural tyre technology on the road in the UK at the end of October, on Merseyside farmer, blogger and Alliance influencer, Olly Harrison’s fields. Hosting farmers from across the UK as well as Alliance distributor Kirkby Tyres, the day gave the manufacturer’s European technical team the opportunity to demonstrate live the technological benefits of the Alliance branded agricultural tyre range.
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Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport tyres OE on new Kawasaki Ninja
Bridgestone Corporation will supply Battlax Hypersport S23 tyres as original equipment for the new Ninja 1100SX made by Kawasaki Motors, Ltd.
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Hankook launches new AI-enhanced Ventus evo ultra-high performance tyre
The fourth generation in the Hankook Ventus evo range of ultra-high performance tyres harnesses an Artificial Intelligence-enabled mixing process to “overcome traditional trade-offs”. Announcing the new product, simply known as the Hankook Ventus evo but carrying the new product number K137, Hankook said the tyre “combines outstanding wet grip with impressively low rolling resistance and high mileage.” Longevity, Hankook says, has been boosted by a whopping 32 per cent. The manufacturer also called the new Ventus evo’s development “a perfect example of AI-assisted development,” increasing its flexibility to all summer road conditions with a six per cent boost in dry braking in addition to better performance in the wet. By the end of 2025, Hankook says the new Ventus evo range – including the Ventus evo SUV – will be available in 94 sizes for a particularly wide range of vehicles.
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Pit-Stop: HUK-Coburg increases stake in German tyre retailer
In Germany, our sister title Reifenpresse.de is reporting that, subject to the approval of the antitrust authorities, HUK-Coburg Mobilitätsholding GmbH – a subsidiary of insurer HUK-Coburg – will acquire a majority stake in the Pit-Stop workshop chain on 2 January 2025.
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People, profit & planet – Michelin talks manufacturing in Western Europe
Several weeks ago, prior to visiting the Michelin plant in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, I witnessed the partial demolition of what until recently was one of the country’s most modern and efficient power plants. Capable of satisfying almost the entire electricity requirements of neighbouring Hamburg yet decommissioned after less than seven years in what the local Environment Minster called a “symbolic” gesture, the blasting of the 3-billion-euro plant’s chimneys delivered a depressing reminder of the challenges that tyre makers and other manufacturers face in Western Europe. Perhaps the Michelin team could restore some lost optimism.
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All-season a growth segment for the van tyre market – GfK data
Figures from the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) show that the market for new vans is relatively buoyant in 2024. In the UK, light commercial vehicle registrations have consistently trended upwards, with October figures registering a 3.5 per cent year-on-year increase versus 2023 over the first 10 months of the year – a figure that increases to 4.7 per cent if we remove the marginal Pickup and 4x4 categories, which are the only light commercial segments to contract in this period. This growth in new vans on UK roads has been steadier than in 2021, when pent-up demand after the pandemic played a role before 2022 saw the market fall back within touching distance of the nadir of pandemic sales. The healthy outlook in 2024 is to some extent undermined by both the stalling electrification of the UK van parc (see textbox for more) and more rapid growth achieved in some continental European markets.
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Kumho strengthens van, truck tyre ranges for UK
With an extensive range of tyres designed to enhance performance and reliability across various driving conditions, Kumho Tyre UK tells Tyres & Accessories that the brand is “making significant strides in the commercial vehicle sectors.” Its PorTran range has been tailored for commercial vans operating in a variety of conditions, while the brand is enhancing its stock position in heavier commercial truck tyres.
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Time to benefit from the flexibility of an all-season van tyre – Davanti
Davanti Tyres launched the Vantoura 4-Seasons in the middle of 2022, subsequently extending the range of its first dedicated on-road, all-season product as it increased in popularity. The all-season van tyre segment is growing in the UK, with businesses looking to harness the benefits of reduced downtime and improved efficiency. For fleet managers operating in the highly competitive last-mile delivery sector, Davanti says 2025 could be the year to capitalise on the benefits of an all-season tyre. The UK-owned brand says the tyre has become “a popular and safe choice for light commercial vehicle users,” explaining the benefits to van operators of fitting an all-season tyre.
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GT Radial Maxmiler range tailored to suit growing UK van tyre market – Micheldever Tyre Services
Giti Tire’s GT Radial brand continues to develop its Maxmiler van tyre range, according to exclusive distributor Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS). It adds that new additions are due to arrive in 2025 to “ensure the range remains relevant and future-proof.” Tyres & Accessories asked MTS about how it is currently viewing the UK van tyre market, and for its tips on best practice for keeping light commercials moving.
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