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Robert (Rob) Freeman, Malvern Tyres Group managing director and chairman, died on Thursday 29 April 2021 after a short illness. According to the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), which made the announcement, the NTDA reflects the feelings of the tyre business, with the team at Aylesbury “deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of leading UK tyre industry figure Rob Freeman”.
Tyre production at the Continental plant in Aachen, Germany will cease at the end of next year, if not earlier. This is one of the outcomes of talks between the company and representatives of Aachen plant employees. Continental has also published details of upcoming retraining programmes.
Sales of Michelin tyres were 7.5 per cent higher in the first quarter of 2021 compared with a year earlier. This rise in sales volumes was driven by 20 per cent year-on-year market growth for truck tyres in the first quarter of 2021 and nine per cent market growth for car and light truck tyres.
An in-depth study into the impact of traffic and tillage on soil compaction has found agricultural machinery running low pressure Michelin Ultraflex Technology tyres could boost farmers’ yields by 4 per cent, helping to ‘feed the world’ for years to come. Harper Adams University – a specialist provider of higher education for the agricultural and rural sector – has been leading the investigation, utilising one site at its campus in Newport and another site in the USA in conjunction with the University of Illinois.
In spite of weaker volumes in recent times, truck tyre retreading remains an established part of the commercial vehicle tyre market. In contrast and despite obvious environmental advantages, the use of retreading to give car tyres a second life has long been little more than a niche business. But this may change and car tyre retreading may one day re-enter the mainstream.
With the launch of Kwik Fit Club membership, the UK’s largest tyre retail has become the latest to offer a tyres-as-a-service style wheel and tyre subscription offer. Initially, the Kwik Fit Club service is being piloted in the North West and Yorkshire regions, with a national roll out to follow this summer.
Kwik Fit Club membership sees drivers pay a monthly subscription which covers all their tyre wear, including repairs and premium tyre replacement, wheel alignment and six-monthly health checks. They also have the option to include their MOT and servicing costs. Drivers can join the programme and keep track of their subscription through an app, and although they can nominate a ‘home garage’, their membership can be used at any of Kwik Fit’s 600-plus centres across the country.
Giti Tire’s GitiSynergyH2 high performance tyre in now available on the European aftermarket. The tyre’s original equipment derivative has already secured several fitments with the Volkswagen Group. The tyre is initially available in 17 sizes between 15” and 18”, section widths 185-235, series sizes 50-65 and with speed indices T, H, V, W and Y. Aimed primarily at compact and family cars, crossover vehicles and small SUVs, a further 25 additional sizes will follow throughout the year. On the EU label, the GitiSynergyH2 is rated A in wet grip and A-C in rolling resistance.
The association representing the UK’s retreading industry is no longer a member of European retreading trade association BIPAVER. According to the Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA), its departure from BIPAVER on 31 December 2020 is unrelated to Brexit.
As of 24 April, the Marangoni factory in Brazil is 20 years old. Inaugurated in 2001, the plant in Minas Gerais state was instrumental in introducing the Ringtread system to markets throughout Latin America, and as such has fulfilled Marangoni’s mission of providing tyre retreaders and their customers with “a higher quality product” suited to a continent that’s home to one of the world’s largest road networks.
Michelin Tyre will sponsor the inaugural Responsible Recycler Scheme (RRS) Member of the Year Award in 2021. The National Tyre Distributors Association has added the accolade to its suite of Tyre Industry Awards, recognising its closer ties with the Tyre Recovery Association. The TRA’s Responsible Recycler Scheme has promoted best practice in tyre recycling for many years, while the sector has been generating increased interest with several key investments announced over the past 18 months. The award reflects the rising profile of tyre recycling in the UK, with the associations recognising the need to promote the best performing companies in this vital industry. Michelin’s sponsorship of the award joins the manufacturer’s commitment to switch to 100 per cent renewable, recycled and bio-based materials for its tyres by 2050, restated recently as part of the manufacturer’s strategic framework.
Michelin has shared a few key details about its new AgriBib Row Crop IF, a range of Improved Flexion tyres designed specifically for use on self-propelled and trailed sprayers and on low to medium horsepower row crop tractors from 70 to 180HP. According to the manufacturer, this newest addition to its agricultural tyre range offers farmers and contractors three major benefits.
The largest player in the USA’S tyre recycling sector will soon have a new owner. Global investment firm The Carlyle Group has agreed to sell Liberty Tire Recycling to ECP, a 2005-founded investor across energy transition and decarbonisation infrastructure assets. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021. The parties have not disclosed financial details.
Retreading specialist Marangoni considers both the performance and appearance of its products the “main Marangoni goal” when developing new solutions. Marangoni notes that while reliability, durability and performance are “indispensable requirements” for a premium retreaded tyre, it has observed a “growing request” from fleets for greater attention to detail and accuracy in tyre aesthetics.
At the unveiling of its ‘Michelin in Motion’ strategic plan on 8 April, the Michelin Group presented a strategy for 2030 that shows a determination to expand in non-tyre businesses. In this spirit of expansion beyond tyres, yesterday the company announced the signing of a Partnership Agreement with Altaris Capital Partners.
Automated vehicle inspection company ProovStation is adopting a Michelin technology in order to enhance its artificial intelligence-based car inspection solution. The addition of Michelin QuickScan will enable ProovStation to “check tyre wear automatically and instantaneously with millimetre precision.”
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