DaimlerChrysler Awards For Eight Goodyear Plants
Eight Goodyear factories have earned the DaimlerChrysler Gold Award, given in recognition of outstanding service. Seven of the plants are in North America and one is in Europe, at Philippsburg, in Germany. Goodyear was rated as excellent in the areas of quality, delivery, competitive pricing and technology and acceptable in customer support.
Continue ReadingDunlop and the End of the Spare Wheel
At the beginning of October Dunlop GmbH (Hanau) invited trade journalists and vehicle manufacturers’ OE managers to a demonstration, Dunlop ’99: Innovations in the Interest of Safety and Mobility at Trier, or rather at the company’s own test track at Wittlich. The main aim of the event was to convince that it was high time to get rid of the spare wheel. People’s attitudes cannot be changed overnight; a lot of thinking is required about how to live in future without this fifth wheel on the car and yet remain mobile in a vehicle that has just had a puncture. Dunlop claims to have developed a forward-looking safety and mobility concept, consisting of several different components grouped together: a self-supporting tyre (DSST = Dunlop Self Supporting Technology), an integrated tyre pressure monitor called Warnair, and an equivalent system for the replacement market developed in cooperation with the Italian Alltech Car Security Systems company plus a tyre sealant Fill & Go on the basis of IMS (Instant Mobility System). In the next few years the company will introduce the practical application of each of these components on different vehicle models – Dunlop can already claim partial successes. For example, the increasing numbers of IMS applications have prompted the tyre manufacturer to speak of a breakthrough, but the company is realistic enough to know that in the case of the DSST tyre series a similar success can only be had through original equipment.
Continue ReadingMore And More E-Commerce In The Tyre Business
Late – at least compared with other businesses – but not too late, the tyre industry and trade have realised the importance and the possibilities of e-commerce and for todays business. But this late discovery is not really a surprise because automotive and related companies are naturally not so closely related to the topic as, for example, the electronics or the communications businesses. It is therefore perhaps not surprising that a study by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), carried out in co-operation with KPMG Consulting, reveals a lower interest among companies in the automotive sector – again only in comparison with other businesses – to expand their e-business activities, although in the meantime the internet is becoming more and more accepted in the tyre business. Two or three years ago there were only a few investing in this new media. But since last year, the number of tyre and wheel related online shops or portal sites is constantly growing. And even the tyre manufacturers themselves are investing more and more in internet facilities. Details can be found in NEUE REIFENZEITUNG’s e-commerce feature in January.
Continue ReadingShow A Little Respect
A survey among 720 chief executives worldwide, conducted by the Financial Times and PricewaterhouseCoopers, lists the worlds most respected companies. There are no tyre companies in the top fifty and the only mention of a tyre manufacturer is of Michelin, who was placed equal sixth in a separate section headed The Worlds Most Respected Engineering Companies.
Continue ReadingNew And More OE Contracts For Bridgestone From GM
Worldwide, the Bridgestone group has won new and additional OE business from General Motors, the worlds largest purchaser of tyres. Continental too will supply more tyres this year than last. It is said that Michelin asked for a significant price increase and voluntarily gave up supply volumes.
Continue ReadingNot So Good For ArvinMeritor
ArvinMeritors first fiscal quarter (ended 31st December 2000) results returned sales of $1.7billion and net income of $20million, representing 30cents per share. However, sales declined $265 million or 14%, and net income fell by 69% compared to the same period last year. The company is in the process of a rapid restructuring program and expects to start seeing benefits in the coming year.
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 ReadingBad Weather Creates Opportunities
The Automobile Association (AA) revealed figures for its busiest and quietest days of 2000. 20% of call outs were for flat or faulty batteries. The advice from the AA is that if a battery is struggling, get a new one. The second largest reason for call outs was for tyre related problems, with 7% of callers having tyre problems.
