US Order For ContiTech
Delphi Automotive has exclusively ordered membranes from ContiTech Elastomerbeschichtungen GmbH. They are to be used in pressure sensors for fuel injection systems. This year ContiTech will produce 40,000 of these membranes for the US-based automotive supplier, in 2001 the number will be doubled.
Continue ReadingNTDA Conference 2000
The National Tyre Distributors Association held its millennium conference in Portugal. Before the conference got under way, delegates were given the news that RapidFit had applied to join the association. The 300-strong chain of Ford dealers is the first of the vehicle dealerships to enter into membership. The keynote speaker at the conference was Sir Tom Farmer, one of whose points was that the association should consider becoming more commercial and explore the possibility of setting up a buying group for members. Other speakers explored the themes of the impact of e-commerce and the internet on tyre retailing and what tyre dealers can do to take advantage of the opportunities which are liable to arise in the future. The impact of legislation – existing and forthcoming – was another topic, including the implications of the proposed End of Life Vehicle Directive. There was a different format for the second day, when delegates broke into groups to discuss the three subjects of scrap tyre disposal, e-commerce and the changing face of tyre retailing, reflecting the previous day’s subjects. The group chairmen then reported back to the meeting and the conclusions were presented to the NTDA in order to guide the association as to its future strategic direction in these areas. Debate was lively and everyone agreed that the new format had been a resounding success.
Continue ReadingContinental Number 34 In German Company Rankings
In a list of the 100 largest German industrial and trading companies, published in the newspaper Süddeutschen Zeitung, Continental was ranked in 34th place, with a 1999 turnover of 9.132 bn. Euros. This is a rise of eight places from the previous years list. The leading trio remains unchanged; undisputed leader is still DaimlerChrysler, followed by Volkswagen and Siemens.
Continue ReadingDifferences Between Ford and Firestone Continue
With court appearances imminent lawyers for Ford and Firestone are still discussing how to consiolidate some 100 cases being brought against them in federal courts. It is still hoped to draw all claims before a single judge for a pre-trial preparation. However, continuing differences between Ford and Firestone may lead to a split defence. Plaintiffs lawyers are said to be jubilant at the lack of united front on the recall.
Continue ReadingMilitary Contracts For Goodyear Worth $16 Million
Goodyear has won new and extended contracts for off-the-road tyres from the US Army, valued at $16 m. One is an $11.5 m deal to supply AT-2A traction tyres (size 14.00R20) for five-ton cargo trucks. The extended contract is for $4.5 m to supply the same tyres in size 16.00R20.
Continue ReadingJob Cuts At Tenneco Automotive USA
Tenneco Automotive, the manufacturer of Monroe shock absorbers and Walker exhaust systems, has laid off 285 salaried workers at four sites in the USA. The move follows a steep fall in operating profits and is part of a world-wide programme of up to 700 job cuts. Tenneco has 70 factories in 21 countries.
Continue ReadingSenate Approves New Powers to NHTSA
The US Senate, last night approved legislation prompted by the Bridgestone Firestone tyre recall. The new measures strengthen reporting requirements for automotive related manufacturers. The enforcement powers given to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration allow them to impose civil and criminal penalties for misleading the government about auto defects which result in death and injury. The maximum civil penalty for violations has been raised from $925,000 to $15M, and prison terms of up to 15 years have been prescribed, alongside fines of up to $100,000 for withholding information in cases where death occurs. The legislation instruct NHTSA to conduct tests into SUV safety and issue rules requiring the fitting of safety devices to warn drivers of underinflated tyres.
Continue ReadingEBIT Expectations Of Michelin Confirmed
In an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro, the Michelin management has confirmed that it expects an EBIT of between 7.2 and 8.2 per cent for this year, which has to be regarded as a success under the present economic circumstances.
Continue ReadingDunlop Record Growth in 1999
Dunlop GmbH (Hanau) expects further turnover and profit increases in the 1999 tyre business. Turnover will rise by almost ten per cent over the previous year to 1.64 billion marks. The pre-tax group profit will be significantly above the 1998 level of 133 million marks. The good business development is due to consistently strong demand for Dunlop tyres both in original equipment and in replacement. High winter tyre sales figures also contribute to this development, representing approximately 20 p.c. in Dunlop’s total German production. Dunlop 1999 winter tyre sales will probably have gone up by 16 p.c. over 1998. Since 1994 Dunlop GmbH has doubled its car tyre sales. During the last few years the Hanau tyre manufacturer has made progress in the high-performance tyre segment far above the market average, and the company operates a profit-sharing scheme for its employees. Against the industry trend, the Dunlop payroll has increased by almost 21 p.c. since 1991, with the number of people working for Dunlop GmbH at the end of November 1999 reaching almost 5,000. If one leaves out the former subsidiary Dunlop TECH, which ceased to belong to the contributing members of the Dunlop GmbH group in the middle of last year, the figure is similar to that of the previous year.
Continue ReadingFirst Prize For Conti Teves
A. T. Kearney and the weekly magazine Produktion held a competition for the best factory of the year. 80 plants were nominated and the winner of the first prize for outstanding manufacturing processes was the Conti Teves factory in Rheinböllen, which produces brake components.
Continue ReadingSuppliers Put their Hopes in Nissan/Renault Joint Production
The Nissan factory in Barcelona is not working to capacity and is the obvious candidate for joint production work in similarly built Renault models, according to a statement at the Detroit Motor Show by Carlos Ghosn, ex-Michelin manager, now responsible for the integration of Nissan with Renault. Vehicle suppliers hope to profit from the new arrangements, as Ghosn announced a significant reduction in their numbers. For instance, Hayes Lemmerz supplies nearly all the aluminium wheels to Nissan Europe and is now making big strides with Renault as well.
Continue ReadingRally Triumph For Pirelli
With the teams Burns/Reid and Kankkunen/Repo on Subaru Impreza as well as Auriol/Giraudet on Seat Córdoba Pirelli supplied those with its PZero tyres who won the first three prizes of the Safari-Rallye.
Continue ReadingR.R.W. Reifenrecycling GmbH In Receivership
The tyre recycling company, R.R.W. Reifenrecycling, which is located in Wismar, the eastern part of Germany, is in receivers hands.
Continue ReadingMichelin Germany Increased Investments By 50 %
In 1999, Michelin increased its investments to 128 million DM (1998: 87 million DM). Sales grew to 3.215 bn DM (3.115 bn in 1998), and employment numbers (6,747) were stable. Earnings before income and taxes fell to 69 million DM (87 million DM).
Continue ReadingMichelin Introduces New Truck Tyre Brand
Michelin is introducing its Riken brand into the truck tyre market. The newly-developed tyres will be produced by subsidiary company Taurus in Hungary.
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