Degussa-Hüls Price Increase
The worlds number two for carbon black with plants in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, Degussa-Hüls AG, is planning a price increase for this material necessary for the tyre production. In Europe Prices will rise 22 Euro/1.000 kg starting 15th March 2000.
Continue ReadingNew Power Plant To Be Installed At Michelin UK Plant
London-PowerGen CHP Ltd is to construct a new £40million combined heat and power (CHP) plant at Michelins UK manufacturing site in Stoke-on-Trent. The building of the site is viewed by Michelin as a vote of confidence in the plant, which is at present shredding 473 jobs from its 2700 workforce. It is anticipated that the CHP plant will be operational by the end of 2001 and will meet Michelins energy requirement for at least 15 years, under a long term energy supply agreement.
Continue ReadingFulda Lay Down A Golden Challenge
Twenty sporty and adventurous minded people from ten European countries, who own driving licences, will have the chance to enter as two-man teams in the Fulda Challenge in Canada, to be held in February 2001. The ultimate prize for the winning team is a $10,000 gold nugget.
Continue ReadingManagement Changes At Pneuhage
Peter Schütterle is once again in the drivers seat at Pneuhage after the resignation of three managers. Hanshugo Sürth, Kurt Scholl and Holger Abeln left the company on 13th March. The company, one of the largest tyre retail and wholesale groups in Germany, made a loss last year. This came as a big surprise – possibly even for Schütterle, the owner of the group, who until now has not been involved in the group on a day-to-day basis.
Continue ReadingCASCAR Supplied By Goodyear
Goodyear announced that it is to be the official tyre supplier to the Canadian CASCAR Castrol Super Series, underlining the companys commitment to stock car racing. Special Eagle tyres were developed in Akron and manufactured at the companys racing tyre plant in Chile.
Continue ReadingGerman Tyre Brand Obligation Is Without Legal Force
This news is not brand new, but it has far-reaching consequences for the German tyre retail business. Tyre brand obligations which are usually signed in the vehicle documents are without legal force since this February and from now on will be regarded as recommendations. This means that on the one hand the owner of the car is responsible for the legally correct set of tyres on his car but on the other hand the tyre retailer is also responsible: if he makes a wrong recommendation which leads to an accident, he could be held liable, at least in part.
Continue ReadingManagement Changes At Nokian
Lasse Kurkilahti, President and CEO of Nokian Tyres, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Raisio group from September 1st. He will continue as a director of Nokian. The Raisio group is active in the margarine, grain and chemical industries and employs 2,900 people. No decision has yet been made as to who will succeed Mr. Kurkilahti as Nokians President, but Chairman Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo said that the search for a replacement would begin soon.
Continue ReadingNew Managing Director Position At Reifen Gundlach
On the 1st of May Josef Bündgen was appointed managing director for finance and administration at German tyre wholesaler Reifen Gundlach. In addition to Susumu Tsujimoto, Gebhard and Joachim Jansen he is now the fourth managing director. Michael Andre has become the new Gundlach sales manager.
Continue ReadingBRV Agrees To Cooperate With ZDK
During its 14th annual meeting, the German tyre dealers association BRV voted for an intensified cooperation with the association of the German passenger car dealers and manufacturers (ZDK). The aim of this cooperation is to increase the political influence and to enlarge the knowledge base. The BRV currently has 1,150 members and the ZDK has 48,000.
Continue ReadingMore Tyres Sold By Michelin In North America Than in Europe
For the first time the volumes of Michelin tyres sold in North America (incl. Mexico) exceeded those sold in Europe.
Continue ReadingGood Half-Year Results At Trelleborg
The structure of the Trelleborg group (Sweden) has changed because of several acquisitions and sales of business units within last twelve months. The tyre and wheel business – included in the business unit Trelleborg Wheel Systems (TWS) and in which Pirelli is a joint venture partner – has improved sales by 7% (compared with the first half year 1999) and profits by 28%. OE business in agricultural tyres was positive, but the aftermarket continued to be slightly weak. Industrial tyres were in strong demand in North America and Korea, while the European market recovered slightly.
Continue ReadingSix Percent More For Continental Tyres
Continental Commercial tyre prices increased by seven percent in August. Effective 1st November, prices for passenger car tyres (summer and winter) and light truck tyres are to rise six percent. Higher costs for raw materials, oil and chemicals, as well as more expensive energy and distribution costs, are the reasons for this decision. The company cannot continue to absorb rising costs without passing them on. The retailers situation is comparable. Our decision provides an opportunity for the retailers to improve the gross profit in their own field, Jescow von Puttkamer told NEUE REIFENZEITUNG.
Continue ReadingCAS Sues Ford And Bridgestone
In the USA, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS), the consumer group founded by Ralph Nader, has filed a lawsuit against Ford and Bridgestone/Firestone to try to force the companies to replace all Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness tyres, irrespective of tyre size or place of manufacture. CAS says that the numbers involved would be at least double the current recall figure of 6.5 million tyres.
Continue ReadingAdministrative Receivers Appointed For Finelist PLC
Administrative Receivers have been appointed to Finelist plc and its trading subsidiaries, which includes Motorworld. Finelist produces motor components and has a turnover of 500 million Pounds. The company employs almost 5,500 people in 600 UK locations. The receivers hope to sell the business as a going concern.
Continue ReadingClosure Of Bridgestone US Factory “Cannot Be Ruled Out”
Quoted in the Asian Wall Street Journal, Bridgestone President Yoichiro Kaizaki said that the companys factory in Decatur could be temporarily closed, should improvements need to be made. Mr. Kaizaki also said that permanent closure of the plant could not be ruled out.
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