The Delivery Company Wins RMA Green Fleet Award
The Delivery Company has confirmed its credentials as an environmentally-friendly company by scooping the Green Fleet Award presented by the Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA). The Award was presented to Douglas Wright of the Delivery Company by RMA Director David Wilson at the Rubber Industry Dinner held Chesford Grange in Kenilworth on 15 May. The Green Fleet of the Year Award is presented by the RMA to recognise fleets who have been particularly supportive to the retreading industry. The Delivery Company is a trading division of PaperlinX Services (Europe) Ltd) and has a fleet of 350 vehicles operating throughout the UK delivering paper, board and plastics. As part of an initiative to reduce their carbon footprint, the Delivery Company not only adopted a managed, new and remould, tyre policy, they also introduced a number of other actions aimed at reducing emissions.
Continue ReadingGajah Tunggal Offers to Exchange $420 Million of Bonds
Bloomberg reports that PT Gajah Tunggal TbK is offering to exchange US$420 million of 10.25 per cent bonds due in 2010 for new notes maturing in 2014. The Indonesian tyremaker said in a statement that it will exchange the debt at par for noteholders responding to the offer by June 26, and at 95 per cent of face value for those that wait until July 3.
Continue ReadingPirelli Carlisle Shutdown Planned for Late June
A further temporary closure of Pirelli’s Carlisle factory is scheduled for late June. The company reports that reduced demand for tyres in European markets is the reason behind the June 27 to July 1 shutdown. Production at the Carlisle site had been increased in May in response to anticipated market stabilisation, however company management reports that short-term demand has reached their “optimistic prediction.”
Continue ReadingDunlop Roadsmart Apprehended as OE for US Police Bikes
BMW Motorrad has approved the Dunlop Roadsmart for use on all R 1200 RT-P police motorcycles in use in the US. The Roadsmart is designed to provide longer tyre life; the multi-compound rear tyre incorporates a longer-wearing compound in the tread centre along with a lateral grip compound in the shoulders for performance when cornering. “Operating costs for police motors are a major issue for most agencies,” observed Frank Stevens, Authority Program Manager, BMW Motorrad USA.
Continue ReadingMichelin Opens Door to Earthmover Tyre Test Centre
Around 140 earthmover dealers converged upon the Spanish provincial capital Almeria in early June. And while the port city’s mild climate is perfect for year-round swimming and its architecture conveys a strong Moroccan flavour, the assembled party were not in town for a short sightseeing holiday – Almeria is also home to the Michelin Technology Center, the world’s largest facility devoted exclusively to the development of earthmover tyres. And awaiting the European dealer continent was an assortment of equipment ready for hands-on testing.
Continue ReadingMaximum Safety at High Speeds
Today it is entirely possibly to purchase a road legal set of tyres rated for speeds above 185 miles per hour. Yet the faster a tyre’s rotation speed, the higher the resulting centrifugal acceleration will be. IN order to avoid the possibility of smoky scraps of shredded tread appearing in the rear view mirror, these UHP tyres must be designed to handle such extreme centrifugal forces. This can be accommodated by the use of jointless bandages composed of rubberised nylon or hybrid cords, which can absorb extremely high forces.
Continue ReadingIndia’s ATMA Seeks NR Duty Reduction
India’s Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) is seeking to have the customs duty on natural rubber waived in order to help domestic manufacturers compete against imported tyres. The issue was undoubtedly raised when Apollo Tyres chairman and managing director Onkar S Kanwar met with officials from India’s finance ministry on behalf of the ATMA in early June; as part of its pre-budget memorandum, the industry association has requested a reduction in the customs duty on natural rubber to 10 per cent from the current 20 per cent level. Alternatively, it has been suggested that the duty on the import of tyres could be raised to 20 per cent. Tyre imports from China and Korea, which account for nearly 80 per cent of all imports, currently attract 8.6 per cent duty under the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Dunlop Presents BioTred2 at Cereals Show
On the 10 and 11 June Goodyear Dunlop’s UK Farm and OTR team were present at the UK Cereals Show in Cambridge, an event widely acknowledged as the leading technical event for the UK arable industry. The team were out in full force presenting the Goodyear and Dunlop farm tyre ranges to the 30,000-plus farmers who attended the annual show. The team presented the new BioTred2 tyre on their stand. BioTred2 is the latest in farm tyre development using vegetal oil instead of crude oil in the processing phase of its manufacture. Goodyear Dunlop reports that the tyre generated heavy interest from consumers and vehicle manufacturers in addition to the press coverage generated by its presence at the show. For example, the tyre was featured in an online video overview of the event. Additionally, key fitments were spotted around the show: on the JCB exhibition stand, two of their new 7000 series Fastrac machines were equipped with Optitrac R+.
