Agricultural
Trelleborg is to be the first ever official sponsor of the Tractor of The Year awards, after signing a long-term agreement. Launched by Italian magazine Trattori in 1998, the awards scheme – now in its 16th year – celebrates innovation in tractor design and technology from the world’s leading manufacturers and agricultural machineries.
India-based Speedways Rubber Company decided to enter the radial agricultural tyre segment with the addition of new manufacturing equipment a couple of years ago. The upgraded part of the production operation is now said to be running smoothly ahead of reaching full capacity in the first quarter of 2013. With new manufacturing equipment, increased output and larger products in hand, company representatives are now further developing their plans for where to sell these tyres. And the business’ recent appearance at Reifen 2012 in Essen demonstrates the firm’s clear international perspective.
Two years ago, at Reifen 2010, Starco marketing manager Brian Lorentzen told Tyres & Accessories off the record that the company was in the process of developing plans involving the agricultural sector. At this year’s show the news was finally made public as Starco announced its entry into the tractor radial tyre market. The Danish company describes this agricultural debut, which centres on a new distribution agreement with the tyre manufacturer ATG (Alliance Tire Group), as “a move that breaks with the past and indicates the shape of things to come.” Under the agreement, Starco will now distribute ATG’s Galaxy tractor tyre range in Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Germany and the Benelux countries.
Trelleborg Group has inaugurated its latest new manufacturing facility in Xingtai, Hebei, China to manufacture high-performance specialty, primarily agricultural tyres.
According to the company, the latest undisclosed investment is part of Trelleborg’s continued long-term strategy to grow in markets with “favourable potential.” The site produces both radial and bias technology tyres for farming, forestry and agro-industrial applications in sizes ranging from 18 to 42 inches. The manufacturing output from the facility will reach 150,000 units over more than 200 tyre sizes by 2013. It will serve the needs of Trelleborg’s partners by providing local supply to their Chinese facilities, and just as importantly to local manufacturers.
Today the Trelleborg Group inaugurated its new agricultural tyre factory in China. The plant, which is located in Xingtai, Hebei Province, is set up for the manufacture of both radial and cross-ply tyres for farming, forestry and agro-industrial applications. It will serve the needs of Trelleborg’s partners by providing local supply to their Chinese facilities, and just as importantly, to local manufacturers.
Heuver Tyrewholesale says it is able to look back on Reifen 2012 with a great deal of satisfaction. The Dutch company says the introduction of new products at the show ensured an exceptionally high volume of visitors and interest from customers, with a record number of orders being placed during the show. “This is something we haven't experienced before at Reifen,” said company director Bertus Heuver.
Leading tyre and wheel supplier to the global agricultural industry, Trelleborg Wheel Systems showcased its extensive range of high performance tyres at Cereals 2012, held in Lincolnshire, England, on 13-14 June. Located on stand 602, sector E, the company exhibited its latest innovations for the agricultural industry as part of a new stand design and concept, the ‘Blue Box’.
Michelin has launched a specialist agricultural tyre website, on which farmers and contractors can access detailed tyre information. The website includes detailed technical information – recommended pressure settings and load ratings – for every size of tyre in Michelin’s extensive agricultural range.
Mitas Tyres Limited claims to offer the UK’s largest range of high-spec row-crop tyres, and the company showed the latest products from its range at Cereals 2012 together with Case IH. The company also provided visitors with advice on correct row-crop tyre selection.
At this year’s Reifen show in Germany, Heuver Tyrewholesale revealed it will soon begin selling Aeolus passenger car tyres in the European markets where it currently supplies the Chinese manufacturer’s OTR and truck tyres. According to Heuver marketing manager Maureen Voortman, the Aeolus passenger range consists of three different product lines and will be launched in Europe in late 2012. “They’re good tyres,” she commented to Tyres & Accessories during Reifen 2012. “You have ‘A’ brands, and now you have Aeolus.”
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has earmarked a further US$74 million for capacity expansion at its Des Moines, Iowa agricultural tyre plant. This latest investment at the tyre maker’s main North American agricultural tyre facility follows a $77 million investment announced in March 2010; Bridgestone says the two projects confirm its “commitment to maintaining its leadership position in the agricultural tyre industry” and will help the plant meet growing demand for tyres that provide better traction and an increased footprint.
Michelin will use the occasion of Cereals 2012 to exhibit its largest ever farm tyre; a new dimension in the AxioBib range designed for high horsepower tractors. The Michelin AxioBib IF 900/60 R 42 has a diameter of 2.15 metres and will be launched onto the UK replacement tyre market in July 2012. The flotation tyre, using the French manufacturer’s Improved Flexion technology, is suited to demanding crop farming operations such as ploughing, where farmers and contractors are increasingly utilising larger machines to plough fields faster.
Goodyear has appointed JB Tyres of Tobermore to the position of exclusive farm and industrial tyre dealer for Ireland. The agreement means that JB Tyres has become one of the largest Goodyear farm tyre dealers in Europe. The manufacturer said the distributor is topping European league tables for sales in 2012.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems has announced that it plans to implement price increases on agricultural and forestry tyres and wheels.
The price hike of up to 5.5 per cent in North America takes effect in July 2012, on all tyres and wheels designed for use in agricultural, forestry and light industrial applications.
Mitas Tyres Ltd will exhibit two new tyres, the HC70 and AC70T, and the Continental SVT CHO (Cyclic Harvesting Operation) harvester tyre on its stand at Cereals 2012. The HC70 is an adaptable 70 series tyre designed for use on 90hp to 180hp tractors. The AC70T has deeper lugs, making it suitable for heavy field work. The show will take place at Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire on 13 and 14 June.
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