Blizzak DM-V1 Offers 4×4 Drivers Superior Snow, Wet Performance
Stronger grip on snow and ice and safer wet weather handling are two advantages Bridgestone claims its new Blizzak DM-V1 delivers over its predecessor, the DM-Z3. These improvements in the studless 4x4 tyre, which is designed for Nordic winter conditions, have been delivered through the use of a Multicell compound, improved sipe technology and a new tread pattern tuned by what Bridgestone calls ‘Simulation Technology’ for optimum snow and wet performance.
Continue ReadingGoodway Anticipates a Profitable 2009
Following a net loss of Rm 12.8 million (£2.2 million) in 2008, Malaysia’s Goodway Integrated Industries anticipates returning into the black this year thanks to increasing demand and weaker raw material prices. Following the company’s annual general meeting on June 23, company CEO Tai Boon Wee told the Kuala Lumpur based Business Times that “yes, we will definitely see profit this year. Orders have been picking up since the second quarter of this year and our third quarter [performance] is showing better business and profit. In preparation for better times the retreader and compound supplier is placing an emphasis upon export market expansion – Brazil and Turkey are two locations named as upcoming recipients of extra attention.
Continue ReadingMarangoni Meccanica Investing in Large Radial Tyre Solutions
According to Marangoni Meccanica SpA, producer of the Marangoni Tyre Machinery brand, a key company aim is to deliver customised industrial solutions that are quality focused, highly innovative and flexible – and in doing so provide end-users with the best possible solution. The company has been developing production technologies for both new and retreaded tyres since the sixties, and in recent years has invested into developing its proprietary “Alpha R” strip winding equipment. At present the Italian firm is placing a particular emphasis on the development of innovative equipment and state-of-the-art technological solutions for the manufacturing of large radial tyres, including tailor-made tyre assembly systems serviced by fully automatic Alpha R applicators.
Continue ReadingBirla Tyres to Receive £100M Kesoram Investment
India’s Kesoram Industries intends to invest Rs 8 billion (£100 million) into its Birla Tyres operation over the next two years. Reuters reports group chairman B.K. Birla as saying Kesoram Industries will make this investment as part of a Rs 20 million investment programme that will also see Rs 7.5 billion directed into its cement unit and some Rs 4.5 billion into “existing plants.” Mr. Birla also named his grandson, Kumar Mangalam Birla, as his successor at the helm of Kesoram Industries. Since Kumar Mangalam is only 42 years old, he will take over the reins of Kesoram after me. This is as per my final will, which was approved by all family members a month ago, he said.
Continue ReadingMotoGP Update – Rossi on Pole for Dutch GP
Fiat Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi has secured pole for the Dutch Grand Prix on Assen’s qualifying TT circuit. His qualifying performance is Rossi’s best of the year, coming in the seventh meeting. Using a medium compound front Bridgestone slick and a soft compound rear he finished 0.085 seconds ahead of Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa and 0.368 seconds clear of teammate Jorge Lorenzo, both of whom also used medium compound front and soft compound rear Bridgestone slicks, making it the closest MotoGP qualifying session since Bridgestone became the series’ Official Tyre Supplier. At one point towards the end of the session, the top five were split by only 0.100 seconds, and a frantic final few minutes changed the order of the front two rows. Bridgestone says that it has come to be expected this season that most riders set their fastest qualifying times using the harder option front tyre and the softer rear slick. This combination, says the supplier, gives the advantage of improved front stability, especially under braking, and added rear traction which is important for drive out of turn five and the last chicane in particular. Rossi’s pole lap was 0.7 seconds faster than the fastest race lap set around Assen on a MotoGP machine, a 1m 36.738 recorded by Ducati Team’s Casey Stoner on Bridgestone tyres last year.
Continue ReadingNew Tyres From Alliance
Alliance Tire has added to its lines with new port tyres and all-new mobile crane tyres. The Alliance Port Star (309) is a 14.00-24 28-ply tyre for container handlers, which features high rubber-to-void ratio, wide tread blocks, flat tread face, and a heat-and-cut-resistant compound. Alliance’s new Mobile Crane Radial (630) 16.00R25, was designed for both off- and on-road applications, and features an all-steel casing, a non-directional tread and a tread compound engineered to minimize heat buildup. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingNewest Baja Claw from Mickey Thompson in US
The new 54-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claw TTC is an “ultra-aggressive off-road performance tyre with an advanced bias belted construction specially designed for rugged off-road use including rock crawling, mud, snow, sand, dirt and gravel,” said the marketer. The Baja Claw TTC, a complete redesign of the original Baja Claw, features directional “SideBiters,” deep shoulder lugs, integrated concave blades to disperse mud, multi-angle sipes, and a highly cut-resistant tread compound. The 19.5/54-20LT Baja Claw TTC weighs 201 pounds, and has an inflated tyre diameter of 53.8 inches with 26/32nds of tread depth, Mickey Thompson officials said. The division of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. said the new tyre would be available in the third quarter of 2009. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingUS Hankook ‘Cubes’ Performance Parameters
Hankook Tire Corp. has launched e3 (“E-Cubed”), a new radial truck tyre technology that combines improvements in energy, economy and environment. The technology is being integrated into Hankook’s newest line haul tyres, scheduled to be available in early 2010, and makes its first appearance at the Great West Truck Show this weekend. Hankook said the “e3 is designed to increase fuel economy, allow for improved fuel savings and wear performance, as well as minimize harmful carbon dioxide discharge.” “Energy, economy and environment – the focus areas for e3 – continue to be key concerns in today’s commercial trucking industry,” said Brian Sheehey, director of commercial tires for Hankook Tire America Corp. “By categorizing a broad range of advanced technologies under e3, Hankook will be able to demonstrate how we deliver significant benefits in each category.” e3 falls under Hankook’s overall Kontrol Technology philosophy, which “focuses on a set of proprietary innovations, applied throughout research, development and production to ensure controlled driving experiences,” the company said. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingGoodyear Sourcing Chief Retiring
Chris Clark, Goodyear’s senior vice president of global sourcing, plans to retire by year-end. The tyremaker has launched an external search for a successor to Clark, who will end a 36-year career with the company. In addition, Goodyear chief procurement officer Mark Purtilar now reports directly to both chairman and CEO Bob Keegan and COO Rich Kramer. Purtilar joined Goodyear as vice president and CPO in September 2007. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingMichelin North America Awarded for New Health Programme
The National Business Group on Health – a US based non-profit organisation that works with large employers to find solutions to health care and related benefits issues – has acknowledged Michelin North America as a corporation with innovative programmes that promote a healthy workplace and help employees make better choices about their own health and well being. The tyre manufacturer was among 63 companies that received the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award at the National Business Group on Healths annual health care summit in Washington, DC. Michelin received a Silver Award for the design and concept of its ‘Choose Well-Live Well’ programme. This is the first year Michelin has been selected for this award.
Continue ReadingParker Hannifin Launches TyreSaver 3.0 Nitrogen Inflation Unit
Precision engineering manufacturer, Parker Hannifin has launched the TyreSaver 3.0 nitrogen tyre inflation unit, which can be used to inflate car, motorcycle, trailer and van tyres. TyreSaver 3.0 has been developed and produced by Parker Filtration and Separation B.V. (PFS) in Etten-Leur, The Netherlands. The result is a robust, lightweight, mobile, nitrogen tyre inflator for the automotive industry, with low investment costs and strong profit margin. As it is based on filtration process, the workshop tool can be connected to a compressor and automatically generates nitrogen from compressed air: a simple concept that is, above all, inexpensive. The TyreSaver 3.0 is fitted with an exchangeable membrane cartridge that will operate for thousands of tyre inflations. The patent is currently pending.
Continue ReadingKlarius’ Cheadle Plant Returns to 5 Day Week
Klarius, the UK-based manufacturer of the TIMAX brand of exhausts and catalytic converters, has returned to a five day week and is reporting increased export sales. The announcement follows investment of over £1.2million in UK manufacturing and R&D over the last 18 months. Klarius was bought from US owners ArvinMeritor LVA in August 2007. After some redundancies last year, the company started employing new staff again in January this year, with the 10 new jobs created said to support growth from increased exports into Europe.
Continue ReadingPelmar and Cincinnati Retread Systems Partner in Retreading/Recycling Distribution Deal
Pelmar Engineering Ltd. has teamed up with Cincinnati Retread Systems (CRS) to distribution tyre reteading and recycling machinery on a global scale. The deal sees Pelmar, a leading supplier of pre-owned, reconditioned and new machinery and engineering solutions for the polymer industry, open up its distribution network of 6 subsidiaries and 10 representatives worldwide to CRS in order for both companies to reach further. CRS specializes in manufacturing Tyre Buffers, Expandable Hubs and Rims, Tyre Mulchers, Pollution Controls and Classifiers. Todd Hunsche, CRS president of the machinery division said: “In today’s global marketplace our presence in strategic locations that are beyond our reach, will now be reached thanks to cooperation with Pelmar’s global access. Pelmar and CRS will promote machinery and engineering services that will result in additional customers for both of us.”
Continue ReadingBridgestone Predicts Breakeven Net Income
Bridgestone, reports Bloomberg, has reduced its full year prediction to breakeven in line with continuing vehicle sales declines. The manufacturer had previously set its net income forecast at 3 billion yen (£19.1 billion), but in a statement delivered to the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the company suggested that the global recession has driven down demand for new vehicles and with it the need for OE tyres. Therefore the company went through with its May promise to revise its targets, concluding that it will sell fewer units in Japan, Europe and America. However, cost reduction programmes and declining raw materials prices mean that, for the first half of the year, Bridgestone now predicts a loss of 46 billion yen, 16 billion less than the original forecast of a 62 billion yen loss.
Continue ReadingMichelin Announces Repurchase Results
Michelin has published the results of a recent repurchase procedure, however the company states that the information may not be published, distributed or transmitted into the United States of America. So if you are located in this country, do not even think of clicking on the “more” link…
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