Michelin Launches American Le Mans Green X Challenge
Michelin announced today that it would become the title sponsor of the “Michelin Green X Challenge,” supporting its stated commitment to a cleaner, more fuel-efficient race series. Beginning at the 2009 ALMS season opener in Sebring, the award will be presented at each race to one prototype and one GT team demonstrating the best overall performance, fuel efficiency and least environmental impact throughout the length of the race. “Stretching fuel in competition wins races. Lowering fuel consumption for consumers stretches wallets at a time when saving money and saving the planet are both top concerns,” said Scott Clark, COO, Michelin Americas Small Tires. “Providing support to the American Le Mans Series through the Michelin Green X Challenge is a natural fit for us and together with our partners, we can help encourage teams and manufacturers to demonstrate a cleaner, more fuel-efficient way to race, while maintaining performance and the spirit of competition.”
Continue ReadingBrityrex09 Doing ‘Buoyant Business’
Further details of September’s Brityrex exhibition in Manchester have been announced by ECI International. These include a series of new exhibitors who have signed-up for the UK industry’s only dedicated tyre trade event in 2009 and a workshop programme organised by show sponsor the NTDA. Brityrex09 will take place from the 22-24 September 2009 at Manchester Central, formerly known as G-Mex. The show is sponsored by the NTDA, who will stage its highly popular Annual Dinner and TAFF Awards presentation as part of the event, on the evening of 23 September. Brityrex continues to attract exhibitors eager to buck the downturn by promoting their businesses to UK and international buyers. Among recent signings are Chinese tyre manufacturer Techking; leading electronics and diagnostics supplier Robert Bosch, who will share a 133 square metre stand space with workshop equipment specialist Beissbarth; Majorlift Hydraulics Equipment; Autogem Motor Concepts and Profil SP.J. Daly Tyres, the Irish tyre and alloy wheel wholesaler is another new exhibitor; the company is the exclusive distributor of the Kenda, Firenza and Infinity tyre brands in Ireland. They join other big names from the aftermarket who have already committed to the show, including tyre manufacturers Toyo and Uniroyal Truck Tyres; major wholesalers in KRT and BITS; workshop equipment specialists Beissbarth, Haweka and Hofmann Megaplan; repair materials, tools and accessories supplier Apaseal; plus IT and software companies MAM and Team Systems. According to ECI managing director Paul Farrant, aftermarket suppliers are taking a very positive view of the exhibition, refusing to let the economic downturn deter them: “There is certainly a feeling that the aftermarket is better equipped to ride out the recession than those automotive businesses involved in OE supply or new car sales,” he said. “The fact that many private motorists and businesses will be keeping their vehicles longer than normal means there will be extra replacement sales and servicing work which can insulate the sector from direct exposure to the worst effects of the slowdown. Brityrex will be a great place to do business for those companies who approach it with that sense of optimism,” added Mr Farrant. With many tyre and fast-fit retailers involved in mechanical and MOT work the announcement of a joint workshop majoring on the business of MOT testing by the NTDA and the Garage Equipment Association (GEA) will be of significant interest to show visitors. The NTDA has also linked up with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to run a working session on the subject of manual handling of tyres, which is regarded as a critical subject in terms of injury prevention and awareness among tyre retailers and wholesalers. Paul Farrant explained further: “Brityrex is all about improving your business by meeting new customers and suppliers and picking up knowledge and information that can help in the workplace. That’s why these workshops will be so valuable to trade visitors; they will provide the latest information on important subjects in a short and snappy fashion at no cost to delegates.”
Continue ReadingSchaeffler Employees to Start Short-Time Working
German news sources are reporting that Schaeffler Group is planning seems for most of its 25 German locations to work on short-time schedules for half a year. According to Tyres & Accessories’ German sister publication, Neue ReifenZeitung, the reports were confirmed by Schaeffler spokesman Detlef Sieverdingbeck on 2 February. The specific terms reportedly differ depending on location. The news mainly affects employees in the Automotive division, according to the Financial Times. Meanwhile, at the end of last week Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly turned down Schaeffler Group’s application for federal loan support. Schaeffler, the majority shareholder of Continental AG, is currently carrying around 22 billion euros of debt after taking over Conti. In an interview with Germany’s Bild newspaper, Merkel said: “We won’t pay the bill for risky company decisions.” For his part, Christian Wulff, prime minister of Lower Saxony, said the Schaeffler family and banks need to act before the government does anything. So while the chances of federal loan support are slim, the possibility of the regional government guaranteeing the 3 to 5 billion euros of new capital the company is said to be asking for, is not completely out of the question.
