Surprise Bond Issue From Michelin
The French tyre manufacturer launched a 1.5 billion Euro bond issue of a two part bond. The issue surprised the markets and has a seven-year maturity on a One billion Euro bond, plus a further 500 million pounds in a ten year bond.
Continue ReadingMore Woes For Firestone and Ford
A Federal Judge has refused an application by Ford and Firestone to dismiss 121 cases brought against the companies where the cases involved accidents in Venezuela and Columbia. Judge Barker ruled that the defendants had not proven that the cases would get a fair hearing in those countries. The decision is not binding on other courts, but may influence similar cases being brought elsewhere in the USA. Firestone was extremely disappointed by the ruling, and Ford said it was unprecedented. Both defendants are likely to appeal the case.
Continue ReadingTruck Tyre Survey – Michelin And Bridgestone Score Well
The latest J.D. Power customer survey concerns heavy truck tyres as original equipment. Respondents rated tyres for safety, durability, tread life and overall value. Michelin came out on top, closely followed by Bridgestone, although Bridgestone customers reported the fewest problems per 100 tyres. According to the report, the biggest problems associated with tyres are excessive or uneven tread wear and blowouts.
Continue Reading400 km/hr Bugatti On Michelin Pax System
The EB 16-4 Veyron is the latest offering from Bugatti, with a theoretical top speed of 406 km/hr and a performance of 0-300 km/hr in under 14 seconds. The Veyron has 20 forged alloy wheels and is fitted with Michelins Pax system. Tyre sizes are (front) 245-690 R 520 A and (rear) 365-710 R 540 A.
Continue ReadingUS Tyre Fire “Could Burn For Months”
An illegal tyre dump, covering 145 acres and containing an estimated four million tyres, caught fire over the weekend near the city of Roanoke, Virginia. 50 people left their homes, but returned later when the wind changed direction. The cause of the blaze is not known. Governor Mark Warner declared a state of emergency on Sunday, which means that the county can use state resources. Such fires are usually left to burn themselves out, as water run-off could contain toxic chemicals. Officials said the fire could burn for months.
Continue ReadingGajah Tunggal
Gajah Tunggal was established in 1951 to produce bicycle tyres and inner tubes. 20 years later production of motorcycle tyres began, followed in 1981 by car tyre production. Gajah Tunggal produced its first car and light truck radial tyres in 1989, and was listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange in 1990. In the past ten years Gajah Tunggal has grown by acquisition of suppliers such as GT Petrochem, a producer of tyre cord and nylon filament, Langgeng Bajapratma, a wire manufacturer, and Meshindo Alloy Wheel Corporation. These developments linked to constant improvements in quality control, gaining ISO 9002 quality certification in 1995, along with TÜV Certification from Germany, helped create Gajah Tunggal as one of the leading tyre manufacturers in South East Asia. The Gajah Tunggal radial tyre plant gained ISO 9001 in 1997 and has also received quality certification from several countries i.e. E-Mark from the European Community, TÜV CERT from Germany, quality testing certification from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the BPS from the Philippines and a similar certification from the Government of Brazil. Currently Gajah Tunggal sources 36% of its raw materials from its subsidiary companies. Further vertical integration and synergy of its group activities to develop higher technology and higher value-added products, are a key policy in future development of the business operation. The company has entered into an off-take agreement with Pirelli to manufacture tyres for North America and Europe.
Continue ReadingGo Gomma Srl
Go Gomma has been involved with repair and tyre dealer products since 1981, benefiting from more than thirty years experience gained by its founder, Giuliano Gori. All products and equipment have been chosen for their competitive prices and optimal quality, and also for innovation, safety, ease of use and protection of the environment. This has enabled Go Gomma to become the main supplier of important Italian and foreign distributors, thus confirming the quality and service of its production so that many products sold under other brand names include Go Gomma technology, experience and skill. The companys current commitments are aimed not only at consolidating its image but also acquiring customers in developing countries by taking part in specialised fairs and sales missions. The experience gained in the traditional repair and tyre dealer sectors has not prevented Go Gomma from shifting its attention towards developing technologies that, even though founded on rubber and polymers in general, have applications in the industrial abrasion, proof coating and surface protection field. Go Gomma is the leading company in this sector with the widest selection of materials and accessories for rebuilders and tyre dealers. A vast choice of top quality products for professionals is the strong point of the company and the foundation for its many years of success.
Continue ReadingMRF Limited
MRF was established in Chennai, India, in 1946 as a general rubber goods manufacturer and gradually progressed into tyre production in 1961. Today, the company enjoys the distinction of being the largest tyre company in the Indian subcontinent and the 13th largest in the world. The Far Eastern Economic Review Annual Review 200; rated MRF as one of India’s top ten companies and among the 200 most admired companies in Asia, for the last seven years consecutively. MRF was also rated the No. 1 Ethical Company in India by the Business World magazine. MRF operates six manufacturing plants in India at Tiruvottiyur, Arkonam, Kottayam, Goa, Medak, and Pondicherry and manufactures the largest range of tyres in India´s heavy duty truck/bus tyres, light commercial vehicle tyres, passenger car tyres, off-the-road/industrial tyres, 2-wheeler tyres and farm service tyres. Five of these plants and the conveyor belting factory at Arakonam are ISO 9002 certified. The plant at Pondicherry is QS 9000 certified. MRF Tyres are exported to over 65 countries in the Americas, Africa, Middle East, Australia and Asia. With the focus on exports, the company plans to increase market share and start operations in several new countries. MRF also manufactures conveyor belts and precure tread rubber, and its subsidiaries manufacture toys, speciality paints, leather and leather products.
