Apollo’s Kanwar Heads Exports Panel
(India/Rubber Asia) Onkar S. Kanwar, chairman of Apollo Tyres, has been named as the head of the Board of Trade working groups (WGs) set up by the Indian Commerce Ministry in order to boost exports from the country. Mr Kanwar, who is also the president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, heads the WG on “trade facilitation”. The WGs were expected to submit their reports to the Board chairman before September.
Continue ReadingUS Tyre Shipments Strong in June
US tyre shipments rose 4.2 per cent year-on-year in June, possibly boosted by pre-buying ahead of June price increases. Deutsche Bank analysts, who also calculated the figures, found that shipments for the full quarter were in line with expectations, rising 1.5 per cent compared with the second quarter of 2004. As a result of the strike early in the second quarter, the analysts expect Cooper Tire to “underperform the industry during the quarter.” In contrast the report suggests Goodyear and other tyre manufacturers outperformed the market in the same period. “We continue to expect an inflection point for Cooper Tire in the third and fourth quarters, as production and industry pricing levels continue to rise,” said the analysts.
Continue ReadingMichelin Sells US Steel Cord Operations
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) has sold its steel cord plant in Scottsburg, Indiana., to Hyosung America Inc. a subsidiary of Hyosung Corp. Terms were not disclosed, but the deal includes a 10-year, $650 million supply contract in which MNA will purchase finished steel cord for tires from Hyosung America.
Continue ReadingMichelin F1 Teams Not Guilty
The FIA senate has recommended that the World Motor Sport Council reverses the guilty verdict it imposed on seven Formula One teams following the US Grand Prix. It is anticipated that this recommendation will be put to the World Motor Sport Council by means of a fax vote in the next few days.
Continue ReadingShanghai Automotive Bids for MG Rover
The future of MG Rover is likely to be decided in the next few days after Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation re-entered the bidding in partnership with a former Ford executive. SAIC’s confirmation of a strategic collaboration with Magma, which is run by Martin Leach, a former Ford Europe boss, and Ed Sabisky, a former General Motors executive, came after the administrator (PricewaterhouseCoopers) had threatened to sign a deal with its Chinese rival, Nangjing Automobile Corporation.
Continue ReadingThe Complete Package
In tyre circles the Kleber brand is a well-known name. And in mature European markets like France and Germany, the tyre is likely to be amongst the top ten brands that dealers call on. But what about the UK and the unique challenges that this market presents? With a new product set to be released in the early part of 2006, Tyres & Accessories took the opportunity to catch up with Kleber’s UK brand manager, Dominic Clark.
Continue ReadingAsia Rubtech 2006
The Asia Rubtech Expo 2006, is expected to attract around 900 delegates including 30 from overseas. The international conference, which will be organised by the Kerala and Mumbai branches of the Indian Rubber Institute (IRI) from will run from 23 to 25 November 2006 at Hotel Le Meridien in Kochi. Click here for contact details.
Continue ReadingMaha Receives ATL Equipment Approval
Maha UK has reported that it is the first company to achieve class IV and VII GEA and VOSA approval for test equipment for Automatic Test Lanes (ATLs). The introduction of Automatic Test Lanes, (ATL) and one-man operation is due to be introduced by VOSA in September 2005.
Continue ReadingSupply Direct Gains Sole Distribution Rights
In February 2005 Supply Direct managing director, John Prout, closed an exclusive distribution deal with Chinese equipment manufacturer, Ever Eternal. Now, as a result of “mass demand” Ever Eternal exports its equipment to the UK at an accelerated rate. Supply Direct’s management team regularly visits China in order to maintain strong relations with the company’s supplier. The most recent visit was in July with product development for the UK market at the top of their agenda. With the company reporting such strong business in the UK, John Prout, hints that expansion into Europe could be the next step.
Continue ReadingLeno to Headline SEMA Banquet
(Akron/Tire Review) SEMA has announced that car junkie and “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno will perform at the 2005 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, on the 3 November, alongside the forthcoming SEMA Show. The banquet will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton Center. Leno has been a frequent SEMA Show visitor and has exhibited his own cars at the event. “SEMA has had the pleasure of displaying some of Jay’s extensive car collection in the past, now we are fortunate enough to have his extensive talent at the awards banquet,” said Mitch Williams, SEMA’s incoming chairman of the board. Tickets for general attendees will become available after 15 August on a first come, first serve basis.
Continue Reading
Cooper’s newly-enlarged tyre and vehicle test centre features enhanced 4×4 capabilities
Across the Texas prairie, in a place where the staff occasionally encounter rattle snakes, Cooper’s 1000 acre Tire and Vehicle Test Center can be found. Originally constructed in 1999, the site has recently been upgraded through the addition of 4x4 and off-road testing facilities. Tyres & Accessories travelled to San Antonio to experience Cooper’s newly enlarged test centre first hand. The most recent developments at Cooper’s Tire and Vehicle Test Center (TVTC) prove that the $13 million it originally spent on the facility was just the beginning. Now the company has 4x4 testing capabilities and it is likely that there will be further additions in due course. For now the centre’s primary work is product testing and competitor benchmarking.
Continue ReadingEagle Revspec Wins Influential Australian Tyre Test
(Australia/Australian Tyre Dealer) The Goodyear Eagle Revspec RS-02 has won the best overall performance tyre award in the annual Wheels magazine tyre test for the second year running. The 235/45R17 performance tyre joins the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 as a Wheels award winner.
Continue ReadingB&J Rocket Relocate To New Office
From the 1 August B&J Rocket Sales AG will be located in new offices. According to executive manager, A Mueller, the previous arrangements were based on a number of small single offices and therefore were not as conducive to “communication and teamwork between staff” as they might have been. That’s why the company has relocated to open plan office space. Click here to see B&J Rocket’s new contact details in our infopool.
Continue ReadingJK Tyre Plans Latin American Production
JK Tyre is looking into the possibility of expanding its bias tyre production by making strategic share acquisitions in Latin America. “The demand for tyres, both in India and the international markets, is at a high. While we are expanding our production capacities in India, we also feel the need to source tyres from other markets to feed the growing demand,” said JK Tyre VC and MD Raghupati Singhania. At the same time JK Industries’ Mysore plant rolled out its millionth truck radial, marking a milestone for the company. The one-millionth tyre was presented at a function at the former Vikrant Tyres Truck Radial Tyre Plant that was acquired by JK Industries in 1996. Speaking on the occasion, deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah said the government’s decision to divest its stake in Vikrant Tyres had been vindicated. He said the capacity of the plant had increased from 100 tonnes in 1996 to 213 tonnes a day at present.
Continue ReadingHankook to Restart Talks With Other Countries
(Akron/Tire Review) Reports out of Slovakia say that Hankook Tire Co will restart negotiations with other eastern European nations regarding its plans for a 500 million euro tyre plant. Slovakia lost its exclusive bargaining rights after cabinet ministers rejected a government aid package worth some 110 million euros. It is expected that Hankook officials will renew talks with Poland and Hungary, the two the countries the South Korean tyremaker held negotiations with before it selected Slovakia in May.
Continue Reading
