Will Bridgestone and USWA Resolve Differences?
(Akron/Tire Review) Even after reports that negotiators had to take a break to accommodate the upcoming NCAA men’s basketball championships in St. Louis and the United Steelworkers of America’s (USWA) April national convention in Las Vegas, there remain concerns on whether the USWA and Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) can resolve their apparently deep differences and reach agreement on a new master contract.
Continue ReadingEuropean Replacement Market Weak
The first two months of this year were disappointing for all tyre manufacturers present in Europe. The European replacement market volume for passenger car tyres dropped six per cent and nine per cent for truck tyres. In comparison the Americans performed better. The replacement market grew three per cent for passenger car tyres and10 per cent for truck tyres.
Continue ReadingKmart Exec Joins ArvinMeritor
(Akron/Tire Review) Former Kmart executive James Donlon has been named senior vice president and CFO of ArvinMeritor, effective 1 April. Mr Donlon served as senior vice president and CFO at Kmart. In this new position, Mr Donlon will drive ArvinMeritors financial performance, as well as provide comprehensive financial direction and guidance to the corporation.
Continue ReadingGlobal Off-Road Shortage
(Australia/Tyre Review) There is no immediate end in sight to the global off-road tyre shortage, according to a recent report from Australia, and most tyremakers in Australia say things will remain tight for at least another year – perhaps longer. According to the news report, the causes of the shortfall include the Chinese economy, which is taking large numbers of OTR tyres directly, heavy Chinese demand for raw materials which has increased demand for rubber-tyred mining equipment, worldwide rubber shortages, and a lack of investment in expanding tyre production.
Continue ReadingRingtread Extends to 70 Series
Marangoni Tread has added five 70 series tread designs to its range of Ringtread precured tread rings. The launch reflects “continuing and rapid growth in the importance of 70 series fitments across Western Europe,” says Marangoni, adding that the segment now accounts for 5.9 per cent of 22.5 inch tyre sales across the region.
Continue ReadingCelebrity Wheels
Well known celeb Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs has put his name to a new line of aluminium wheels. His partnership with American company, Weld Wheels, will produce a line of Sean John-branded custom one- and three-piece precision-forged aluminium wheels for the sport truck, luxury SUV and high-end American and German luxury car markets. The custom designed wheels made their world debut at the Greater New York Auto Show last week.
Continue ReadingNTDA Spring Conference Takes Shape
Plans are already well advanced for the NTDA’s spring conference, which is being staged alongside Brityrex in May. It will be the first time that the NTDA has organised an interim event between its major conferences and the occasion will serve as an opportunity to update its members. John Tarbox, chairman of the organising committee, commented: “We felt very strongly that so much came out of our Marbella event we should provide an opportunity to update the industry on the different projects which came to the fore at that conference and also give those members, who did not attend in Spain, an opportunity to add their voices to the ideas already put down – and also add a few more.”
Continue Reading2006 Jeep Commands Goodyears
The 2006 Jeep Commander will be rolling out on Goodyear Fortera tyres when it hits North American dealer showrooms later this year, reports the tyre manufacturer. The first Jeep with three rows of seats, the vehicle is positioned as a seven-passenger 4x4 that is “Jeep Trail-Rated.” Off-road capability and on-road refinement were requirements of the new vehicle, explains the tyre manufacturer adding, “the tyres had to match the package.” Goodyear Fortera tyres are designed to offer a high-performance tread compound that delivers improved traction in wet and dry conditions. The computer-optimised tread pattern also promotes a quiet ride. The tyre size selected for the Jeep Commander is P245/65R17.
Continue ReadingWheels With Teeth
Overfinch, the company that brought us the performance Range Rover 30 years ago, has now released a 22 inch alloy, which it simple calls “Tiger.” The alloy wheel, is claimed to be “the largest made in the UK to date,” according to the companies involved. The 22 x 9 inch product has a 12 spoke design, uses a stainless steel rim and features the correct steering offset for the Range Rover. As a result, Overfinch says that this means there is no increase in turning circle or fouling on suspension or bodywork. The new wheel was engineered specifically for third generation Range Rovers and employs OE ‘shoulder’ nuts as “the only safe method of anchoring wheels to a 2700 kilogram vehicle.” The design has been tested in Europe by the respected TUV centre and was produced and developed in conjunction with Rimstock plc, a company that supplies Aston Martin, MG Rover, Lotus, Morgan, VAG and Mitsubishi.
Continue ReadingTRA Rejects Calls to Delay Landfill Ban
The Tyre Recovery Association has expressed disappointment at possible delays to the July 2006 deadline for taking shredded tyres to landfill, a recycling website has reported.
Continue ReadingMichelin Dispute Resolved
Workers at Michelin’s Stoke-on-Trent remix factory have voted to end industrial action. Members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) had been refusing to work overtime for the past two weeks. Workers voted to accept the manufacturers revised deal “under protest,” T&G convenor Robert Taylor is reported as saying. There will now be a £650 unconsolidated pay rise for 2005 with potentially £350 in performance-related pay and a minimum of a two per cent increase next year, he said. Managers at Michelin are said to be “pleased the pay situation has been resolved.”
Continue ReadingHankook Brand “Most Powerful”
(Akron/Tire Review) Hankook Tire Co.’s Optimo passenger tyre line made the list of South Korea’s “most powerful brands,” as determined by the Korea Management Association. According to a report by Chosun.com, the KMA surveyed the brand power of 2,576 brands in 164 industries to develop its list.
Continue ReadingToyo Equipped Cayenne Breaks Record
(Akron/Tire Review) A Toyo Proxes S/T equipped Sportec Cayenne Turbo SP600M broke the Fastest SUV in the World title by lapping the Automotive Testing Papenburg oval test track in Germany at a top speed of 191.65 mph. The test was held 10 March, according to Toyo officials. Driven by Sportecs Andreas Hodel, the new mark shattered the previous record of 175 mph set in 2003 by a Kleenman ML55K also running on Toyos Proxes S/T tyres. ”We are very proud of this record set through a collaborative effort between Toyo and Sportec, said Travis Roffler, Toyo Tire (USA) Corp.’s senior director of marketing. “The fact that another world class tuner selected the Proxes S/T to break such a prestigious record demonstrates their continued confidence in the engineering excellence and overall quality of Toyo products.”
Continue ReadingCooper/USWA Injunction Postponed
(Akron/Tire Review) According to a United Steelworkers of America (USWA) website, the union and Cooper Tire & Rubber have “agreed to postpone” an injunction hearing that was scheduled to be held yesterday. No further details were given.
Continue ReadingBFNAT and Bandag Continue Cooperation
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) and truck leasing giant Ryder System Inc have extended their agreement in which BFNAT supplies new medium truck radials to Ryder and Bandag Inc provides retreading services. The agreement began in 1990, according to BFNAT.
Continue Reading