Goodyear ending Sumitomo alliance due to “anti-competitive” behaviour
At the tail-end of Goodyears full-year 2013 results conference call, Laura Thompson (executive vice-president and CFO) appeared to suggest that the key reason Goodyear has opted to end its global alliance with Sumitomo is because the Japanese firm has engaged in alleged “anti-competitive” behaviour: “Sumitomo has engaged in anti-competitive conduct in relation to anti-trust laws and we think that warrants a dissolution of the partnership. On January 10 we began arbitration to dissolve the partnership.” As a result the American company could be poised to buy out Sumitomos joint venture shares.
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Goodyear wants to end Sumitomo Rubber tyre joint venture
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd has asked Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. to end the two companies’ tyre joint venture in Europe and alliances in Japan and the US. According to a report published by the Kyodo news agency and reproduced by numerous sources online, the increasing influence of emerging economies (as opposed to the mature markets in the cooperation) is behind the move. A Japanese language statement on Sumitomos corporate website appears to confirm the report. Tyres & Accessories is seeking further confirmation and comment on this breaking news and will publish additional details as they become available.
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A double win for Conti at TTI Awards
The winners of the Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence 2014 have been announced, and Continental has walked away with awards in two of the five regular categories. In addition to being named Tire Manufacturer of the Year, the German firm was recipient of the Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year award for its ContiLifeCycle facility in Hannover. Other winners included Bridgestone, VMI and Sumitomo Rubber Industries. The awards were presented at a gala dinner held during this week’s Tire Technology Expo in Cologne.
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Conti launches WinterContact TS 850 P winter tyre in Austrian alps
Last month Tyres & Accessories published an exclusive preview of the 2014 additions to Continental’s mid-European and Nordic winter tyre stables. The central story was that Conti has launched the new Continental WinterContact TS 850 P. In addition T&A also got the opportunity to experience the performance of the new product’s 4x4 variant, the WinterContact TS 830 P SUV. Key facts includes that the TS 850 P outperforms its predecessor both dry road snow handling and braking. The products also raise the label scores from EC to CC territory. Both tyres will be available from the Autumn.
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Cooper Tire Europe sponsoring Arsenal
Cooper Tire Europe has announced that it is sponsoring Arsenal Football Club in a multi-year deal. The partnership, which will begin before the start of the 2014/15 season, will see the Melksham-based tyre manufacturer become an official partner to the north London club. The exclusive sponsorship designates the Cooper brand as the first “Official Tyre of Arsenal Football Club for Europe, Russia, Middle East, South Africa and selected north African countries and links the company’s passion for performance to football through the development of various advertising campaigns, consumer marketing programmes and promotions. No details of how much has been invested in the partnership have been revealed.
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Wheels India announces new Xbrite wheel finish, ‘multi-million pound’ xlite investment
Maker of forged aluminium xlite wheels, Wheels India (WIL) has made a “multi-million pound” investment in its manufacturing facility. WIL said the investment has helped it set up a “state-of-the-art facility to meet increased demand for xlite forged aluminium wheels.” The manufacturer said that it will launch the next generation of its Xbrite wheel finish in the spring.
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‘The Ventus Experience’ – Hankook celebrates premium approvals
One of the most effective means of elevating brand awareness is through original equipment fitments, and after rising through the ranks of aftermarket tyre suppliers, Hankook Tire is busy assembling a portfolio of new vehicle approvals that place it in league with the world’s best-known and trusted tyre brands. The list of Hankook original equipment approvals from the last few months alone includes fitments for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and E-Class, plus the BMW 5-Series and X5. These deals come at a time of growth for Hankook’s performance tyre business – as evidenced by the 12.9 per cent year-on-year rise in European UHP tyre sales during 2013 – and Hankook is in the mood to celebrate its success. The tyre maker recently invited journalists from Europe and beyond to Spain in order to get to know the company and its latest Ventus lines a little better.
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Apollo Tyres building UK dealer network at ‘iconic venue’ events
Apollo Vredestein UK managing director Stuart Jackson revealed several strategic details with which Apollo plans to grow its brand in the UK. Apollo is to introduce a truck and bus tyre range and expand its passenger car tyre lines into a fourth generation, with a sizeable investment in UK marketing “to support brand growth.” The tyre manufacturer will also develop its links with Manchester United, both as a partner in a sports facility initiative and as a significant branding opportunity, with video and print marketing materials featuring the purple of Apollo and the red of the Stretford team.