Continue ReadingVietnamese Rubber Producers Call For Export Limit
Vietnams rubber producers have called for a limit on exports of crude rubber. Exports to countries such as China have increased to the stage where the domestic rubber processing industry is facing a shortage of raw materials.
Continue ReadingVice President For RubberNetwork.com
Ron Wells has been named as Vice President of Business Development for RubberNetwork.com. Wells has over 22 years experience with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, having successfully implemented brand development programs on a global level and with experience in purchasing and marketing management.
Continue ReadingOE Success For Yokohama
The Super Sport Car V 12 Vanquish will be fitted by Aston Martin with Yokohama tyres AVS Sport in 255/40 ZR 19 (front) and 285/40 ZR 19 (rear). Yokohama has added the exclusive logo AML on the sidewall for the tyres delivered to Aston Martin.
Continue ReadingAgreement Between Ford/Goodyear To Speed Tires to Consumers
Ford and Goodyear made arrangements to allow Ford customers to obtain Ford-approved replacements for Firestone Wilderness AT tires at no charge to the customer. In addition, the tire manufacturer is making arrangements to ensure adequate availability of Goodyear tires at Ford and Mercury dealerships through its own network of independent tire dealers and Goodyear company-owned stores. Goodyear has increased tire production significantly at seven North American manufacturing plants to make tires available for use in the replacement program.
Continue ReadingReifen Gundlach: Successful Marketing of Gajah Tunggal Tyres In Germany
The two managing directors of Reifen Gundlach, Gebhard and Joachim Jansen, once again invited a number of important guests to visit the Gajah Tunggal factory in Jakarta. This journey was to make it clear to everybody that, with the German wholesaler on one the side and the Indonesian tyre manufacturer on the other, two promising partners have been found to make progress in the hotly-disputed home market. The official reason for visiting the company was the introduction of the latest uhp tyres GT Radial Champiro HPZ 40/45 and the Maxmiler CX, which could also be tested on the Sentul racing track. For the management it was important to keep in touch with the world’s leading tyre manufacturers. Referring to marketing, GT was already cooperating with the German wholesaler Reifen Gundlach before the Japanese world trading group Itochu acquired a majority holding in the trading enterprise from Raubach, in September 1998, which is said to be have since grown to 75 percent. Reifen Gundlach’s market acceptance has grown so far, because being part of Itochu has been very important, not least, for the cooperation with Michelin. This is a strategic partnership selected by Reifen Gundlach, in order to bring those customers to the tyre manufacturer that it finds difficult to reach, and to help Reifen Gundlach itself to successfully expand its tyre range.
Continue ReadingInvestor Update From Goodyear
The latest investor update from Goodyear reflects the worldwide state of the motor industry. US and European passenger car replacement sales were above last year’s figures, but commercial sales were down. OE shipments in the US were down, but level with last year’s figures in the European Union. Eastern Europe showed a flat replacement market and a 20% drop in OE supply. In Latin America replacement sales were down, but OE was up in May. A similar picture was painted in Asia. Throughout the world market increasing raw materials costs and reduction in auto manufacture output has affected trade adversely.
Continue ReadingGood Performance For Bridgestone/Firestone Deutschland GmbH
In a difficult environment Bridgestone/Firestone was able to sell in the first half of 2001 more units than in the first half of the year 2000. Managing Director Günter Unterhauser confirmed that, in the first half of this year, his company sold 4 per cent more passenger car tyres and 6 per cent more truck tyres while the market in general fell by 2 per cent and 4 per cent respectively. The increases in motor cycle tyres (plus 29 per cent) and agricultural tyres (plus 29 per cent) were significantly higher. In the EM-Segment Bridgestone sold as many tyres as in the first half of 2000 while the market shrank by 10 per cent. Due to several good test results the management is very confident for the winter season and is convinced that turnover for the year as a whole will be at least 10 per cent higher than the previous year. Operating results are in line with expectations and the management said that it is quite satisfied.
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