anniversary Archives - Page 23 of 30 - Tyrepress

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First Green Shoots of Recovery in US EM Market

The US earthmover/off-the-road tyre market recently plateaued and is now even registering the first 'green shoots' of low level market increases, according to Luc Minguet, Michelin president earthmover and industrial tyres worldwide. According to Minguet, 2009 got off to a particularly rough start for the OTR business with OE demand plummeting 20 per cent in the first two months of the year and replacement sales down by up to 60 per cent in same period.

23rd April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sumitomo Certified as an ‘Eco-First Company’

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. has pledged its Eco-First Commitment to the Japanese minister of the environment. In response the company has received “Eco-First Company” certification in recognition of its group’s efforts on environmental conservation based on the country’s Eco-First Program.

However, from the tyre industry’s point of view, the most striking news is that the company is aiming to develop “the ultimate eco-tyre…100 per cent free of fossil resources and fuel-efficient tyre whose rolling resistance is reduced by 50 per cent for launch in 2013 and in 2015, respectively.” The company’s Enasave product is already 97 per cent petrochemical free, however, Sumitomo’s goal of achieving a fossil-free tyre in the next 4-6 years is certainly ambitious.

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Verdek To Distribute Italian EV In America

Verdek-EV was formed a year ago, with ex-Pirelli USA president and CEO Guy Mannino as its president and CEO. In celebration of the company’s first anniversary, VERDEK-EV has signed an agreement to be the exclusive distributor for the Italian- manufactured Tazzari ZERO, a neighbourhood electric vehicle (NEV) with lithium-ion batteries that provide a range of 88 miles before recharging at a cost of less than $2.

Verdek-EV’s distribution rights include North America, Mexico and the Caribbean islands. Along with battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and other alternate-fuelled vehicles, NEVs are a growing and critical niche within the future of worldwide transportation, says the company. With 40 per cent of the world driving less than 40 miles per day, NEVs are optimally suited to satisfy much of the local transportation demands.

9th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Ford Focus RS Runs on Conti SportContact 3

The new Ford Focus RS – the auto manufacturer’s fastest volume model ever – has debuted in its final form at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, stepping out on Continental’s ContiSportContact 3 tyre, sized 235/35ZR19. The appearance follows previews at the London and Paris Motor Shows in 2008.

Lars Frick, an automotive engineer for Ford tyres with Continental, stated that the manufacturer was able to offer the company a tyre appropriate to the needs of the new car: “The Ford Focus RS should be equipped with tyres, which support the sporty driving dynamics and which allows the high torque level of the car to be translated to the road. The emphasis lay on safe handling characteristics and short braking distances, even on wet asphalt. At the same time Ford expected very sporty tyres, which made the driving dynamics tests on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife a very useful process.”

The Focus RS will also be kitted out with the ContiMobilityKit, allowing drivers to repair flats on the fly, as standard.

18th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Australia’s JAXQuickfit Tyres Celebrating 60th Anniversary in 2009

Company News, International News, Product News

Australian tyre retailer JAXQuickfit Tyres is marks its 60th anniversary in 2009, and in this diamond jubilee year the company is also celebrating its third consecutive year of double-digit growth. From humble beginnings in 1949, Jax Tyre, as it was then known, has developed into AUD$100 million a year business with a network of 72 outlets throughout Australia. And having covered much of its home market, JAXQuickfit says it is now looking at expansion overseas.

28th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

DQN Presents Low-Profile, Runflat Fitters

Antwerp, Belgium-based tyre changer manufacturer DQN – Du Quesne is going into its 80th anniversary year with its Pro-Fit and Trident machinery. The company believes that the duo, when used together, represents an excellent solution for “effortless mounting and demounting of low-profile and runflat tyres.”

While the company has offered the Pro-Fit in the past, its newly designed and patented accompanying tool, the Trident, should aid the mounting and demounting process for the most rigid tyres. The Trident is placed under the rim edge when pushing down the upper bead with the helping arm. Then, as the wheel rotates, the tool automatically fixes itself into position and the bead is guided – without other intervention – into the rim base, no matter the resistance of the tyre.

26th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin North America Celebrates Headquarters Anniversary

Michelin North America yesterday celebrated the 20th anniversary of its North American headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina. “Michelin is proud to celebrate two successful decades of our North American headquarters in Greenville,” said Dick Wilkerson, MNA chairman and president. “Many of the employees who moved into this building 20 years ago are here today to celebrate this significant event.”

Michelin relocated its North American operations in 1985 from Lake Success, New York to Greenville. Two years later, MNA broke ground for its current 265,700-square-foot corporate headquarters building, with construction completed in November 1988. In 1995, Michelin built an additional 54,000-square-foot building adjacent to its headquarters. Today, MNA employs 1,750 employees at its headquarters complex. (Tire Review/Akron)

20th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Brisa Celebrates Anniversary of Bridgestone-Sabanci Partnership

On the evening of November 7 Turkish tyre manufacturer Brisa commemorated its 20th anniversary. The company was established through a partnership between Sabanci Holding and Bridgestone in 1988, and senior management from both firms were in attendance at the Four Season Hotel in Istanbul to mark the occasion with a gala dinner.

