New Vredestein ‘boots’ for SSE Women’s FA Cup player
According to Apollo Vredestein, Kidderminster Harriers Ladies FC player Lauren Wyatt knows how to get the most traction both on a football field and on the road.
According to Apollo Vredestein, Kidderminster Harriers Ladies FC player Lauren Wyatt knows how to get the most traction both on a football field and on the road.
With the introduction of a new winter tyre, Apollo Tyres now offers some 60 winter products. The latest addition to the tyre maker’s cold weather portfolio is the Apollo Aspire XP Winter, which is being rolled out in 23 sizes to cover most popular fitments.
Apollo Tyres’ manufacturing facilities in Kerala (located in Perambra and Kalamassery) are now returning to normal production levels, according to the company. Production operations in the two plants were affected by heavy floods in the state which prevented employees getting in to work.
Writing in an official statement on the matter, company representatives said: “There is no damage to equipment or property, and all the employees of the company are safe and secure. The production loss due to this natural calamity is 3000 metric tonnes approximately. However, consequential loss of profit is not significant.”
Apollo Tyres’ presence in the truck tyre sector has been bolstered by the appointment of Steve Miller as TBR sales manager, bringing with him over 20 years’ experience, having worked for Kumho on reintroducing the TBR range in the UK, Bridgestone as a national fleet manager (commercial) and Michelin as a sales manager.
With the ramp-up of its plant in Hungary, Apollo Tyres Ltd. is growing in Europe. The company also has ambitious plans in its home market of India – it aims to become the country’s leading tyre maker, and is investing to do so. Total investments over the period between 2015 and 2021 approach £900 million.
Truck tyre production at Apollo Tyres’ factory in Gyöngyöshalász, Hungary will begin before the end of September. According to Gaurav Kumar, chief financial officer of Apollo Tyres Ltd., production is scheduled to start during the July to September quarter and the ramp-up of truck tyre production will then continue and reach a maximum capacity of 1,200 pieces per day by the end of March next year.
During a conference call held this month, the chief financial officer of Apollo Tyres Ltd. confirmed that passenger car tyre production at the Apollo Vredestein plant in Enschede, the Netherlands would be reduced as capacity for these products grows in the company’s new, more cost-competitive facility in Gyöngyöshalász, Hungary. However, this trend shouldn’t be seen as a transfer of capacity, as the plan for Enschede going forwards is for its continued utilisation, with greater emphasis placed upon other segments.
The Apollo Altrust range has grown with the addition of the Altrust All Season. Available from 1 August, the all-season line was specifically developed for light commercial vehicles and is available in 14 sizes.
On 3 April, former Pirelli marketing director Alberto Viganò began a new role at Apollo Tyres. As general manager for the company’s two-wheel division he answers directly to Neeraj Kanwar, vice-chairman and managing director of Apollo Tyres, and is tasked with introducing motorcycle tyre lines in numerous markets – including Europe.
Apollo Vredestein’s UK subsidiary has chosen Treadsetters to handle the sale and distribution of its Apollo truck and bus tyre range across England, Scotland and Wales. Apollo’s debut in Europe’s competitive TBR tyre segment was barely one year ago. The new distribution arrangement represents a change in strategy; the manufacturer had initially said the brand would be available directly from Apollo through an e-commerce system. Apollo Vredestein states the decision to partner with Treadsetters will aid in achieving the tyre manufacturer’s strategy of rapid TBR growth by combining its product range with a highly efficient and experienced distribution partner in the UK.
During the final quarter of its 2017-18 financial year, net sales at Apollo Tyres rose 22 per cent year-on-year to Rs 39.82 billion (£437.3 million). Operating profit increased 33 per cent to Rs 5.59 billion (£61.4 million), while net profit in the three months to 31 March 2018 was up ten per cent to Rs 2.50 billion (£27.5 million).
Apollo Vredestein’s UK office has just appointed Jon Cottrell as the Off-Highway Tyre Specialist for the UK Agricultural & Industrial sectors, to manage that ever-growing side of the marque’s product range.
Jon Cottrell joins Apollo Vredestein UK with immediate effect, bringing with him over 30 years of tyre industry experience, from warehouse to sales management positions.
Apollo has launched the Aspire XP in a total line-up of 52 SKUs, replacing Apollo’s range of Aspire 4G and Apterra HP tyres. The new summer car tyre, which is available now, is being exhibited at the Geneva International Motor Show between 8 and 18 March. The Apollo Aspire XP is manufactured in Europe at the Apollo Vredestein plants in the Netherlands and Hungary.
Apollo Tyres has denied reports published in India’s Economic Times suggesting that it is about to enter the race to acquire Kumho Tire. An Apollo spokesperson told Tyres & Accessories: “Apollo Tyres strongly denies the story headlined ‘Apollo Back in Kumho Race as Geopolitics Sours China Deal’ that appeared in the print edition of The Economic Times on 2 October, 2017.
Apollo Tyres has extended its Premier League football sponsorship, adding Crystal Palace FC to its existing global partnership with Manchester United. As Official Tyre Partner, Apollo will have a significant presence at all the club’s domestic matches.
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