Africa
Tire Group International has added Kevin O’Brien and Rishi Raj Bhatnagar to its team. They take up the roles respectively of vice president of strategic accounts for its domestic division and territory manager for the African market. Both have more than 20 years’ experience in the industry.
On 31 May Linglong Tire signed an two year sponsorship deal with the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA). The partnership, which will see financial and material assistance extended to Uganda’s national basketball team, is the first of its kind in the African Continent.
Annual and final quarter results for Apollo Tyres’ 2013-14 fiscal year, which ended on 31 March, show a solid increase in net profit for the India-headquartered tyre maker. In the 12 months between the start of April 2013 and the end of March 2014, the company achieved net sales of Rs 133.1 billion (£1.3 billion); this represents year-on-year sales growth of four per cent. Full-year operating profit rose 19 per cent over the previous year to Rs 19.7 billion (£197.2 million), while operating profit margin rose from 12.1 per cent to 14.8 per cent. Net profit jumped 64 per cent year-on-year to Rs 10.1 billion (£101.1 million).
Continental Tyre South Africa announced the appointment of Niel Langner as marketing manager; Jiminy-Ann Knoetze Bosman as public relations and communications manager; and Morris Naiker as national sales manager on 14 May 2014. The move is being described as a set of strategic appointments designed to strengthen the firm’s tyre sales position in the country.
Under restructuring measures Bridgestone is undertaking in the Asia region, Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. (BSAP) will expand its area of responsibility to include tyre operations in China. From 1 July, Bridgestone Asia Pacific – henceforth abbreviated to BSCAP – will become the head office in charge of both BSAP and Bridgestone (China) Investment Co. Ltd., the company’s current Chinese head office.
While Goodyear Tire & Rubber has expressed satisfaction with the US$373 segment operating income earned in the first quarter of 2014, chairman and CEO Richard Kramer acknowledged the effect of ‘headwinds’ in emerging markets during the three-month period, particularly the impact of Venezuela on the company’s Latin America business. Segment operating income was up 24 per cent year-on-year and had a margin of 8.3 per cent; this is the fourth consecutive quarter where SOI margin has exceeded eight per cent.
Production resumed, albeit at a reduced level, at Continental’s Port Elizabeth factory in South Africa last Friday, ten days after strike action halted all production there. Workers belonging to NUMSA, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, went on strike on 15 April over a pay dispute, and the limited production now taking place in Port Elizabeth is being performed by non-union members. In a statement, plant spokeswoman Nomfundo Hlela said the factory was not operating at full capacity.
Birmingham aviation tyre manufacturer Dunlop Aircraft Tyres expanded its team earlier in the year with the appointment of Patrice Moreau as general sales manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Reporting to sales and marketing director David Skepper, Moreau joins with more than 19 years’ experience in commercial and business aviation.
New and returning drivers in what is described as being one of the world’s most cost-effective single seat motorsport categories are heading to Silverstone this weekend for the opening rounds of the 2014 BRDC Formula 4 Championship. As was the case during last year’s inaugural season, the control tyre for 2014 will be provided by Yokohama.
Orion Engineered Carbons Holdings Gmbh, which makes carbon black for printing and tyres, filed for a US initial public offering (IPO) worth US$300 million, according to document submitted to the American securities and exchange commission. The Frankfurt-based company, which used to be owned by Evonik, was acquired by private equity firms Rhone Capital LLC and Triton Advisers for $1.2 billion in 2011. Orion reported revenue of $1.8 billion last year.
Pirelli has heavily invested in the commercial vehicle tyre segment for a number of years now. This investment has covered the development of technologically-advanced tyres and the company’s outstanding fleet segment service portfolio. The overall aim is to minimise vehicle operating costs, which today represents the central criterion for companies needing to mimimise cost per mile in order to remain competitive within their respective markets. Following this logic, retreading naturally plays an increasingly strategic role.
Following on from their European launch in February, the new series of Zeetex brand passenger car, 4×4 and light commercial tyres have been presented to 40 Africa, Middle East and ASEAN dealers. The six new models offer better road-handling and traction while delivering longer mileages, according to Zeetex distributor ZafcoTrading, and were unveiled on 20 […]
Pirelli & C. SpA today reported full-year 2013 consolidated revenues of 6,146.2 million euros on 31 December, an increase of 1.2 per cent from 6,071.5 million euros a year earlier. Tyre revenues, which account for almost all of the company’s sales totalled 6,115.8 million euros in 2013, an increase of 1.4 per cent from 6,031.3 million euros. Full year tyre-derived pre-tax profits (EBIT) were 822.0 million euros, an increase of 1.2 million euros (+0.1 per cent) compared with 820.8 million euros in the same period a year earlier, with a margin equal to 13.4 per cent (13.6 per cent in 2012). However, whether it will be enough to allay pre-release market fears that emerging market exchange rates and particular Russian market instability remains to be seen.
Tyrexpo Africa 2014’s organisers Singex are describing the show as a success, saying “it lived up to its reputation once again as the major tyre event of the year on the African continent”. According to the company, the show – held from 4 to 6 March at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa – showcased “the widest selection of new brands of leading South African and international manufacturers” and featured 134 exhibitors and welcomed about 1,200 visitors from 17 African and international countries.
German wholesaler the Hämmerling Group reports a positive response at this month’s Tyrexpo Africa show in Johannesburg, with considerably more dealers, wholesalers and forwarding agents visiting the Hämmerling stand during the three exhibition days. A focus for Hämmerling at Tyrexpo Africa was its Athos and Mäxx truck tyres, Talas steel truck rims and Sämm truck retreads.
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