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Dunlop: Motorsport tyre production is leaving Birmingham
Dunlop is set to transfer its European motorsport tyre production to plants in France and Germany, following confirmation from the company that there are no viable plans for its manufacturing operation to stay in the UK when the lease for its Erdington home expires on 1 September 2014. The company reports that it has begun consulting with affected employees and Union representatives of the Erdington site. 241 jobs, mainly in the manufacturing part of the operation will be affected, however company representatives told Tyres & Accessories that Dunlop remains committed to motorsport tyre production and as such wants to retain talent – especially in specialist fields such as research and development – wherever possible.
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Aeolus appoints KRT exclusive UK PCR distributor
Aeolus has extended its exclusive UK distribution agreement with Kings Road Tyres (KRT) to include its passenger car tyre range. The fast growing tyre manufacturer, noted in European tyre markets mainly for its OTR and commercial vehicle products, has previously announced its intention to exhibit its PCR products on its stand at Reifen 2014, held at Messe Essen on 27-30 May. KRT previously announced its intention to give a then unnamed PCR range its UK market debut in Manchester at October’s Brityrex International exhibition.
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Cooper Tire gives Chengshan option to buy, values CCT at US$435 million
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has signed an agreement with Chengshan Group Company Ltd. According to the Findlay, Ohio-based tyremaker, the deal begins with the commitment that the Chinese joint venture Cooper Chengshan Tire (CCT) business will be independently valued and is said to position Cooper to resume regular financial reporting. Tyres & Accessories understands that the deal sets a floor value of at least US$435 million for the total company and perhaps more if the independent valuation comes in higher. Cooper’s share price rose 2.75 per cent (correct at time of publication) in response to the news.
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Sailun involved in Kings Road Tyres acquisition
Tyre manufacturer Sailun has confirmed to Tyrepress an “indirect interest” in Kings Road Tyres. While the direct players in the investment group have yet to be fully confirmed, Sailun’s indirect interest gives some indication of potential tyre industry figures involved in the partnership, confirmed to involve Chinese, European and North American interests.
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Goodyear coach tyres anticipate 2018 EU vehicle weight increases
Coach travel’s status as one of the most fuel efficient modes of transport will be boosted further by an increase of the EU weight limit for passenger service vehicles to 19 tonnes. To maximise the efficiency and profitability further – as well as to comply with safety requirements – premium tyre manufacturers in particular are readying their commercial vehicle ranges, with specialised lines delivering load capacity increases and improved, coach-specific characteristics. Goodyear states that its Marathon Coach and Ultra Grip Coach tyres have been developed with load capacities in anticipation of regulation changes proposed by the European Union.
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TREC: Michelin partners to extract alcohol and rubber from used tyres
Four French companies are partnering in a project to develop further applications for used tyres. Work is being carried out under the TREC project name and Michelin’s leadership; TREC is backed by a €51 million budget that extends over an eight year period and includes €13.3 million that Frances Agency for the Environment and Energy Management (ADEME) is providing to Michelin and one other partner, SDTech, as part of the French government’s “Investing in the Future” programme. The project covers all stages of research and development processes, from the definition of scientific concepts to pilot testing and validation on an industrial demonstrator. Michelin says at least one of the project’s outcomes is expected to tie in with the BioButterfly project that began last year.
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“The Tire Cologne” – details of show to rival “Reifen” announced
Between 29 May and 1 June 2018, a new exhibition aimed at the international tyre industry will take place in Germany. “The Tire Cologne”, as the show will be called, will be supported by current Reifen show main sponsor the BRV (the German Federal Association of the Tyre Trade and the Vulcanisers’ Skilled Trade), and the plan is to hold the event every two years. Regular Reifen exhibition visitors may already note that the dates for The Tire Cologne coincide with this year’s show week in Essen and, presumably, those planned for future events – a sign that the BRV and Koelnmesse consider the future Cologne trade exhibition the heir apparent to the European tyre show throne.
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