Continue ReadingCMA Launches Tyres, Government Price Programme in USA
The new products, unveiled this week at CMA’s new Memphis warehouse, include fuel-efficient medium truck radials and a new 57-inch OTR radial for mining service. Now available are the Double Coin FR605, FD405 and FT105, described as “ultra-premium fuel-efficient tyres available for steer, drive and trailer positions;” a new mixed service tyre in the Double Coin RR202, an ultra-premium five-rib highway service tire; and the Double Coin RR680 and low-profile RT600 regional all-position/steer tyres. The Double Coin REM-11, in size 3700R57, was developed, said CMA, for “severe mining and haulage applications.” The giant OTR line features heat and cut/chip resistant compounds, application specific patterns for improved traction and longer original tread life; and a durable casing for retreadability. The net pricing programme, said CMA, “enables federal, state, and local government entities and municipalities to purchase high-quality Double Coin TBR and radial OTR products at net pricing” through CMA’s dealer network. “Many of our products have been purchased by school bus fleets, government vehicles and other municipalities for some time through the local dealer network,” notes Walt Weller, CMA vice president. “This program formally publishes a TBR and OTR schedule and contract number so that anyone who requires a published program can participate in utilizing Double Coin’s value-laden products.” (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingEuro RSCG Bangkok Wins Goodyear Ad Contract
Brandrepublic.asia has reported that Goodyear has appointed advertising agency Euro RSCG Bangkok to find a concept for advertising the new brand DuraPlus in Asia. The DuraPlus is reported to be Goodyear’s entrance to the value-conscious segment of the Asia market, since its key attributes point towards longevity. Matthew Fanshawe, the CEO of the ad-firm, told Brandrepublic that, “The fact that Goodyear is a regional win highlights our ability to engage consumers across different markets with strong ideas, delivering the best result possible for our clients.”
Continue ReadingDeutsche Bank Upgrades Pirelli Stock
Deutsche Bank upgraded Pirelli to buy in London today. According to The Wall Street Journal the broker said that the stock is likely to outperform estimates. While a capital increase at Pirelli Real Estate is partially to thank for the prediction, it is the improvement forecast in the company’s tyre division from the second quarter that explains the new categorisation. Deutsche also believes that steps will be taken to reduce the holding discount. Shares climbed 4.7 per cent in Milan.
Continue ReadingMichelin Man Keeps US Motorists Under Pressure
Motorists in the US now have another safe driving resource at their fingertips, thanks to Michelin North America and the Clemson University Automotive Safety Research Institute (CU-ASRI). The two organisations celebrated their long-standing partnership on June 11 with the dedication of a new safety initiative, and took the occasion to remind drivers that proper tyre inflation pressure is a key automotive safety component and a boost to fuel efficiency. The two parties selected the US National Tire Safety Week to dedicate their new tyre inflation station. The facility, situated near the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research, shouldn’t be difficult to locate – Michelin notes that the Michelin Tire Inflation Station features a six-foot tall replica of Bibendum, the instantly recognisable Michelin Man.
Continue ReadingMay China Tyre Production Reaches 62.35m Units
Tyre production in China during May 2009 rose 21.21 per cent year on year and 7.2 per cent over the previous month to 62.35 million units, the country’s National Bureau of Statistics has announced. The Bureau’s figures total production in the period from January to May 2009 show a 6.6 per cent increase to 237.7 million units Synthetic rubber production fell 8 per cent year on year to 199,000 tons in May, but for the January to May period increased 0.2 per cent year on year to 1.02 million tons.
Continue ReadingBrisa 2008 Results Show Sales Increase but Profits Down
Turkish manufacturer Brisa achieved net sales of 772,203,901 Turkish liras (£306.1 million) in the year ended December 31, 2008. This result disclosed in the company’s audited statement of income, represents a 2.9 per cent increase on the previous year. Operating income, at 48,709,571 liras (£19.3 million), was down 26.1 per cent on the 2007 financial year, and although profits of 31,795,956 (£12.6 million) liras were 49.1 per cent lower than the previous year, Brisa remained in the black during the year. The company’s domestic sales came to 610,590,748 liras (£242.0 million), a rise of 5.8 per cent. Exports declined 1.2 per cent during the year to 247,181,348 liras (£98.0 million).
Continue ReadingToyo Driver Gordon Wins Baja 500
Victory in the 41st Baja 500 has gone to Toyo supported US driver Robby Gordon. Gordon, driving a Chevrolet truck fitted with Toyo 37 x 13.50 R17 Open Country M/T-R race tyres, covered the 700 kilometre Mexican race at an average of around 80 km/h, enough to give him wins in two of the season’s three races. I am really excited with the way that the Toyo tyres performed in the Baja 500, commented Gordon. We had zero flat tyres and very good management. With a tyre that performs like this, it is going to make it tough for the competition to beat us.
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