The Sabanci Holding and Brisa management team, along with Bridgestone Corporation executives hosted a wide range of guest, including representatives from the business world, Brisa’s business partners, company employees and members of the press. Ms Güler Sabanci, chairman of Sabanci Holding, Mr. Shoshi Arakawa, Bridgestone president and CEO and Mr. Bülent Savaş, president of Brisa, shared the history of their partnership and the various successes the 20 years together have yielded.

13th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa’s Dura-Bright Wheels: Just Add Water

Alcoa is promoting the stay-clean qualities of its Dura-Bright wheels. Penetrating the wheel itself, the unique Dura-Bright technology is designed not to crack, peel or corrode. Dura-Bright has also been used in Alcoa’s commercial vehicle range of wheels for some time.

“It was clear that consumers required a new wheel solution that is durable while retaining a high quality, innovative appearance,” explains Mike Parnell, vice president and general manager – Alcoa Auto Wheels. “By being easy to clean and staying clean longer, Dura-Bright technology wheels enhance a vehicle’s appearance allowing Audi A6 [a key OE fitment] owners to enjoy their vehicle while lowering maintenance efforts.”

13th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Delticom Revenues up 20%

Delticom AG has reported revenues of 175 million euros in the first nine months of 2008. Preliminary figures show that by the second anniversary of its IPO (26 October 2006), the company had increased revenues by 20 per cent compared with the same time in 2007 (146 million). Preliminary third quarter revenues can in at over 53 million euros compared with 44.0 million last year.

According to the company, Delticom has acquired more than 480,000 new customers. In addition, almost 170,000 repeat customers have bought Delticom’s products in one of the 95 online shops in 35 countries. This equates to a customer base of more than 2.4 million at the end of September, up around 37 per cent year-on-year.

31st October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Price Reductions Make Motrio Batteries Even Better Value

Motrio, Renault-owned the all-makes parts specialist, has announced significant price reductions across its range of aftermarket batteries. The company believes this reductions positions the its products as one of the most competitive battery ranges in the market place.

Manufactured to matching OE standards and designed to conform with Norm E.N 60095 requirements, when selecting the Motrio battery range the independent garage trade can be certain they are fitting a premium product at a competitive price, says the company, and therefore be certain they are providing motorists with excellent value-for- money. A wide product range allows for product compatibility with the vast majority of applications across the UK car parc, and Motrio batteries come with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty.

17th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Celebrates 10 Years of Poznan, Poland Plant

Happy birthday Bridgestone Poznan. On September 26 staff at the company’s facility in Poland celebrated its tenth anniversary of operation. The 1,300 employees were joined in by over 140 guests to commemorate the occasion, including Japan’s ambassador to Poland, Mr. Ryuichi Tanabe, the CEO of Bridgestone Europe, Mr. Toru Tsuda, members of the press and representatives of local authorities.

6th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Appoints Takagi as New VP, COO

Yasushi Takagi, a 27-year veteran of Toyo, was recently appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. As EVP and COO, Takagi will work with staff in all departments to continuously evaluate sales and marketing efforts in the U.S. and create plans for the future.

“Mr. Takagi brings with him extensive knowledge and understanding of Toyo’s global vision,” said Masaharu Yoshimoto, president and CEO of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “This insight and strategic thinking is extremely important as we continue to grow the Toyo brand in the United States. We are very happy to have him join us.”

From January 2006 to August 2008, Takagi served as general manager of Toyo’s corporate planning department. In this role, he coordinated with all entities of Toyo. He outlined strategies and set goals for global expansion by the company’s 70th anniversary in 2015. He also played a key role in negotiating the recent business alliance with Bridgestone Corp. Prior to January 2006, Takagi held several international positions while in Europe for nearly 20 years, including director of Toyo Tyre (U.K.) and president of Toyo Reifen GmbH (Germany). (Tire Review/Akron)

26th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Avon OE for Morgan Aeromax

The eye catching new Morgan Aeromax has become the latest in a long line of British sports cars to use Avon tyres as OE tyre supplier. Avon will supply its ZZ3 for the British manufacturer’s brand new 362bhp, 170mph machine, which has a 0-62mph speed of just 4.5 seconds. The Aeromax will be Morgan’s flagship model as the marque heads into its 100th anniversary year in 2009.

The Avon ZZ3 is said to have been selected because of its excellent road holding in both wet and dry conditions, and as its predictable high-performance handling characteristics suit the powerful car perfectly. The Aeromax will use Avon’s 225/35 R19 XL 88Y XL ZZ3 at the front and 245/35R19 XL 93Y ZZ3 on the rear.

24th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

2008 Bridgestone eReporter Named

The GP2 end of season ceremony in Monza, Italy was the location Bridgestone decided upon to reveal the 2008 winner of its annual e-reporter competition. On the evening of Sunday September 14, it was revealed this year’s honour goes to French student Guillaume Navarro, whose journalistic talents put him ahead of eight other finalists and a record number of entries from across Europe.

Guillaume’s victory was announced on stage by Franco Annunziato, managing director, Bridgestone Technical Centre Europe – in front of all GP2 teams, drivers, GP2 Series personnel, official suppliers and partners attending the evening celebrations. This year marked the fifth anniversary of the Bridgestone e-reporter competition, and the company celebrated by inviting all previous Bridgestone e-reporter finalists to Monza. A total of 31 graduates joined the celebratory reunion at the Italian Grand Prix – the GP2 series finale – and watched as Guillaume received his prize at the GP2 awards.

17th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors