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Halfway Around the World with Cooper Tire

The ruggedness of Cooper Tire 4×4 tyres is being put to the test with an ambitious 40,000km trek from Cape Town in South Africa to London. Cooper’s products have been selected as the tyre of choice for the “Africa Overland” expedition, a journey being made by Australian couple Ron and Viv Moon. This is their eighth trip through the Continent in 20 years, and by mid-August the couple was already halfway through the mammoth 30-week adventure; Ron and Vic expect to arrive in London in mid-October.

With South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, the Serengeti and Kenya already visited, the Cooper Discoverer STT-shod, 4.2-litre Nissan Patrol will pass through a total of 16 countries in all. “The tyres have performed fantastically well,” said Ron Moon. “We’ve clocked up some 33,000km and put them through some of the toughest roads in Africa, varying from near non-existent tracks, to sandy Kalahari Desert roads and deep mud hole-dotted trails. They’ve been amazingly good for the areas we’ve been driving in, and the loads we’ve been carrying – our vehicle weighs around four tonnes.”

17th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop SA Introduces Hi Tech Sales Tool

Today people expect more than a basic over the counter ‘buy and sell’ retail experience. In our technology-driven world, where a cell phone doubles as a video camera, home computer and music player, where we can pause and replay television programmes at the push of a button, there is no such thing as a passive consumer anymore. Instead people demand to be entertained, involved and informed every step of the way. No wonder interactivity has become the latest buzzword in the modern sales environment internationally.

In South Africa, Dunlop Tyres has responded to this new phenomenon by initiating a new dimension to the customer experience. At Dunlop dealers countrywide, they have developed and launched a state-of-the-art Dunlop Interactive Display Module. It is claimed to be the first of its kind in the region’s tyre business.
Jenny Soons, advertising manager at Dunlop elaborates. “Enhanced interaction with the consumer is a global retail trend, providing product information in an entertaining way, and this is what the Dunlop Interactive Display Module does – it adds interest and provides consumers with an enjoyable interactive experience.”

17th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

South African Tyre Manufacturing Strike Continues

South Africa’s tyre manufacturing sector strike has failed to reach a settlement despite previous high hopes. Workers have already accepted the proposed wage increase offer but have not been able to reach an agreement with employers on issues related to contract work and employees’ benefits.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the Employers Association have met to find a resolution to the strike, however Numsa provincial secretary Irvin Jim reports that a new complication has arisen. “At the eleventh hour, employers approached negotiations with a new demand. They want to secure a three-year agreement. We were forced as a union to place on the table what we demand on wages for the next two years, which is 8 per cent for the next year and 8.5 per cent for the third year.

“Under these circumstances we think it is time that we remain very strong and solid. The strike must continue because we can’t sell-out for the second and third year.”

16th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Sally Traffic to ‘Cycle Kenya’

Sally ‘Traffic’ Boazman, BBC Radio 2 presenter, and 25 enthusiastic cyclists have signed up for Transaid’s latest fundraiser, Cycle Kenya, to make transport for life a reality in Africa, with the opportunity for five more people to join them. Cycle Kenya will see the Transaid group cycle over 400km across Kenya’s stunning Rift Valley from 10-19 November, and hopes to raise £70,000 to help people in the developing world benefit from safe, affordable and efficient transport.

“Transaid is a great charity and I’m glad to offer my support. Good transport is something most of us take for granted but in Africa lack of it can often mean life or death. Transaid is working with governments to address these issues and to highlight the fact that transport management is often the missing link to sustainable development,” says Sally Boazman.

With three months to go, places on the expedition are limited. Participants will be required to pay a registration fee of £299 plus commit to raising a minimum of £2,750 in sponsorship, 80 per cent of which must be with Transaid by the end of August. This covers the air fare and most ground costs. Several companies are already sponsoring their employees to the tune of £3,000 to participate and Transaid is appealing to others who may wish to do the same.

14th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hopes High for End to South African Strike

Tyre manufacturers and unions in South Africa are hopeful that the three-week old industry strike may be coming to an end. The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said it hoped a final settlement may be reached on August 14.

“One outstanding issue was that Goodyear tyre should come out with a plan on how they intend to phase out labour brokers in their employment,” said union spokesperson Maziwakhe Hlangani. Goodyear has agreed that 100 of the 250 contract workers will be absorbed into permanent staff compliment.

“Other issues involved are labour costs, which include shift allowances, and increases in provident funds contributions, which should be tackled again, said Hlangani.

According to Numsa, the Employers’ New Tyre Industry Association was offering wage increases ranging from 8.5 per cent for the lowest paid workers, 8 per cent across-the-board and 7.5 per cent for those earning above the maximum grade levels

14th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Indian Tyremakers Thinking Globally

With India’s vehicle industry experiencing a slowdown of late, the country’s tyremakers have needed to consider how to best maintain their profits. According to a report published in India’s Business Standard newspaper, a number of manufacturers including Apollo, Ceat, JK Tyre and MRF are increasingly thinking internationally in the face of this new challenge. Not only are Indian tyremakers looking at establishing overseas manufacturing plants – at least one is also casting its gaze at established manufacturers in other countries with a view to acquiring one of these firms.

The nation’s second largest tyre manufacturer, Delhi based Apollo Tyres is reportedly actively pursuing the acquisition of an overseas tyremaker. It seems most likely that Apollo will seek the purchase of a company based in Europe, although an acquisition in the Americas is by no means out of the question. “Margins are better in Europe with good product acceptability and confidence in technology,” commented Neeraj Kanwar, joint managing director and COO, Apollo Tyres. The company has seen European market demand for radials increase substantially in recent times, and on the back of this Apollo aims to become a major player in Europe in the next half decade or so.

13th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Stamford Tyres: Quality Products For A Global Market

Having enjoyed very successful shows recently at Tyrexpo Africa 2006 and Autopromotec in Italy with their European trading division – Sumo Firenza. Stamford Tyres prepare for Tyrexpo Asia 2007 in their home-base of Singapore with justified optimism.

The company’s primary objective at the show will be to promote the benefits of the Sumo Firenza tyre ranges as well as its wheel division – Stamford Sport Wheels (SSW). There will be an extensive selection of products on display including the Sumo Firenza ultra high performance and truck ranges and high quality aluminium wheel designs.

The Sumo Firenza range is manufactured in China incorporating Japanese state-of-the-art-technology and both the high performance and truck tyres are expected to arouse a lot of interest among visitors. The Sumo Firenza ST-08 high performance pattern offers a number of features including twin wide grooves to combat aquaplaning, tapered groove walls for improved overall grip as well as a silica-based compound to further enhance grip on wet roads.

Pat Berriman, Vice President for Sales and Marketing states, “We are confident of being able to maintain a premium above most other Chinese tyres and as visitors to the stand will discover, you only have to inspect the ST-08 to appreciate its sheer quality and durability.”

13th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Second-Hand Tyres Costing More Than New as OTR Shortage Bites

(Akron/Tire Review – Mining Weekly South Africa) Second-hand tyres for large off-road trucks were costing more than new ones because of the biting tyre shortage, Kumba Iron Ore CEO Ras Myburgh told Mining Weekly Online on Tuesday. Myburgh said that the shortage of tyres was at one stage so acute that trucks were grounded for months.

Second-hand tyres were selling in the region of R250,000 each and trucks costing as much as $5-million dollars were being delivered without tyres because of the acute shortage. He said that the JSE-listed Kumba bought tyres separately. “Currently you can get trucks, but you can’t get tyres,” he said. “If you don’t have a long-term supply agreement, you can end up buying brand-new tyres that last only a fraction of what you get from normal suppliers.

8th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Rubber King Tyres India: King Of The Road

Rubber King manufactures and markets a range of inner tubes, curing air bags and rubber flaps under the brand name “Rubber King”. The company has two factories and manufacturing capacities of 150,000 tubes per month and 75,000 flaps per month.
Rubber King inner tubes are made from high quality butyl rubber for better air retention and resistance to degradation from ozone. The size range is very comprehensive, with tubes available for truck and bus, light truck, agricultural, OTR and passenger vehicles for both bias ply and radial tyres and also for industrial vehicles and implements. Butyl curing bags and flaps are produced in a large number of sizes.
As well as these products, Rubber King offers the “Tire King” brand of tyres for vehicles from motorcycles through agricultural, industrial and OTR tyres.

The company exports products all over the world to more than 33 countries; not only in Asia, but to Europe, the USA, Africa and the Middle East. The quality of Rubber King inner tubes is demonstrated by the fact that many of the company’s customers are OEM tyre companies and the tubes carry a two-year warranty.

6th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Qizhou Rubber Aims to Build Biggest OTR Tyre in the World

Already a producer of giant OTR tyres such as 45/65-45 L5, 37.25-35E3, 4000-57E4, 50/80-57, 52/80-57, 58/85-57, 70/70-57, Qingdao Qizhou Rubber is planning to make “the biggest tyre in the world – 59/90R63,” which is expected to be available by the end of 2007. And furthermore the company claims it is going to do this using ”environmentally friendly” polyurethane technology. Qingdao Qizhou’s announcement comes a year after the company signed a $400,000 licensing agreement with polyurethane tyre developer Amerityre Corporation.

