High Performance Growth Predicted By Michelin
Michelin recently described the V/Z sector as the most dynamic sector in todays market, increasing by the rate of 15% per year in Europe and growing five times faster than the overall market. By 2003, Michelin estimates that 35.7 million tyres will be sold in this sector, accounting for almost one quarter of the replacement tyre market.
Continue ReadingNew Sales And Marketing Director At TWS Rotatec GmbH
As Sales And Marketing Director at Trelleborg Wheel Systems (TWS) Rotatec GmbH & Co. KG, Oliver Gehlker has been responsible for the German market since 3rd July. According to TWS, Gehlker, who is 33 years old, is very experienced in the tyre business. Before he signed up to his new job, he held different positions in the tyre industry and retail sector.
Continue ReadingThe Merry-Go-Round At Goodyear North America Goes On Again
Bill Sharp (59) has retired suddenly on July 14th after 36 years of Service for the tyre maker. His successor, John C. Polhemus (56) used to be President of Goodyears Latin America region. Marco Molinari, currently Vice President Marketing and Sales North America, becomes Vice President Global Marketing Projects. Jim Vogel, currently Director Corporate Accounts North American Tire, becomes Vice President Marketing and Corporate Accounts for North America.
Continue ReadingFurther Step For RubberNetwork.com?
The six tyre manufacturers making up RubberNetwork.com have signed a memorandum of association; a further step in creating the global electronic purchasing marketplace for tyres and rubber, which is on track to be up and running by the year end. The six members are: Continental, Cooper, Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli and Sumitomo Rubber industries. On the other hand, Bridgestone has left the project. Asked for the reason by NEUE REIFENZEITUNG magazine, Bridgestone Firestone Europe said that a closer examination indicated that the relationship between costs and savings was not as beneficial as was first expected.
Continue ReadingPrice Increase From Pirelli Germany
Pirelli has announced a price increase for commercial tyres of 2.5%, effective 1st September 2000. A company statement attributed this to the increasing costs of raw material.
Continue ReadingSales Of Cars In Asia To Fall Next Year
Despite the recovery in vehicle sales in Asia over the past two years, analysts are predicting a slowdown in sales in parts of the region, notably South Korea. The Asian car market is expected to fall by 3% next year, with little sign of recovery in 2002.
Continue ReadingToday “Only” A Tyre, Tomorrow A Measurement Tool?
The automotive business is moving more and more towards an intelligent chassis control or a total chassis management. In this scenario tyres are playing a role of growing importance. Today consumers and tyre manufacturers still focus on comfort, rolling resistance, handling etc. But what about tomorrow? Electronic sensors within the tyre will be able to supply additional information to the driver or to systems like ESP. For 20 years, the interaction between road and tyres has been studied at the University of Darmstadt and has for example led to the so-called Darmstädter Tyre Sensor or a special trailer for measurements concerning tyre noise emission. But in mid October – after events in 1996 and 1998 – this was also the place where the third Reifenkolloquium was held for international experts to discuss topics related to research and development in the tyre, wheel and related businesses. About 90 attendees were at the event this year. After an introductory speech entitled The Tyre – Key Component For Driving Dynamics And Steering another twelve lecturers followed. Divided into four sections Tyre/Road Noise, Tyre Evaluation/Test, Models & Simulation and Sensors & Road Parameter Evaluation they reported the recent results of their studies. Some of these, which are not too technical, are summarised in the November issue of NEUE REIFENZEITUNG.
Continue ReadingRecall Burdens Ford Results
Ford Motor Company has suffered a reduced profit of 888 million US-$ in the third quarter, compared to the same period for 1999 (959 m). Ford Chairman Jacques Nasser attributes the results to the Firestone recall. To provide good tyres to Ford customers is more important than realising short term profits.
Continue ReadingMAHA Acquires Slift
The German supplier of various items of equipment for the tyre shop, MAHA (Maschinenbau Haldenwang), has acquired lifting platform specialist Slift. With this acquisition, MAHA staff numbers increase to 1,000.
Continue ReadingPolish Opening For Kwik-Fit
In two weeks time, Kwik-Fit will open its first fast-fit centre in Warsaw, Poland. Another six, purpose-built centres are scheduled to be opened in Poland in the near future.
Continue ReadingPirelli Makes It Clear
In reply to an article in NEUE REIFENZEITUNG entitled Bremsspuren im Odenwald (Pirelli Shows Brake Lights in Germany) Dr. Wentz assured the Darmstädter Echo in an interview that the company was about to conclude an extraordinarily good 1999 business year and that there would be no personnel cuts. The correct version is: In the year 2000, Pirelli Germany (by which we mean Pirelli AG, Metzeler, Drahtcord and Pirelli Reifenwerke) will not be sacking 140 white collar workers, as previously reported, but only 45. On the other hand, Pirelli says it is going to employ 48 more blue-collar workers. These are the official figures from the office of Dr. Wentz, which we have no cause to doubt. Having said that, the numbers do not correspond with information that we have from other sources and they apply only to the year 2000. Further details will be given in future issues of NEUE REIFENZEITUNG. In October 1999, Pirelli chief Tronchetti Provera explained, against the background of falling profits, the need to reduce staff numbers in the Tyre Division by 800 in the year 1999.
Continue ReadingChanges at ContiTech
The Benecke-Kaliko Group is the second-largest part of ContiTech. Continental has decided to increase its shareholding in the company from 50.1% to 99%, buying from DG Bank. Bamberger Kaliko will be separated from the group by a management-buyout.
Continue ReadingGeneral Motors acquire remaining 50% of Saab
General Motors announced that it will acquire the remaining 50% of Saab. 130,000 Saab vehicles were produced in 1999.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Opens Fourth Japanese Plant For Diversified Products
On February 15th, Bridgestone opened its fourth plant in Japan devoted to the production of diversified products such as high performance functional films and precision components of rubber and plastic. The factory, sited in Iwata, covers an area of 17.3 hectares, of which 2.3 hectares are under cover, and employs 130. It is Bridgestones 15th factory in Japan.
Continue ReadingGoodyear decrease in net income
Goodyears net income for the fourth quarter of last year amounted to US$ 47.8 million compared with US$ 121.5 million in the fourth quarter of 1998. The companys net income for the whole of 1999 was US$ 241.1 million compared to US$ 682.3 million in 1998.
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