Vredestein has announced the appointment of Giovanni Masinelli as global brand head Vredestein, joining the global marketing team based in Apollo Vredestein’s London office. He will start operating in his new role on 1 November 2013, reporting to Marco Paracciani, chief marketing officer, global.
In its 2013 medium-term plan, Bridgestone Corporation reported its intention to implement English as an official company language. This measure was also discussed by company CEO Masaaki Tsuya at a press briefing held in Tokyo on 16 October; he said the step was been taken as part of the 2013MTP plan of becoming “truly global”.
Pirelli has launched two fitments for the recently launched Alfa Romeo 4C. The new 4C lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 8:04 on the P Zero Trofeo tyres – a new Alfa Romeo record – which were developed in less than a year of intense work between Pirelli and Alfa Romeo engineers. The car has the option of fitting 17” on the front and 18” on the back, or 18” on the front and 19” on the back.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has been named a Thomson Reuters 2013 Top 100 Global Innovator for the third successive year. “This recognition is further evidence of Goodyear’s ability to drive innovation,” stated chairman and chief executive officer Richard J Kramer. One of the world’s oldest tyre manufacturers, Goodyear has a lengthy history of innovations, including the first all-season radial tyre and environmentally friendly concepts like the use of soybean oil and BioIsoprene in tyres.
The relationship between Kumho Tire and the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team will continue for a fourth consecutive year. Kumho Tire USA has renewed its status as “Official Tire of the Los Angeles Lakers” for the 2013-2014 season; as such, it will be represented at home games on signage and will enjoy increased visibility on the Lakers.com website, which it claims is the “NBA’s most visited team site.”
Within the coming 12 months, Bridgestone Corporation will close its steel cord facility in Kuroiso, Japan and consolidate production into its remaining Japanese steel cord plant, Saga. The company says these measures will commence immediately and it expects to complete them by late September 2014.
After a weak start to the year, replacement market tyre sales in Europe displayed signs of recovery in the third quarter; unit sales for the first nine months of 2013 are almost at the same level as the same period last year.
Apollo Vredestein has been named one of The Netherland’s best employers. The Best Employer (Beste Werkgevers) 2013 awards were presented in Amsterdam on 8 October, and the tyre maker was ranked the third best employer in the 1,000+ employee category, behind airline KLM and non-profit organisation Stichting Buurtzorg.
Alex Lowes and Shane Byrne left Silverstone with only a point separating them in the MCE British Superbike Championship going into the Brands Hatch finale. Pirelli, the tyre supplier of the series, declared itself particularly pleased with the longevity of the new for 2013 Diablo Superbike SC1 rear soft tyre during the weekend, while anticipating an exciting final round on 18-20 October.
The organisers of the Bologna Motor Show have announced that the 38th edition has been cancelled. According to GL events, the central reason was “the total lack of the car manufacturer,” which are of course absolutely key to the presentation of an automotive exhibition.
Titan International has announced the closing of its offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875 per cent Senior Secured Notes, due 2020.
Titan intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to finance the purchase of the Company’s 7.875 per cent Senior Secured Notes due 2017 validly tendered pursuant to a tender offer and consent solicitation which it commenced on September 23, 2013, and to pay all consent payments, accrued interest, costs and expenses associated therewith.
Bridgestone has entered into a deal to supply tyres for Mercedes-Benz’s Driving Events, the outfit in charge of all driver training and driving experiences at the German car maker. A range of tyres from the Potenza, Turanza, Dueler and Blizzak ranges will be fitted to the full range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles used during all 36 Mercedes-Benz driving events.
ŠKODA Motorsport driver Jan Kopecký says that becoming the 2013 FIA European Rally Champion is “a dream come true”, after he clinched the title with victory on Rally Croatia.
Kopecký and co-driver Pavel Dresler made a risk-free start in Croatia, before showing their class on the slippery asphalt roads along the Adriatic coast and moving into the lead in their factory ŠKODA Fabia S2000.
At the end of the Silverstone meeting there are five drivers in contention for the 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. While Andrew Jordan is in command after extending his advantage, two wins for Jason Plato and another for reigning champion Gordon Shedden kept their respective title hopes alive. Two other former champions in Matt Neal and Colin Turkington are also in contention in the final three races of the season at Brands Hatch in two weeks’ time.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries has published the English-language version of its "CSR Report 2013", which was originally released in Japanese in June. The report details the group’s corporate social responsibility activities during 2012.
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