Qingdao Qizhou Rubber Co., Ltd. is a privately owned manufacturer, located in Qingdao, China with a projected turnover of approximately US$100 million for 2007. Qizhou Rubber Co., Ltd. has about 860 employees and manufactures industrial, agricultural, truck, bus, and OTR tyres for export to over 30 countries under the Marcher brand name. Its products are used in the worlds’ various mining sites, both open pit and underground, at temperatures ranging from -66’C, to +50’C. Its sand tyres are known to have been used in desert land where the surface temperature has reached up to +80’C.

2nd August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Sameer Half-Year Profits Up 54%

Sameer Africa recorded a 54 per cent increase in pre-tax profit to Sh113.8 million (£836,000) during the first six months of 2006. These results are very good news for the Kenyan tyremaker, who in March reported losses amounting to £164,000 as a result of low price imported tyres.

Sameer’s sales rose 14 per cent from Sh1.6 billion (£11.8 million) in June 2006 to Sh1.7 billion (£12.5 million) in June 2007. The company reported in a statement that this growth came via a 6 per cent boost in the sales of Yana brand tyres. However, despite the positive results the company’s board has not recommended payment of an interim dividend.

1st August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Striking South African Workers Vent Anger at Tyre Plant Bosses

Striking workers at Continental Tyre South Africa’s Port Elizabeth factory have expressed their feelings towards deadlocked wage negotiations with what one local media source has described as a “rampage.” The Port Elizabeth Herald described the July 31 events as nearly becoming “out of control,” with “verbal abuse exchanged between the group and police.” Part of the road outside the plant was reportedly barricaded with burning tyres and a number of motor vehicles belonging to employees not participating in the strike were damaged.

Members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) were well represented amongst the demonstrative group outside the plant, and Continental is accusing them of not adhering to the accepted rules of picketing. “The company can‘t condone an act of this nature. Under the circumstances we will be forced to enforce the picketing order,” Continental Tyre spokesman Attie Higgs told media. In its defence Numsa said the display of anger was symbolic of the workers’ growing frustration and desperation, and the union accused the plant bosses of “not negotiating in good faith.”

1st August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

An “Exciting Year”

The 34th Apollo Tyres Annual General Meeting, held in the Indian state of Kerala on July 26, was more than merely an occasion on which to report the company’s latest financial results. For chairman Onkar S Kanwar it was an opportunity to take stock of where the company has been and where it is headed. These thoughts were reflected in his address to company shareholders.

“The India we live in has changed dramatically over the last 34 years, he said in opening. “And especially so in the last ten. Today we stand at the threshold of great opportunity as a nation, for tomorrow will be India’s century.” He added that if India takes on the attitude of “being a winner”, as he believes Apollo has, the nation will continue to grow and “claim our rightful place in the pantheon of leading nations of the world.”

26th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Reports Strong Q1 Financials

On July 25 the board of directors at Apollo Tyres reported the company’s unaudited results for the first quarter of the 2007-08 financial year, and also named August 27 as the date in which Rs 10 equity shares will be split into ten equity shares valued at Rs 1 each.

First quarter (April to June) net sales closed at Rs 11.5 billion (£138.6 million), an increase of 22 per cent on the previous year’s Rs 9.4 billion (£113.3 million). Net profit was recorded as Rs 546.4 million (£6.6 million), an impressive 369 per cent jump on the Rs 116.5 million (£1.4 million) obtained during the first quarter of 2006-07. Apollo attributes this significant profit growth to stabilising prices in major raw materials such as natural rubber, crude and steel, plus an improvement in key operating efficiencies, including wage cost, interest and depreciation.

The tyremaker further reported that all major product categories experienced substantial growth both in India and South Africa. The highest growth areas were 35 per cent for truck and bus radials in South Africa and 23 per cent for car radials in India.

26th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Large TiWheel Share Trade Under Scrutiny

South Africa’s JSE stock exchange confirmed on July 24 that it was looking into an unusually large trade of Tiger Wheel and Tyre stock in May, and would make a report on the matter to the nation’s Financial Services Board. While it is not yet clear to the JSE whether or not the trade should be considered suspicious, the trading of more than 7 million shares in a single transaction on May 11 – only two weeks before Tiger wheels issued a cautionary announcement – is an event that contrasts markedly with the preceding low trading activity in Tiger Wheels shares.

The cautionary, published on May 30, said the performance of its 74 per cent held global wheel manufacturing business, ATS GmbH, had failed to meet the expectations of the revised performance forecast made to its German financing syndicate in February. However, the JSE reportedly had no knowledge of the May 11 transaction until Business Day, one of South Africa’s leading financial newspapers, brought it to the stock exchange’s attention.

The trading activity in question involved about ten per cent of the company’s 59.6 million shares. It is not clear at this stage whether insider trading is suspected.

25th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors