Marangoni begins pre-cure rubber production in Brazil
Marangoni S.p.A. has started production of precured tread rubber at Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in response to Brazils growing demand for retreads. The purpose designed, 14,000-sq.-ft. plant cost Marangoni around 13 million Euro to build and equip. Initial employment will be 60, but this should rise to 140 over time, Marangoni said. The company expects the new venture to generate sales of 6.1million Euro in the first full year of operation, rising up to 25.6 million Euro within four years.
Continue ReadingFirestone Settles Another Case In Texas
Bridgestone Firestone USA has paid an undisclosed amount of money to relatives of a woman who died after an Explorer rollover in which her son was also injured. It will be interesting to see what Ford will do. Two weeks ago it was the other way around when Ford settled a case first and Firestone agreed later to pay US$7.5 million.
Continue ReadingHalf Year Results Of Bridgestone
Turnover rose by 3.7 per cent, but the group announced a loss for the first half year of 280 million Euro. This is the result of the fatal recall and all the other costs from Bridgestone Firestone in the USA. Despite all the bad news, the management was confident that it would show a profit at the end of this year of around 80 million Euro. In the US, the group is not expecting to show a profit before the second half next year.
Continue ReadingContinental Candidate For Takeover?
HelabaTrust (the investment and research subsidiary of Landesbank Thueringen-Hessen) believes that Continental could be a candidate for a takeover. Reasons given are the enormous debts of 3.6 bn Euro and the weak level of the shares.
Continue ReadingDT818 And DT824 Complete Goodyear’s Optitrac Product Family
Only a few weeks before the start of the Agritechnica fair, Goodyear presents its brand new Optitrac DT818 and Optitrac DT824 tyres – the latest additions to the Optitrac family of agricultural tyres, to which the super volume tyre DT830, introduced at the end of last year, also belongs. The DT818 is the familys super-wide tyre, created primarily for use on todays higher horsepower tractors with large implements. According to the tyre manufacturer, the DT824 is the perfect choice for very heavy machinery including harvesters and combines. Both tyres hold a much greater volume of air than standard-width tyres, and, because they are wider, have a much larger footprint. The weight is distributed over a greater surface area, reducing the pressure at any single point and minimising soil compaction which has negative effects on the plants‘ development. The DT818 and DT824 have also been designed for optimal traction in all types of weather. They feature deeper, more powerful curved lugs for greater draw-bar pull and broad square shoulders provide extra grip. The tread area between the lugs has been specially shaped for better self-cleaning of the tyres. During the presentation of the new tyres Serge Daleiden, responsible for the farm tyre division in Europe at Goodyear, mentioned that future developments in the farm tyre sector could possibly also include the companys BioTred technology. This is not a promise, just an idea, said Daleiden.
Continue ReadingFord Considering Legal Moves Against Bridgestone
On the day when Ford is expected to announce a cut in dividend, there are press reports that the car manufacturer is contemplating legal action against Bridgestone for compensation of costs associated with the recall of tyres instigated by Ford. It is suggested that Ford has been involved in negotiations on this subject with Bridgestone in Japan, bypassing the companys US subsidiary.
Continue ReadingHanford, California Plant Closed By Pirelli
Pirelli Tyre ceased operations at its Hanford, California plant. This follows a six month notice issued to the facility in October 2000 stating that the plants cost structure was not competitive with other Pirelli plants costs. Production capacity will be transferred from Hanford to plants in Europe and South America.
Continue ReadingAgreement Ends Strike At Goodyear Chemical Plant
A 64-day strike at Goodyears chemical plant in Houston ended when union members signed an agreement. Under the agreement, some jobs will be consolidated or outsourced and wages reduced for some non-core positions. On the benefits side is an improved pension scheme, a lump sum first year wage increase and later increases linked to plant earnings. The Houston plant employs 600 and makes synthetic rubber used in the manufacture of tyres and several other products.
Continue ReadingHigher Turnover for Audi
The turnover of car manufacturer Audi increased last year to 39 billion DM (1999: 29.6 bn DM). The Italian importer Autogerma S.p.A., which distributes Volkswagen cars in Italy, is included in this figure for the first time. Worldwide, Audi sold 653,404 cars in 2000; a 2.9 per cent increase over 1999.
Continue ReadingWestminster Eyes On Tyre Manufacturing
On Thursday the 18th January , in response to a question from Mr. Peter Pike MP for Burnley, the Minister for Trade, Mr Richard Caborn announced that the Government was to commission a competitive study to examine the entire rubber industry, and especially the tyre sector. Peter Pike MP quoted cuts in tyre production in the UK (Michelin, Goodyear, Dunlop, Continental) and advised the Minister that there was concern in his constituency, Burnley, home of a Michelin plant, for the future of the Tyre industry in the UK. The Minister responded with figures showing overall tyre production standing at £1 billion, and exports at £800 million, and some 8,000 people still employed directly in the tyre manufacturing industry. He added that with electronics playing an increasing part in production we (the government) wanted to ensure the country was at the leading edge of technology, and quoted Pirellis new robotics line as evidence the UK Tyre industry has a future. Sir Sydney Chapman MP for Chipping Barnet asked whether, given the sharp decline of the Euro against Sterling should the government not have eased the tax and regulatory burden on the industry? The Ministers response was that the governments policies had been welcomed by the industry; that three of the five major tyre manufacturers were operational in the UK and that they were looking to the government to give a lead on a foresight programme to develop new technology for those industries. He added that the standing of the Euro had had little or no effect on the global re-organisation of the tyre manufacturers. In a follow-on question, Barry Sheerman MP for Huddersfield asked if the Minister thought that if a multinational closed down a UK operation, that the UK consumer should be encouraged to be discriminatory about the products he or she buys, to favour UK industries. In response the Minister stated that he did not think this to be an acceptable way forward, that the way forward was to expand the global economy in a managed way that will produce a good result for the consumer.
Continue ReadingMakeover For Kleber Dynaxer – And The Kleber Logo
Kleber is introducing its new Dynaxer DR series of tyres, in 31 different sizes, for wheels from 14 to 18 and H, V and W speed ratings. The new tyres have been developed from the previous generation Dynaxer DR 502 and 503 series of tyres, with the emphasis being placed on three core areas; the compound, the mould design and the optimisation of the tread pattern. The compound has been chosen for its properties in grip and wear and the tread pattern designed for maximum water evacuation – these features make the Dynaxer an excellent wet-weather performer. A large number of tread blocks means lower noise and lateral grooves positioned along the tread patterns flow lines allows the even dispersion of water, giving peace of mind, whatever the weather. The mould contributes to the tyres good wear rate, thanks to its ability to evenly distribute the pressures enforced. This contributes too to reduced tyre noise and ride comfort. At the same time as the new tyre is introduced, Kleber has revamped its logo. The new logo is said to reflect Klebers three core values of peace of mind, serenity and reliability and is aimed at the trade and general public alike. Although not the most famous name in tyres, Kleber claims to be Europes sixth-best-selling range and has OE contracts with such manufacturers as Audi, Renault, Peugeot and Vauxhall.
Continue ReadingAdvertising To Be Boosted By Michelin USA And Goodyear
In order to expand its approach to marketing Michelin North America is reviewing its US advertising policy and will be evaluating new agencies after a 17 year relationship with New York agency DBB. At the same time Goodyear are set to increase world-wide advertising spend by 30 per cent. The annual advertising spend for Goodyear is estimated to be $60m.
Continue ReadingCombined UK Offices For Dunlop And Goodyear
In the UK, Dunlop and Goodyear have decided to combine their administration offices to increase the effectiveness of the joint venture. The offices – and a new distribution centre – will be in Birmingham, preferably at Fort Dunlop. The Wolverhampton offices will eventually be closed, but production at Wolverhampton will not be affected. The two sales divisions will function independently, even though they will operate from the same location. The move will be completed over the next 12 months.
Continue ReadingUltra High Performance Tyres
Ultra High Performance Tyres (uhp) are not only for super sports cars nor high performance marques, but also for the top models of volume car makers. They are the biggest customers of the European uhp tyre manufacturers nowadays. From the middle of the decade, uhp OE sales begin to slacken, but aftermarket sales continue to grow. At the moment the OE sector accounts for the majority of uhp tyre sales, but this will turn around in a couple of years. Nowadays, 16 tyres are usually the smallest in the uhp market; 17 and 18 increase, 19 and 20 are still comparatively rare. 55 and 50 series aspect ratios are the usual sizes, but tyres as low as 30 series can be fitted. Looking ahead, the V speed rating looks set to explode. In W/Y/Z speed ratings, the premium tyre manufacturers dominate, but for V-rated tyres, the not-so-well-known brands can get a slice of the cake. In 1999, sales of V, W, Y and Z-rated tyres in Western Europe were in excess of 20 million units and by 2005, this will be doubled. In volume terms, Germany will be the biggest market – even today, one in three uhp tyres sold in Europe is bought by a German. But Germany is the leader only on numbers sold; when it comes to uhp tyres as a percentage of the tyre market as a whole, last year this sector accounted for 30% of the German market. The leader in percentage terms was Switzerland, with 38%.
Continue ReadingQuestionable Offer For Cooper Shares
Cooper Tire and Rubber has issued a warning about offers being made for company shares by TRC Capital Corporation. The company is trying to buy a small amount of Cooper stock at a price below market value. Investors assume the price offered is at a premium and accept, selling shares at below market value. The US Securities and Exchange Commission has been asked to review the offer for potential illegalities.
Continue Reading
