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Visitor Pre-Registration Opens for Tyrexpo Africa 2008

Visitors and delegates to Tyrexpo Africa 2008, southern Africa’s leading tyre trade exhibition, can now pre-register online for next March’s event by visiting www.eci-international.com The opening of the easy-to-use online registration process marks another milestone in the countdown to the exhibition, which takes place in the Sandton Convention Centre from March 4 to 6 2008.

In addition to taking advance registrations, show organiser ECI has launched a major promotional drive to market the show to tyre industry professionals in Africa and around the world. Over the next four months, more than 80,000 free-entry visitor tickets will be distributed to potential delegates via an extensive campaign featuring direct mail, trade press advertising, ticket inserts and exhibitor mailings. In addition to the mainstream tyre industries, the exhibition will target interest from the important mining, quarrying and industrial tyre markets.

ECI sales director Rowena Suthers says that the drive to attract visitors is a vital stage in the build up to the exhibition: “Our visitor marketing campaign is now in full swing with just four full months to go before the exhibition opens its doors. We’ll be distributing around 80,000 tickets to trade buyers who we think will have an interest in attending Tyrexpo Africa.

23rd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Turnover to Double in 3 Years – Kanwar

India’s tyre industry will most likely grow by 8 to 10 per cent over the next five years, claims Apollo Tyres’ chairman Onkar S Kanwar. He added that in the coming three years the tyremaker’s turnover will double to US$2 billion. “We are looking at inorganic growth and have acquired a facility in South Africa and are also in the process of starting a facility in Europe”, said Onkar. Specific details of Apollo’s current activities in Europe, however, were not provided.

12th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Schrader Wins TPMS Contract with with Mahindra and Mahindra

Antrim-based Schrader Electronics, has announced details of a major new order for its tyre pressure monitoring systems from one of India’s largest vehicle manufacturers, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. The order includes the supply of Schrader’s new snap-in valve sensor to vehicles exported to the North American market, starting in January 2009 and running through to the end of 2011. The new business has led Schrader Electronics of Carrickfergus to open its seventh production line next month.

Mahindra & Mahindra is in the business of manufacturing and marketing utility vehicles and light commercial vehicles, including three-wheelers. It is the market leader in utility vehicles in India and currently accounts for about half of India’s market for utility vehicles. The group exports its products to several countries in Europe, Africa, South America, South Asia and the Middle East.

10th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Loadstar is Sri Lanka’s single largest exporter

On September 28, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Solideal Loadstar won three gold awards at the country’s 15th Annual Export Awards, conducted by the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE). The awards were: “Most Outstanding Exporter – Industry Rubber Products Extra Large category”; “Most Outstanding Exporter – Industry Rubber Products”; and “Most Outstanding Exporter – Overall Winner”.

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) has been hosting the prestigious Export Awards Ceremony since 1993 in an effort to recognize and reward export excellence in Sri Lanka. Over the past 15 years, the number of entries has risen from 19 to 132. Applicants were judged on overall net export turnover, export growth, product and market diversification, export values by principal markets, new products introduced, and special certifications.

“Our team in Solideal Loadstar deserves these awards for their hard work and commitment. Worldwide, the Solideal group’s connection to Sri Lanka is a source of pride, especially the great contribution to the economy and the country’s reputation for quality products,” said Cesar Clemente, CEO of the Solideal Group.

8th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Evacuates Employees’ Families from Algeria

Michelin has decided to evacuate the families of French nationals in its employ in Algeria because of concerns for their safety. The plans for their repatriation from the North African state were made after nine people, including two French nationals, were injured during an attack made upon a convoy of foreign workers in September. A group with al-Qaeda affiliations claimed responsibility for carrying out the attack.

Violence linked to terrorist activities has surged within Algeria this year, with dozens killed by suicide bombings in September alone. Recently al-Qaeda released a video in which second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahri called for militant groups in North Africa to “cleanse” their lands of the Spanish and French.

The French tyre major said operations at its Hussein Dey facility in Algiers would continue and that those actually employed at the plant would remain in Algeria.

8th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Starts Run-Flat Mass Production in South Africa

Bridgestone Corporation has announced that Bridgestone South Africa (Pty) Ltd., has started the mass production and shipping of run-flat from its Brits, factory. Bridgestone South Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd. is a holding company which is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation for South Africa. The factory will produce 205/55R16 Turanza ER300 tyres for use on new BMW 3 Series automobiles produced in South Africa.

The Brits Plant started operation in 1971 with the production of radial tyres for passenger cars, light trucks, and trucks and buses, predominantly supplying the South African market. With the start of run-flat production and shipping at the Brits Plant, Bridgestone Group now boasts a “quadripartite production system” of run-flat tyres spanning Japan, the United States, Poland and South Africa. A special ceremony was held at the Brits Plant on September 13 to celebrate the start of mass production and BMW approval.

8th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Belshina: Growth Through Investment

The Republic of Belarus has experienced robust economic growth in recent years, with the latest figures showing a growth in GDP of nearly seven per cent. The economy is highly industrialised, with exports playing a crucial part in the growth in prosperity. One of the largest enterprises in Belarus – indeed, one of the largest in Europe – is the Belshina Open Joint-Stock Company. The tyre manufacturer operates three factories, covering an area of 173.6 hectares and employs around 12,000 staff, producing more than 200 sizes and types of tyre, from passenger car up to giant tyres for mining and construction machinery.

Belshina sells tyres on both the replacement and OE markets, having a number of OE contracts with local and foreign vehicle manufacturers across all sectors. (Valtra, Brazil – tractor manufacturer; Terex Equipment Ltd., Scotland – mining and construction machinery manufacturer; Belaz, Belarus – mining machinery; MAZ, Belarus – trucks, KAMAZ, Russia – trucks; MTZ, Belarus – tractors).

24th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Lends Support to Transaid Charity Ride

Hankook is switching its attention to cycling this winter with the launch of plans to support transport charity Transaid in a 400 km charity cycle ride across Kenya. The tyremaker has pledged its support by becoming key sponsor for Gary Williams, a 55 year old former tyre fitter who is now on the board of Transaid and works for Direct Tyre Management.

Gary said he was looking forward to the fundraising effort. “This is a huge challenge for me but such a worthwhile cause,’’ he said, adding that he is already in training for the cycle ride. “At the moment I’m cycling 20 miles at a time and just thinking about the amazing views across Rift Valley and Lake Victoria.’’

Hankook’s UK commercial sales manager Barrie Horrocks said he was delighted that the company was part of this fundraising event that will help people in Africa benefit from safe, affordable and efficient transport. “As a global company Hankook is involved in transportation around the world and to be participating in such a prestigious and worthwhile event is ideal for us,’’ said Barrie. “We fully support this initiative.”

21st September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Lines of Distinction?

(Akron/Tire Review) Our industry – at home and abroad – has been building tires for more than a century. Along the way, we allowed ourselves to be fooled every once in a while by ‘technology’ that really didn’t live up to its billing. One example is the single-ply tire promoted as being as strong as a two-ply tire.

Great progress has been made, both in technology and in marketing. Let there be no doubt about the safety advances built into today’s tyres compared to those built in 1908. And, yes, there have been some stinkers along the way, but by and large, this industry has led the world in packing more performance and safety into one single product than any other.

If anything remains unchanged, it continues to be our penchant for putting an acronym or label on everything, the latest being the so-called “global tyre,” which doesn’t sound half as meaningful as the phrase it replaced – “world-class tyre.”

10th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tiger Auto Mauls a 19 Per Cent Headline Earnings Increase

Tiger Automotive has thrived since its unbundling from Tiger wheels last December, and the company’s latest financial bear testimony to the wheel and tyre distributor’s good health. Tiger Automotive reports that in its first full year as a company listed with South Africa’s JSE stock exchange in its own right, it has achieved a 19 per cent increase in headline earnings, to Rs 1.242 (£0.085) a share. Revenue has risen 17.3 per cent to Rs 1.1 billion (£75.3 million). The company reports that these results counter the typical pattern of lower earnings in the second half. At the half-year stage, headline earnings were 15.2 per cent up at Rs 0.61 (£0.042), and the forecast was for a slight increase in full-year earnings.

“This pleasing rise in earnings was achieved because we were able to rectify – although not completely – problems that impacted on the first half,” said group managing director Keith Rivers.

Pre-tax profit (for the year to 30 June) increased 15.5 per cent to Rs 101.3-million (£6.9 million), while attributable profit was up by almost Rs 10 million to Rs 73.7 million (£5.04 million). In lieu of an annual dividend, the company is making a capital distribution of Rs 0.49 (£0.03) a share.

7th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Several Companies Show Interest in Ailing ATS Plant

A number of companies have cast a hungry eye upon the factory owned by ATS Light Alloy Wheels South Africa a month after the company was placed in provisional liquidation. One of the joint liquidators, Alan Pellow, said that about six companies had already inspected the plant and “some people in the US want to have a look.”

The liquidators say they are striving to find a buyer who we take on the factory as a going concern, however this happy outcome is by no means certain. “We are waiting for the final valuations for the plant and will then probably send out an information pack worldwide and see what we can bring in,” Pellow added.

ATS Light Alloy Wheels South Africa is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tiger Wheels’ 74 per cent owned German unit ATS Beteiligungs. In addition to the South African facility, ATS also operates alloy wheel manufacturing plants in Germany, Poland and the US. Directors and senior management at the South African plant applied for liquidation of the company due to ongoing cash flow problems, and the decision as to if or when liquidation is finalised is dependent on a high court decision.

28th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin and BFGoodrich take the Long Way Down

Drawing on their success in gruelling events such as the Dakar Rally, Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman and their team chose Michelin and BFGoodrich tyres to support their recently completed ‘Long Way Down’ adventure through Europe and Africa. Travelling from John O’Groats to Cape Town via Western Europe and East Africa, the epic journey took in everything from tarmac roads to deserts and supported the Unicef, CHAS and Riders for Health charities.

Michelin supplied its Anakee tyres for the BMW R1200GS Adventure motorcycles ridden by Ewan and Charley, and BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A tyres for the two Nissan Patrol support vehicles. The two men were impressed by the combination of wet and dry grip, mileage, handling and comfort, combined with some off-road ability offered by the Michelin Anakee, the same tyre they used in the US leg of their previous trip, the Long Way Round.

22nd August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Laugfs to Begin Industrial Tyre Production

Laugfs Holdings, the Sri Lanka based LPG company that has diversified into many areas of business, ranging from rubber products to restaurants, bottled water and apartments, is planning to invest Rs 350 million (£1.58 million) during the next three months at their tyre manufacturing facility in Millewa, in the country’s Western Province.

“We will start making solid tyres used for forklifts and other heavy machinery,” said Laugfs managing director Thilak de Silva. He added that the products are primarily destined for export to Australia and South Africa. “We have got orders from these countries, from companies which engage in mining.”

Prior to this latest investment Laugfs’ tyre manufacturing focused upon pneumatic tyres for three-wheeled vehicles and tyres for wheelbarrows. The company reports it is also in the process of developing a range for motorcycles and passenger cars under its ‘Palomino’ and ‘Stallion’ brand names.

20th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyremakers Back to Work in South Africa

A decision that resounded as music to the ears of South Africa’s tyre industry was announced on August 17 – the month long strike that brought production at factories belonging several tyre majors to a halt has been resolved. Following a breakthrough in negotiations workers at Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone and Goodyear agreed to return to work on August 21.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) urged all its members to meet at their workplace on August 20 for a report about the wage talks. “Numsa is of the view that it has made progress. It will discuss with its constituencies on Monday whether the current offer on the table does constitute a settlement,” said Numsa regional secretary Irvin Jim. The offer includes an eight per cent across-the-board increase, 8.5 per cent for minimum salary employees, and 7.5 per cent for next year and the year after.

20th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Begins Run-Flat Production in South Africa

Bridgestone’s wholly owned South African subsidiary Bridgestone South Africa has become the country’s first tyremaker to begin the commercial production of run-flat tyres. The tyres will be manufactured at the company’s Brits plant in South Africa’s North West Province, a facility that has received a R700 million (£48 million) expansion and upgrade over the previous five years.

The first OE deal for the new South African run-flats was officially approved by carmaker BMW in June. At this stage, however, Bridgestone South Africa chairman and CEO Yasuhiro Ito reports that BMW is the only manufacturer fitting run-flats to locally assembled cars, and Bridgestone is not involved in talks with any other OEM.

20th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors