Dunlop Aircraft Tyres is to establish its first retreading facility in the United States in early 2016. It is reportedly evaluating a number of potential sites in the South East of the USA. The Birmingham, UK-based company says it will use the base to boost its competitiveness across the Americas, particularly on popular narrow and wide-bodied jet airliners and military aircraft.
Graham Partners, a private investment firm, has bought a majority shareholding in Desser Tire & Rubber Company and affiliated companies, Aero Wheel & Brake Service Corporation and Cee Bailey’s Aircraft Plastics. Collectively referred to as “Desser” the business is primarily a leading supplier of aircraft tyres and tubes from its Los Angeles and Memphis facilities to customers in over 100 countries.
China’s first privately-owned regional airline has awarded Birmingham-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres a three-year deal to supply tyres for its expanding fleet of regional airliners. Under the agreement, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres will support China Express Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen aircraft.
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.
MRF Tyres has launched a new aircraft tyre, the MRF Aeromuscle, and will supply this as the main wheel fitment for the Indian Air Force’s more than 200-strong fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter planes. The tyres are produced at the company’s Hyderabad factory and are said to be 30 to 40 per cent cheaper than their imported equivalent. The Indian Air Force sought out a local tyre supplier for the Su-30 due to difficulties sourcing the tyres overseas. MRF has now also been given a mandate to design nose wheel tyres for the aircraft.
Michelin will supply radial aircraft tyres to the upcoming version of the Boeing 737 after its selection as an original equipment supplier for the model. The 737 Max 8 and 737 Max 8, scheduled to enter service in 2017 and 2019, will both be fitted with Michelin aircraft radials featuring NZG (Near Zero Growth) technology.
After a century of development, tyres are getting cleverer than ever. Now they are beginning to think for themselves – or at least feed back information automatically. For much of the history of tyres, research and development focused on materials, compounds, construction and processes – all things that have brought tyre technology to where it is today and will take it through tomorrow and beyond. What’s different now is that in the last couple of years we have seen the rise of “clever” tyres, intelligent tyres, even cyber-tyres – call them what you will. The point is that these products are seeking to transform the tyre from being a passive component that runs fine as long it has tread remaining, is cared for correctly and avoids sharp objects. Now it is becoming an active part of modern connected vehicles, providing feedback as to the tyre’s type, state and even environmental conditions. All this is exchanged with the vehicle’s on-board computers in order to optimise performance. In the case of passenger cars this means sharing such data with ABS and ESP, helping the car “feel” the road and conditions.
Aviation tyre manufacturer Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited has distanced itself from Goodyear Dunlop’s decision to end motorsport tyre production in the UK later this year. In a short statement, the company points out that it is “in no way connected to Goodyear Dunlop” and clarifies that “there are no changes to the operation of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres.
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres will exhibit its new radial tyres for regional aircraft including the Embraer E-Jet and ATR72 at the Singapore Airshow next week. The company says its products have become more popular with aircraft operators throughout Asia Pacific since it opened a new tyre distribution and retreading facility in China at the end of 2009. It is now looking to increase its market share with new radial tyres that are a lighter weight and that can offer operators improved landing life.
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has appointed Stephen Ray as its new financial director. He replaces Oliver Burns who worked at the company for six years. Before moving to Dunlop, Stephen Ray spent 13 years at LINPAC Group, a producer of plastic packaging for the retail, catering, manufacturing, packing and food sectors.
Dunlop Motorsport has confirmed it will close its Fort Dunlop tyre production factory in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham. The news follows the announcement last May that the company’s lease would not be renewed and that site was being sold to Jaguar Land Rover. Goodyear Dunlop representatives told Tyres & Accessories that the firm remains committed to the production of motorsport tyres and is still in talks with Birmingham City Council with regards to the possibility of finding another suitable site in the region.
Michelin Aircraft Tire has announced it will provide its Air X radial for original equipment fitment on Dassault’s newest large cabin long range business jet, the Falcon 5X. “Michelin is proud to have been selected by Dassault as its official partner and the sole source supplier on the new Falcon 5X aircraft,” said Mathias Kratzsch, Michelin Aircraft Tire Company’s director of Marketing and Sales.
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has announced the completion of an expansion plan for its Fort Dunlop, Birmingham manufacturing base. The aviation tyre-maker will switch on its latest additional production machine, completing a £4 million factory investment programme.
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has shared details of its latest long-term supply contract. The company will provide new and retreaded tyres to Czech Republic carrier Travel Service Airlines’ fleet of 23 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, as well as to the four Boeing 737 Next Generation planes flown by its low-cost subsidiary SmartWings. The supply deal includes nose and main wheel tyres.
A £1.5 million government grant is winging its way to Dunlop Aircraft tyres. The grant was awarded by the Government’s Technology Strategy Board and the funds will aid the Birmingham-based company in its development and testing of tougher, lighter aircraft tyres.
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