Kwik-Fit Service Gauges Whether it is Time to Retire the Tyres
As Kwik-Fit points out, it’s not just bald tyres that cause danger – old ones are also problematic. New research commissioned by the company found that as many as 16.7 million motorists’ tyres could be suffering from premature ageing, a condition that tends to affect tyres more than five years old. While tyres contain anti-oxidising chemicals to slow down the rate of ageing, factors such as infrequent use and poor storage can accelerate the ageing process and render them unroadworthy. This is why tyre manufacturers recommend that tyres over five years of age should be visually inspected for signs of premature ageing. To help identify their age all tyres display a coded date of manufacture, something that – no surprises here – three-quarters of British motorists are unaware of. But even so, Kwik-Fit notes that the average punter is unlikely to be able to translate the ‘tyroglyphics’ that appear on the side of the tyre.
Continue ReadingMalaysia Clamping Down on Regrooved Tyres
Motorists in Malaysia have been warned that regrooved is not groovy – drivers of vehicles fitted with regrooved tyres have until November 1 to replace them with new or retreaded tyres approved by the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) before risking a fine. We will educate the public on the basic knowledge of tyre safety by distributing posters containing information on tyre care nationwide, said Datuk Suret, director general of Malaysia’s Road Safety Department. He added that an educational campaign, including posters bearing message such as Retread Tyres Are Safe To Use and Your Car Is Only As Safe As Your Tyres will be distributed throughout the country. The department will also work with various agencies, including the Customs Department, to take action against retailers that sell tyres not meeting safety standards.
Continue ReadingLanxess Manager to Head Germany’s DKG
The head of global marketing at Lanxess AG’s Technical Rubber Products business units, Jürgen Gunther, has been appointed Management Board chairman of the German Rubber Society (the Deutsche Kautschuk Gesellschaft, or DKG) Gunther, who was already a member of the Management Board, was elected at a general meeting to succeed the previous incumbent, Thomas Barth of Freudenberg New Technologies KG. The Lanxess manager, who has been involved in the international polymers business for over 35 years, will hold this post until 2012. The DKG is an association of more than 1,000 individuals and companies whose common goal is to encourage research and development in elastomers and disseminate knowledge in this field.
Continue ReadingContinental AG Posts Half-Year Profit
Based upon preliminary figures for the second quarter of 2009, Continental AG is reporting a “clear profit” for the three-month period, with an adjusted EBIT of 283.0 million euros. Reported EBIT for the quarter was 38.8 million euros, compared with a loss of 34.3 million in the first quarter. These results, says Continental, demonstrate the company’s “unwavering operational strength in the midst of the ongoing crisis in the automotive sector.” “In an extremely difficult business environment and despite the current paralysis due to its uncertain future, Continental still achieved its operating goals,” said Continental Executive Board chairman Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann on July 20.
Continue ReadingFirst Commercial Implementation of Tirex TCS System a Step Closer
US based tyre recycling solutions developer the Tirex Corporation announced on July 14 that Italian company Simpro S.p.A., who is licensed by Tirex to manufacture, install, commission and warrant turnkey its TCS tyre recycling facilities, recently signed a US$20.8 million Memorandum of Understanding with Enchantex Solutions of Malaysia for such a system. This is a major milestone for Tirex and our TCS technology as it begins the production of the first commercial tyre recycling system to freeze tyre rubber with cold air as opposed to using expensive liquid nitrogen, stated Tirex CEO John L. Threshie Jr.
Continue ReadingConti to Receive Kuwaiti Investment?
According to an article that appeared German business newspaper WirtschaftsWoche on July 18, Continental AG may soon be the recipient of Kuwaiti investment. The paper reported that investors from the Persian Gulf State entered into talks with Continental Executive Board chairman Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann several days earlier. This meeting followed one the investors conducted with Christian Wulff, the premier of the state of Lower Saxony, where Continental is headquartered.
Continue ReadingFrench Car Plant Workers Hold-Off Factory Bomb Threats
Factory bomb threats have reportedly taken over from so-called bossnappings (where factory managers are held hostage) on the part of French automotive worker faced with plant closures. According to news reports, workers at the New Fabris plant have voted to remove gas canisters they were using as explosives, union representatives are quoted as saying. In return for holding off their plans for what can perhaps be described as corporate terrorism (others may describe it as economic freedom fighting) the companys union is demanding 30,000 euros (£25,870; $42,470) each from Renault and PSA/Peugeot-Citroen for all of its displaced employees. The combined figure of 60,000 is nearly ten times what Renault and Peugeot have committed to after buying New Fabris remaining shares, “subject to quality guarantees, on condition that the money goes to the companys former workers.” The two car makers are New Fabris’ biggest customers.
Continue Reading66 Injured in Autobahn Pile-up Involving 259
More than 66 people have been injured in a huge motorway pile-up on the A2 between Hanover and Peine in Germany. According to Reuters reports, 259 cars were involved in the huge accident. 10 people are reportedly fighting for their lives. Police said the pile-up was believed to have been caused by a combination of heavy rain and excessive speed.
Continue ReadingHofmann Helps MIRA Stay Balanced
MIRA, the leading automotive design, development and certification consultancy, has chosen a Hofmann geodyna 6900p wheel balancer for its vehicle dynamics laboratory. The geodyna 6900p wheel balancer features a number of patented innovations, including virtual plane measurement to ensure accurate balance results that are insensitive to ambient conditions such as temperature, humidity, fatigue and overload. In addition, it also includes a so-called “WeightMiser” function which allows removal of sufficient vibration from a tyre and wheel by applying a lower amount of weight than a normal balance function recommends, thereby reducing the amount of costly balance weights required.
Continue ReadingMichelin Extends Current USW Contract
Following a contract extension between Goodyear and the United Steelworkers union, Michelin North America has also agreed with the USW to an extension of the labour agreement with company employees. The two parties, currently in negations over a new master agreement, have given their consent to a four-week extension, which expires on August 15.
Continue ReadingMichelin Extends Corvette Fitment Portfolio
The Corvette has been ‘king of the hill’ in the American performance car word for more than half a century, and the latest incarnation of the fibreglass bodied Chevrolet comes with a range of engine options delivering up to 638hp. A car so well endowed in the motor department obviously needs a tyre up to the job, and Michelin now has a product for the entire model range. The manufacturer has announced that its Pilot Sport PS2 ZP (zero pressure), already supplied for the Corvette C5, C6, and ZR1 models, will as of August 1 become available on the Corvette C6 Z06. The addition of tyre sizes for the C6 Z06, says Michelin, completes the transformation of its UHP portfolio that began in December 2007 with Michelins very first original equipment fitment for the Corvette ZR1.
Continue ReadingConti Clairoix Workers Face Property Damage Charges
Several hundred employees from Continental AG’s Clairoix facility in France assembled outside a courthouse on July 17 during the appearance of seven of their colleagues. The seven workers were answering charges related to property damage at a regional government office in April. If found guilty, the accused face up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to 75,000 euros. The seven are accused of stormed the office in April following the Clairoix factory’s announced closure. Furniture and computers were thrown from windows and files were removed from cabinets and strewn about. Authorities estimate that around 40,000 euros worth of damage occurred.
Continue ReadingDouble Coin to Sell Shanghai Michelin Warrior Tire Shares
Double Coin Holdings Ltd. announced on July 17 the intention to sell its 28.5 per cent shares in Shanghai Michelin Warrior Tire Co. Ltd (SMWT); the company says it believes this transaction is in the best interest of SMWT’s shareholders. The share sale will follow the applicable process and rules that apply under Chinese laws and regulations. At the same time a second shareholder, Shanghai Minhang United Development Co., Ltd, will also sell its 1.5 per cent share.
Continue ReadingUK Launch for Michelin Earthmover Tyre Repair Programme
Michelin claims another industry first with the launch of its accredited earthmover tyre repairs programme, which is designed to raise the standard of repairs and ensure increased safety, performance and value for operators. Launched in partnership with Rema Tip-Top, this UK initiative has been developed by Michelin as a worldwide pilot ahead of its possible introduction in other countries. There are national standards in place for the repair of road tyres but currently no legislation which sets a standard for off-road tyre repairs,” explained Chris Logan, commercial director of Michelin Earthmover and Industrial Operations.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Cutting Philippines Tyre Jobs
Goodyear has announced that it is to close its Philippines tyre plant, cutting 83 per cent of its staff within the country in the process, reports The Wall Street Journal. The reduced demand and the high costs of running the facility mean that the Las Pinas plants products “are not competitive in the marketplace,” according to Pierre Cohade, Goodyear Asia-Pacific regional president. The closure will happen at the end of the current quarter, with 500 out of the 600 Philippines workers laid off. According to reports, the company’s sales and marketing departments will remain unaffected. As previously noted on Tyrepress.com, Goodyear plans to cut much of its worldwide capacity over the next two years, and this latest closure will account for 2 million of the 15 million units of annual production due to be shed. The Wall Street Journal report concludes that Goodyear will record approximately $20 million in charges as a consequence of the closure.
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