Africa
Continental Tyres South Africa will reportedly invest more than ZAR100 million (£6.0 million) to expand capacity at its plant in Port Elizabeth. Independent Newspapers’ iol.co.za website reports that these funds will in part be used to establish the facility as a hub for the manufacture of specialty tyres, particularly those used in underground mining applications.
Goodyear Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) published the findings of a new research project it undertook with the European Driving Schools Association (EFA) on 27 November. Alongside the research, Goodyear EMEA published a Road Safety White Paper – “Driving Safety First: Improving Road Safety For Novice Drivers”. The White Paper was introduced and discussed at a panel debate of the European Transport Safety Council in Brussels today.
Analysts at TechSci Research have published a new report highlighting the growth potential of the South Korean tyre market. According to the report entitled “South Korea Tyre Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2018”, the tyre market in South Korea is expected to grow at the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5 per cent between 2013 and 2018 in terms of sales revenue.
Sales of locally-produced Continental run-flat tyres will reportedly begin in China before the end of this year. Quoting Jay Dhillon, general manager of Continental Tires China, the China Daily wrote on 28 November that annual output of these products will reach 340,000 units next year and 510,000 units in 2015. Hefei is the fourth Continental plant to begin run-flat production, after Aachen (Germany), Port Elizabeth (South Africa) and Mount Vernon (USA).
Brembo has been recognised as the first Fiat-Chrysler sustainable supplier of the year. In 2009 the car company from Turin launched specific certification procedures for its supply chain in EMEA area.
Cooper Tire shares that it received a ‘Global Media Award’ at this month’s SEMA Show/Global Tire Expo for introducing the new Mastercraft Courser MXT at the show. In addition, the Cooper Zeon RS3-S (in size 325/30R19) was named a runner-up in the New Products Showcase in the Tire and Related Product category.
Adventure bike rider and travel writer Sam Manicom has completed his latest trip across Europe to Sarajevo, Bosnia on Avon’s Gripster tyres. The author of four books on motorcycle adventures is a long-term user of the Gripster, which he says has allowed him “to ride in some of the most remote parts of our planet”.
At yesterday’s presentation of its 2013-2017 Industrial Plan in London, Pirelli & C. SpA highlighted its performance since the presentation of its previous Industrial Plan in 2011 (which covered 2011-2015) and stated its aims for the current period. The event followed the release of the company’s third quarter figures on 5 November. The headline figures for the third quarter are net sales of €1.52 billion (down 2.19 per cent year-on-year, operating income of €201.0 million (up 2.87 per cent), EBIT margin of 13.2 per cent (12.6 per cent in Q2 2012) and net income up 27.36 per cent to €108.0 million.
Consolidated sales at Germany’s Continental AG reached €8.35 billion in the three months to 30 September, a 2.65 per cent increase on the same period of 2012. Adjusted sales were up 2.44 per cent to €8.31 billion. EBITDA rose 10.36 per cent year-on-year in the quarter to €1.32 billion (15.8 per cent of sales, up from 14.7 per cent) and EBIT grew 15.58 per cent to €886.3 million (10.6 per cent of sales, up from 9.4 per cent).
Nick Harley, previously sales director at BP Castrol Lubricants, has joined Goodyear Dunlop UK & Ireland as director, Consumer Tyres. Harley, who was responsible for UK, Ireland, France and BeneLux markets at BP Castrol Lubricants, as well as Key International Accounts in Europe and Africa, will lead Goodyear Dunlop’s consumer business across all brands, reporting into UK and Ireland managing director, Erich Fric
For three decades, Harvey Brodsky was first employed by and later managing director of the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau – until the day that he wasn’t. In 5 October 2010, one month shy of Brodsky’s 30th anniversary with TRIB, he received a phone call from the bureau’s president and members of the board informing him that his services were no longer required, effective immediately. Many in this situation would be tempted to call it quits, however Brodsky showed that a dedicated retreading advocate doesn’t stay down for long. Almost three years after TRIB and its former managing director parted ways, Tyres & Accessories speaks with Harvey Brodsky about the success of his new retreading organisation, the Retread Tire Association.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber chairman and chief executive officer Richard J. Kramer says the company’s third quarter results “demonstrate continued sustainable earnings growth and the type of disciplined execution needed to deliver on our targets in 2013 and beyond.”
Michelin has won a tyre supply deal for the Teesport based Containerships fleet. With 60 6×2 mid-lifts, fleet engineer Gordon Aitchison says the results of a recent 1,000km trial have helped to identify significant annual cost differences of more than 20 per cent between four different 295/80R22.5 premium brand tyres.
Vredestein has been rewarded for its Ultrac Vorti tyre introduction film at the 4th Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, one of the world’s most important awards competitions honouring excellence in the corporate audio-visual industry. Apollo Tyres’ film comprised a music video shot with a Google 360 degrees camera, exclusive composed music and a game available in the Apple store with Facebook integration.
Every year, Bridgestone releases a new Mid-Term Management Plan. Each covers a five-year period and incorporates rolling changes. In announcing its 2013MTP, Bridgestone says the latest plan reflects changes in the operating environment since the formulation of the 2012 mid-term plan and incorporates revisions and additional strategies and actions “as deemed necessary.” Amongst the themes covered by the new plan is the restructuring of Bridgestone’s tyre business strategic business units (SBUs).
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