Yokohama Rubber to Participate in Aircraft Interiors Expo 2005
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., will participate in the three-day Aircraft Interiors Expo 2005, which starts today at the Hamburg International Exhibition and Conference centre. The annual event is the world’s largest for aircraft interiors. The company will exhibit its lavatory modules and water tanks in its first appearance at the exposition.
Continue ReadingDLG Tests Goodyear Agri Tyres
The German Agricultural Society Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft (DLG) has road tested two Goodyear farm tyres, the super wide Optitrac DT818 and the super volume Optitrac DT830 concluding that at speeds of up to 50 km/h, both tyres were “as comfortable as driving a passenger car.”
Continue ReadingScotland’s Tyres give ‘Cause for Concern’
The number of worn and defective tyres on Scotland’s roads is still a cause for concern, says the Tyre Industry Council (TIC). Analysis from last year’s tyre checks has indicated that the number of badly worn tyres, having a tread depth at or below 2mm, is 17 per cent. Roadside tyre checks carried out by Strathclyde Police late last year showed that 9.6 per cent of cars and light vans had one or more tyres below the legal limit.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Increases Chinese Sourcing to $800 million
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co, will increase buying in China to a tenth of its global sourcing by 2010 from just 1 per cent now. That could boost sourcing in China to about $800 million within the next five years, chief executive Robert Keegan told Reuters, as the firm, which carries a heavy debt load, strives to lower costs. “We purchase about $8 billion of both raw materials and other products and services...10 per cent would be $800 million, so its a considerable increase for us,” Mr Keegan said. The American firm is racing against rivals Michelin and Bridgestone Corp to supply China’s $6 billion tyre market, which state media has said is half controlled by foreign companies and grew about 30 per cent to some 239 million units in 2004. Keegan said the firm would invest $120 million to double the capacity of its factory in the northern port city of Dalian to 5.3 million tyres annually. The expansion is expected to be completed by early 2007, he said.
Continue ReadingCustomers Help Design New Delphi Catalogue
Delphi has announced details of its latest friction catalogue. The 2005/6 guide was designed in conjunction with customers and features am improved new-to-range section and buyers guide, better application detail, more European languages and, for the first time, the use of product symbols. “We’re always seeking constructive feedback from our customers and using this to fine tune our service offering,” said Lesley Culpan, European marketing manager - braking. “As a direct result of this approach, this latest catalogue is smaller but still contains plenty of handy diagrams to ensure our customers spend less time looking for the right parts and more time serving their customers.” Other significant improvements include the use of OE numbers and thumbnail drawings in the new-to-range section, together with an improved buyers guide. “Because this catalogue is used across Europe we’re really conscious of the potential language barriers that can arise,” continued Mr Culpan. “The use of symbols against products is a first for us but specifically designed to save time when identifying parts, whatever the language.”
Continue ReadingBridgestone Officially Opens Chinese Plant
Bridgestone has officially opened its Chinese Jiangsu Province facility that produces rubber anti-vibration components for automobiles in China. The plant is in the city of Changzhou, about 160 kilometres west of Shanghai. Present at the ceremony were representatives from the Chinese government and municipal officials, as well as from Bridgestone. Tatsuya Okajima, a Bridgestone board member responsible for original equipment, and Hiromichi Odagiri a vice president and senior officer who serves as chief representative of Bridgestone tyre operations in China attended the event.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster Wins £1 Million Contract
ATS Euromaster has made a tyre management service contract worth approximately £1 million with Days Contract Hire. The 8000 strong fleet of cars and LCVs will be supported by ATS Euromaster’s “Euromaster Car” online authorisation system, and a mobile fitting service. “We considered various types of tyre fast fit companies and decided to go with ATS Euromaster because they offered a competitive price and because their tyre expenditure would be managed more efficiently from headquarters in Aston, through their central invoicing system,” commented Aled Williams, general manager at Days Contract Hire.
Continue ReadingToyo Fund Supports Overseas Projects
The Toyo Environmental Protection Fund has decided to expand its giving to not-for-profit orgnisations beyond Japan. Coinciding with the 60th anniversary year of Toyo Tire & Rubbers foundation, this move demonstrates the collective commitment of the Toyo Group to playing a public service role commensurate with its growing presence in the world.
Continue ReadingPrivate Venture Capital Company Acquires Credential
Credential Environmental Limited, one of the UK’s leading automotive waste collector/reprocessors, has been acquired by private venture capital company Ailsa3 Ventures. The Leeds based investment company has taken a 76 per cent stake in Credential, with management retaining the balance of the equity. Nigel Taunt, managing director of Impax Capital structured the deal.
Continue ReadingTyre Disposal Company Fined
Two waste management companies have been fined a total of £140,000 at the Old Bailey. The fine followed a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation into an incident where an employee, Mr Thomas Akwasi Aseidu-Ampofoh was crushed to death under a telescopic reach truck.
Continue ReadingMaywood Launches New Catalogue
Maywood Equipment Group is due to launch the latest edition of its price list on 1 May. The new catalogue covers more than 50 different models including the Europa range of two and four post lifts, as well as scissor lifts. A number of OMER brand scissor lifts will be introduced in the updated brochure.
Continue ReadingTen Thousand Hours and Still Going
Firestone is beaming about the quality of its R7000 tyre after a recent visit to Suffolk farmer Ray Smith. Mr Smith made an enquiry about some new front tyres for his New Holland 8560 as the tread was low. Upon investigating the tyres, Terry Brown, Firestone area sales manager, found that the tyres were 11 years old. It was estimated that the tractor completed about 1000 hours a year, of which 40 per cent was roadwork.
Continue ReadingViking Appoints New Business Development Manager
Viking International has announced the appointment of Phillip Dingley as business development manager for the Central Area. Mr Dingley has over 30 years worth of experience within the tyre industry and joins the company after spending 18 years with ATS Euromaster. During this time he became regional operations manager and area sales and service manager. For Viking, he will be working from the Desborough warehouse and will be responsible for creating new business and developing sales in existing business. Commenting on his appointment, Phillip Dingley said: “As business development manager for the Central Region, it will be my job to ensure the continued growth and development in that area. It’s a big responsibility, but this is one of the main reasons why I was attracted to the position in the first place. I’m relishing the challenge in front of me.”
Continue ReadingNo Control Tyre in F1
The FIA World Motor Sport Council has released an official statement confirming that there will be no rule changes in Formula 1 until 2008, according to Adrivo Sportpresse. A control tyre will not be introduced in F1 before the end of 2007 stated the press release. Bridgestone received the news well, commenting that the absence of a control tyre keeps healthy competition thriving between the tyre manufacturers.
Continue ReadingMichelin’s Commercial JV in India
Michelin-Apollo Tyres (MATL) has entered a joint venture with Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, India’s two biggest commercial vehicle makers, in a bid to sell radial tyres. The $85 million venture, to manufacture truck and bus radial tyres will commence by June 2006, reports BS Online, adding that the Pune plant will reach a capacity of 350,000 units by 2009-10.
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