Continue ReadingJ. D. Power OE Tyre Satisfaction Study
For the fourth year running, Michelin ranks highest in the UK OE tyre satisfaction study, receiving the highest ratings for durability; the factor rated as most important by UK consumers. In second place were Pirelli and Kumho, with the latter scoring well because owners experience few problems with the brand. The survey questions over 3,000 UK motorists in their first year of car ownership, regarding tyre quality, performance and brand image. Following the top three brands, three further brands (Bridgestone, Dunlop and Goodyear) al scored the same. Bridgestone received highest marks in the study for traction/safety, while Goodyear and Pirelli tied for top spot in tyre design.
Continue ReadingFord Acknowledges Loss Likely On Kwik-Fit Sale
According to the Financial Times, Ford is admitting for the first time that it will face a substantial loss when it disposes of Kwik-Fit. The FT says it has seen documents from Fords auditors, warning that the proceeds from any disposal will not be in line with the book value. The UK parent of Kwik-Fit (and other companies such as Jaguar and Aston Martin) - Ford Automotive Holdings - recently filed its year 2000 accounts, which include the first years contributions from Kwik-Fit. These show pre-tax losses of 356 m GBP (580 m Euro) on a turnover of 9.42 bn GBP (15.35 bn Euro). 1999s pre-tax loss was 175 m GBP (285 m Euro) on a turnover of 8.71 bn GBP (14.2 bn Euro).
Continue ReadingLooking For Italian Beauties
According the information given in the March issue of the in-flight magazine Rono Iberia of the Spanish airline Iberia the Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli is looking for beautiful Italian women – anonymous if possible – for its next years calendar production. It is planned to add nude pictures of a national beauty to the list of celebrities who have appeared in previous editions. Rondo Iberia says that a prestigious photographer will select the winner among ten candidates previously chosen by a jury.
Continue ReadingUS Tyre Fire Causes State Of Emergency
A fire at a 145 acre tyre dump in Virginia has created a State of Emergency. This allows State resources to be used to contain the fire in a dump estimated to hold over 4 million waste tyres. Authorities expect to let the fire burn out and say it may take months to combust all the waste. The operator was fined for the illegal dump over a decade ago, but nothing could be done to force him to clear the waste heap.
Continue ReadingButler Engineering & Marketing S.r.L.
Based in Rio Saliceto, about 20 miles west of Modena, Italy, Butler Engineering & Marketing originated in 1998. It started as an entrepreneurial venture by a few people with a common vision to change the way tyres were fitted, bringing into line the technical developments of the tyre, wheel and automotive industries. The first four years were dedicated to product development and contacts with the main customers were established. Then, in 1993 and 1994 the network of agents was brought up to a satisfactory level, according to the companys potential in terms of manufacturing capability. It was in late 1994 that the growth boom started. The company now employs 70 professionals. Turnover in 1995 doubled, while in 1996 another increase of approximately 50% was achieved. Since then a steady increase in turnover and output has occurred. Butler specialises in manufacturing tyre changers, which are very original and innovative in terms of design, construction and operation. All Butler tyre changers can easily be identified because of their special features; in fact, they have a unique ergonomical design and are almost all powered by compressed air. Power and comfortable controls allow an effortless and effective operation, even with the toughest and most delicate tyre-rim combinations. All parts of the machine touching the wheel or tyre are made of plastic or rubber, to avoid any kind of damage. For instance, an exclusive and patented mount/demount head, made from synthetic material, is always in touch with the rim edge, thus reducing considerably the stress generated during a mounting or demounting operation. The Butler range of equipment also includes a complete series of electronic wheel balancers, made according to the latest technology, eg the ADI (Automatic Data Input). Butler has established a mutual cooperation with the R&D departments of important car, tyre and wheel manufacturers, which are using Butler tyre changers to test the mountability of the most advanced tyre/rim combinations. Approvals or agreements have been signed with Mercedes, Porsche, Bridgestone/Firestone, Dunlop, Continental and others. BBS and Lorinser are promoting the Butler Airdraulic to all their wheel dealers. At the assembly plants of Ferrari, Porsche, M5, Audi 8, Fiat and others, the first equipment tyres are mounted with Butler Airdraulic tyre changers. Technical improvements are not focused just on machines, but also on tools like the so-called HM (Half Moon) tyre bead lever, which dramatically improves the operators comfort and efficiency. A consumers video has been produced to increase the knowledge and skill of operators on handling the toughest and most delicate low profile tyres and aluminium rims with the Butler Airdraulic tyre changer. The Butler Passport to Higher Performance is an important contribution to spreading knowledge on how to handle rims and tyres. It is a manual containing general and specific information about rims, tyres and the proper way to handle them. Also it includes a section related to the use of Butler tyre changers. This manual is available on the Butler home page www.butler.it where other interesting information can be found.
Continue ReadingThree Awards For Goodyear From Toyota
The Toyota Motor Corp. presented Goodyear with two awards at its annual suppliers meeting in Nagoya Japan and another award was presented to Goodyear in the USA. First was a Global Contribution Award for Goodyears supply performance at Toyotas 15 plants worldwide. The second award was a Value Award - Superior for technical approvals and tyre development on Corolla and Camry cars. The North American award is a Certificate of Achievement for delivery performance through 2001.
Continue ReadingDeath Of Renate Hülzer
Renate Hülzer, wife of BRV-Managing director Peter Hülzer, died unexpectedly yesterday in Cologne. She was 42 years old.
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