Continue ReadingObama Puts His Name to Goodyear-Ledbetter Law
During his ninth day in office, new US President Barack Obama placed his signature on the first bill to become law under his administration. And with this stroke of his pen a legal fight that traces its origins back to a Goodyear plant’s shop floor has finally been settled. Some 18 months after the US Supreme Court declared Lily Ledbetter’s fight against her employer unlawful due to the delay between the alleged grievance and complaint, Obama has overturned the ruling in a move many are viewing as a landmark decision for American women.
Continue ReadingNet Loss for Ceat in Last Quarter
India’s Ceat Ltd has reported a net loss for the quarter year to December 21, 2008. According to the tyre maker, losses for the period amounted to Rs 216.4 million (£3.1 million). During the corresponding quarter of 2007 the company posted a net profit of Rs 192.3 million (£2.7 million). A net loss was recorded despite an increase in quarterly sales. In a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange, Ceat reported company earnings rising from Rs 5.69 billion (£80.4 million) in the final three months of 2007 to Rs 5.93 (£83.8 million) billion last year.
Continue ReadingTyreGenics Enters Administration
Some 18 months after opening, the TyreGenics recycling joint venture in Baglan, South Wales, has been placed into administration. The £4 million, 80 tonne per day capacity facility was developed by major shareholder Credential Environmental along with BOC, FieldTurf Tarkett and RTI Cryogenics, and began operation in July 2007. From the outset it was announced that FieldTurf had committed to purchasing 70 per cent of output for the first three years, yet in spite of this assured market the facility has been affected by dwindling demand.
Continue ReadingThe 3rd Azerbaijan International Spare Parts, Accessories and Service Equipment Exhibition
The Autoparts Exhibition has become an important meeting place for the representatives of the automobile industry for exchanging information and experiences. AutoParts 2009 will present automobile parts, engines and mechanics, accumulators, electric equipment and electronics, gearboxes, exhaust systems, steering control, break systems, suspensions, automobile accessories, audiosystems, technical maintenance of automobiles, production equipment and tuning. The AutoParts exhibition is intended for exhibitors who supply materials, equipment and services for the automobile industry and automobile operation. Iteca Caspian LLC and the ITE Group are the organisers of the exhibition and The Ministry of Transport of Azerbaijan, Head Office of State Road Police and Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation offer official support. For the first time there will also be a wide range of tyres from the world’s leading manufacturers and automobile car-washers for commercial transport at the exhibition. Over 50 leading brands from European and Asian countries have confirmed their participation in the exhibition so far. Companies from Japan, Italy, Germany, Turkey, UAE, Iran, China, India, Russia, Belarus and Finland have confirmed their participation. Both the Azerbaijan automobile market and the AutoParts exhibition are increasing in size. The demand for spare parts and accessories from different manufacturing countries is not only based on local repairs, but also for buses, agricultural machinery and company cars and the many companies and entrepreneurs that are involved in the Azerbaijan automobile business. The AutoParts 2009 exhibition provides an opportunity to demonstrate and promote products from global manufacturers for repair and maintenance of automobile. AutoParts 2009 will also present the possibility to increase international contacts, sign contracts and demonstrate to visitors new products available within the Caspian market. Companies who may be interested in exhibiting or attending this show please contact:- Babek Amashov Project Manager ITE Group Plc / Iteca Caspian LLC Baku, Azerbaijan Tel: + 994 12 4474774 Fax: + 994 12 4478558 Mob: + 994 55 348 80 55 E-mail: auto@iteca.az www.autoparts.iteca.az
Continue ReadingDelticom Stores Granted TÜV Shopping Seal of Approval
European online tyre retailer Delticom has expressed ‘delight’ that its online shops have been given the seal of approval by German certifier TÜV. Starting with the company’s German ReifenDirekt.de site, fifteen of Delticom’s shopping websites have been awarded TÜV S@fer Shopping status, and the company hopes this distinction will signal to customers a safer and comfortable online purchase. There are strict requirements for the TÜV award, which is renewed every year in extensive tests. The certification focuses on a number of areas, including user-friendliness and transparency. Amongst other site qualities, TÜV requires that online customers find a clear menu navigation that allows them to complete the purchase process easily. Whether or not a site assures the protection of consumer data is another important factor taken into account.
Continue ReadingPerformance Fibers Reduces Salisbury Workforce by 20%
During the last week of January, US based fibre producer Performance Fibers announced it had laid off a fifth of the workforce at its Salisbury, North Carolina facility. The plant, which includes HMSL tyre yarn in its production portfolio, is one of the local area’s ten largest employers – although the precise number of employees affected by the layoffs is not known as Performance Fibers holds the size of its workforce at Salisbury confidential for competitive reasons. This reduction in the workforce is part of a year-long effort at Performance Fibers to right-size our manufacturing footprint to better align with the needs of our customers demands for our products, said company spokesman Jay Pomeroy. While some of these reductions were due to the economy, they are more tied to the long-term strategy of serving our customers and keeping our business profitable.
Continue ReadingMichelin to Open Serbia Logistics Centre
Serbia’s Tanjug news agency reports that Michelin intends to open a logistics centre within the country. Michelin Group managing partner Michel Rollier met with Serbian deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic during the Davos economic forum, says Tanjug, and plans were made for to establish such a facility before the middle of 2010. Also on the agenda was production capacity: “We discussed the possibility of increasing production from six million tyres a year, the current output of Tigar–Michelin Company and we will keep working on that,” added Djelic.
Continue ReadingAlcoa Continues in Forged Wheel Business
Alcoa Inc’s recently announced restructuring plan is designed to help the company weather adverse global economic conditions and as such includes “decisive action,” according to the company. However, despite what some media sources erroneously reported, Alcoa is not exiting the forged aluminium wheel business. In a statement sent to Tyres & Accessories on 2 February company said: “Alcoa will continue to produce forged aluminium wheels for both auto and commercial vehicle applications.” The confusion appears to have been caused by the fact that Alcoa is exiting the cast passenger car wheel business and will consolidate and close its Beloit, Wisconsin, plant by 1 June 2009.
Continue ReadingBridgestone’s Laubie Retires
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations today announced that Dave Laubie, long-time head of Bridgestone’s U.S. sales engineering efforts, has retired. Laubie was vice president of sales engineering, and had been with the company since 1970. His retirement was effective 1 February. William Thomas, most recently the assistant plant manager for Bridgestone Argentina, will assume Laubie’s responsibilities in the role of executive director of sales engineering. The recipient of TMC’s Silver Spark Plug Award began his career in the international division of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. and worked in a number of international posts before joining Bridgestone (USA) in 1982. He became sales engineering vice president in 2003. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingNew Look for TRIB
TRIB has unveiled a new logo, and has made it available to members to use on their stationery, buildings, service trucks, or other materials. The stylised logo features the letters ”TRIB” encased in an oval and partially wrapped with a green and black swoosh depicting a roadway. The new mark can be downloaded from the Members Only section of the TRIB website. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingSchaeffler Walks Away Without State Aid After Initial Talks
Schaeffler Group and Continental AG walked away empty handed from financial support talks with federal ministers. They also received this advice: a “viable and forward-looking” plan, agreed on with creditors, is “a prerequisite for further negotiations.” According to an earlier Reuters report, Schaeffler Group had “sounded out” the German government about the possibility of 4 billion euros ($5.23 billion) in capital. The Federal talks came after talks with German states, including Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Baden-Wuerttemberg were unsuccessful. For its part Bavaria’s government said only loan guarantees would be considered. The delegation will have to rethink its approach after German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck said taxpayers wouldn’t be funding Schaeffler: “It’s not the job of the state to intervene in cases in which business decisions were possibly not thought through enough,” Steinbrueck Berliner Zeitung.
Continue ReadingPYReco to Build Heat Degradation Tyre Recycler
Tyre recycling firm PYReco plans to build a pioneering £80 million tyre recycling plant in North East England, the first of its kind in Europe. The scheme is underway thanks, in part, to the support of Renew, an organisation tasked with driving a low carbon and sustainability agenda with industry in the region. The plant will be built at the South Tees Eco Park (STEP) in Tees Valley by 2010. It will use the relatively novel process of pyrolysis, a method of degrading material through heat, to recycle 60,000 tonnes of used tyres a year, the equivalent of 7.5 million tyres, without waste or harmful emissions. It is estimated that plant will create 90 jobs for the region. Traditionally the uncompromising properties of the material have meant that tyres have been difficult to re-cycle, most often burnt in cement kilns. PYReco’s plant will provide a closed loop recycling route, breaking down used tyres into their component parts capable of being used in the production of brand new units.
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