Africa
Apollo Tyres has rolled out its product range in the Nigerian market and the tyre maker has appointed the Stallion Group, a conglomerate that already boasts partnerships with several global vehicle manufacturers, as its representative within the country.
Following on from the company’s presence as an exhibitor in Africa, UK based tyre wholesaler – Treadsetters (part of the TIA Group) recently took their global promotion of its products and services to the South American continent.
South Africa’s REDISA (Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa) reports that the REDISA Integrated Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan has been approved by Edwina Molewa, the country’s Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs. The plan was gazetted on 23 July 2012, and REDISA notes that a 60-day period for affected parties to comply and for producers to subscribe applies.
Although overall sales, volumes and operating income all decreased year-on-year, Goodyear Tire & Rubber nevertheless managed to increase its revenue per tyre in the second quarter of 2012. The US tyre maker reports sales of $5.2 billion during the three months to 30 June, eight per cent lower than in the second quarter of 2011 and reflecting weaker economic conditions and unfavourable foreign currency translation. Operating income decreased $46 million year-on-year to $336 million. Tyre unit volumes totalled 39.2 million in the quarter, down nine per cent from 2011 and reflecting weaker replacement sector volumes, most notably in Europe. Revenue per tyre increased eight per cent, while net income amounted to $85 million (33 cents per share), up from $40 million (16 cents per share) in the 2011 quarter.
Dunlop has increased the speed rating of its popular mobile crane tyre due to customer demand. The new version of the SP ER50 sees the permissible speed increased to 80 km/h. The Dunlop 445/95R25 SP ER50 tyre is specifically designed for all-terrain cranes.
Amongst a raft of personnel changes announced by Bridgestone on 20 July is one affecting former Bridgestone Europe CEO and president Makio Ohasi. The ex-Bridgestone Europe boss has held the post of vice-president and officer of the company’s Asia Pacific, China, Middle East, Africa and Russia Tire Business Operations division since the start of the year, and concurrently served as a director within the division. Effective 1 September, Ohasi will relinquish these roles and take on the position of vice-president, officer and chief quality officer Specialty Tire Business.
Recent restructuring to Apollo Tyres’ Research and Development team is aimed at creating “synergy and greater alignment to the company’s growth aspirations, and to generate speed and relevance while entering new markets,” the tyre maker states. Apollo has restructured its team across the three key regions where it operates and established a structure in which the development of commercial vehicle tyres will be directed from India and passenger car tyres from Europe. The heads of both operations will report directly to Neeraj Kanwar, vice-chairman and managing director of Apollo Tyres.
The Goodyear Lastikleri Board announces the appointment of Emin Ozkan as managing director Goodyear Lastikleri TAS, Turkey, effective 30 July 2012, reporting to the board of Goodyear Lastikleri TAS.
Two Hankook Tyre UK employees, product and pricing analyst Mike Olsen and customer service advisor Ben Thompson, have completed the Cycle Madagascar Challenge, and in doing so raised £6,600 for the international development charity, Transaid. Mike and Ben returned from Madagascar – the island off the coast of Africa, not the animated film – after completing a gruelling cycle of almost 500 kilometres across the country’s varied landscapes.
Maxxis has shared details of the latest meeting of its Asian and African subsidiary companies’ representatives and distributors, who assembled in Pattaya, Thailand between 25 and 27 June. The meeting was the inaugural Maxxis Asian & African Distributor Conference, and Maxxis says it aimed to generate and share ideas to drive the tyre manufacturer’s business forward. Maxxis titled the conference, “Rev It Up – Beyond All Limits” to highlight the need for its partners to play a vital role in “creating momentum, overcoming current limits and achieving greater goals”.
Continental will aim to support its fleet business with the creation of two new independent departments to oversee the areas of Fleet Support and Truck Tyre Marketing across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), focussing specifically on its Conti360° Fleet Services. The company has appointed Martin Burdorf to take charge of fleet management, while Barry Guildford will become the new marketing chief. Both will report directly to Herbert Mensching, director of Marketing and Sales Truck Tyres EMEA.
The Starco Group reports it has established a new entity in South Africa. The Danish-based company shares that a partnership agreement was signed in July with Mac & Tirecity – a major South African distributor that operates three strategically-located distribution centres in the region.
Senior executives from the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, the Freight Transport Association, the Road Haulage Association and Transport for London have joined forces with Transaid to organise a charity bike ride from London to Paris, with the aim of raising £100,000 to support Transaid's Professional Driver Training projects in Africa.
Although almost five thousand miles lie between the Messe Essen exhibition halls and Tire Group International’s headquarters in Miami, Florida, attending Reifen 2012 provided the US-based wholesaler with numerous business opportunities. When Tyres & Accessories spoke with TGI’s CEO Tony Gonzalez, he shared that he and his colleagues had spent time with a lot of quality buyers during the show week.
Cooper Tire and Rubber Company has entered into a new tyre distribution arrangement in Southern and Eastern Africa. Following the agreement, a newly established company called Top Draw Tyres will import the company’s full range of SUV, 4×4 and passenger Cooper manufactured products for sale Southern and Eastern Africa.
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