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TyreSafe: Past, Present and Future

Tyre safety body TyreSafe has come a long way since its birth as the Tyre Industry Council in 1992. Chairman, Rob Beddis, explains the evolution of the organisation, what it stands for, its achievements to date and its plans for the future.

TyreSafe as an organisation officially took shape in January 2007, with the aim of evolving into the UK’s leading tyre safety industry body. The Tyre Industry Council was originally formed by tyre industry associations with the intention of raising consumer awareness of the dangers of illegal or defective tyres. The original membership comprised the British Rubber Manufacturers Association (BRMA), now the British Tyre Manufacturers Association (BTMA), and the Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association along with support from major tyre retailers.

24th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Assurance Gains Top Award From China’s Auto Magazine

After undergoing extensive testing, Goodyear’s Assurance tyre has received the 2008 “Annual Product of the Year Award” from Auto Magazine, one of China’s most respected automotive publications. Upon delivering word of this distinction, Goodyear comments that the Assurance, introduced in China last April, provides drivers with outstanding traction and performance – and therefore enhanced confidence. The tyre accomplishes this, says Goodyear, by incorporating Kevlar fibre along with a silica-based sidewall compound to help resist cuts and tears. The Assurance tyre’s ArmorGrip Technology also sports an array of interlocking waffle blades and additional silica-based compounds within its tread that provides enhanced lateral stability and de-coupling power to assist grip over varied road conditions and on both wet and dry surfaces.

21st November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Rubbery Figures

According to the International Rubber Study Group, the European Union is currently the third largest regional consumer of natural and synthetic rubber. In 2007, Europe’s consumption of natural rubber reached 1.373 million tonnes, 14 per cent of global natural rubber consumption. The Singapore based organisation notes that European consumption increased 1.7 per cent since 2005, a much smaller increase that the 10.9 per cent growth in global consumption. For synthetic rubber, the IRSG reports the EU consumption in 2007 to be 2.616 million tonnes, a 20 per cent share of global consumption.

21st November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

ArvinMeritor 2008 Results Show Reduced Losses, Increased Sales

ArvinMeritor reports achieving sales of US$1.72 billion in the quarter ending September 30, an increase of 8 per cent on the corresponding quarter of 2007. Operating income during this, the company’s fourth quarter, is reported as $40 million, up from the previous year’s quarterly loss of $16 million. The vehicle systems and components manufacturer’s net loss, however, was substantially larger than in the fourth quarter of 2007, standing at $153 million, as opposed to $62 million.

For the full financial year to September 30, sales were $7.167 billion, up 11.1 per cent from the 2007 year. ArvinMeritor attributes this improved result to strength in Europe and South America. The company’s operating income of $186 million showed a 251 per cent improvement, and net loss, at $101 million, was far lower than in 2007, when a net loss of $219 million was recorded.

20th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Rhodia inaugurates Shanghai R&D Centre

On November 19 Rhodia inaugurated its new International Research & Development Center, located in Shanghai. Created to focus upon the group’s activities in the Asia-Pacific zone, this centre is the fifth major R&D centre operating by Rhodia globally. As such, Rhodia says it will help the group achieve its ambitious growth and development objectives in Asia.

Rhodia reports the centre will specialise on the development of high technology innovations that respect the principles of sustainable development and aim to provide cost-effective solutions for the automotive, electrical, electronic and other markets.

20th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Lanxess Increases 2008 Earnings Forecast

Specialty chemicals company Lanxess AG has increased its net sales for the third quarter of 2008, however in keeping with the current economic climate these higher sales figures have not equalled greater net income. Quarterly sales of 1.81 billion euros for the period ending September 30 represented an increase of 6.4 per cent. Pre exceptionals EBITA, at 191 million euros, was also up on last year’s 175 million euros in the third quarter. BBIT, pre exceptionals, was 119 million euros, 6.3 per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2007. The company’s quarterly net income of 56 million euros represented a decrease of 25.3 per cent.

14th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Affinia Complete China Buy

Affinia has completed the acquisition of 85 per cent of Chinese brake component maker HBM Investment Ltd., owner of Longkou Haimeng Machining Co. Located in Shandong, China, Longkou Haimeng produces brake drums and rotors, and has a strong OE and aftermarket presence in Asia and Europe. (Tire Review/Akron)

13th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Old Tyres to Tread in Timberland Shoes

When they’ve finished doing service on your car, that set of old tyres removed by the local garage or fast fit can now potentially return and see further life on your feet. Footwear manufacturer Timberland has teamed up with Green Rubber to launch two new collections featuring outsoles made using recycled rubber from discarded tyres. These outsoles will contain a 50/50 blend of Green Rubber compound and virgin rubber compound, the blend of the two materials necessary in order to maintain the durability and performance characteristics Timberland footwear is known for.

12th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

TyreCheck to Invest in Sales and R&D Following Windfall

Ireland based tyre management solutions company TyreCheck has received 2.4 million euros from Enterprise Ireland and the Allied Irish Bank Seed Capital Fund, which will be invested into the company’s R&D and international sales capabilities. TyreCheck says the funds will create 11 new jobs.

10th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Reports Q3 Net Loss

Cooper Tire & Rubber has reported a net loss of US$55 million, or 94 cents per share, for the financial quarter that ended September 30, 2008. This result contrasts markedly from the company’s result for the same period in 2007, in which it recorded a net profit of $30.2 million. The company says its results were pressured by unprecedented raw material cost increases, higher utility costs, and production curtailments due to raw material shortages caused by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region.

10th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Strong Bekaert Sales Driven by High Raw Material Prices

In the first nine months of 2008 Bekaert achieved consolidated sales of 2.047 billion euros and combined sales of 3.119 billion euros, an increase of 28.8 per cent and 24.0 per cent respectively. Bekaert reports that organic growth accounted for a growth in consolidated sales of 24.7 per cent, largely driven by the passed on raw material price rises, and the net movement in acquisitions and divestments in Vicson (Venezuela) and in Proalco (Colombia) accounted for 7.9 per cent. Exchange rate fluctuations tempered the growth by 3.8 per cent.

7th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Grass Roots Environmentalism

With raw materials continually rising in cost and supplies becoming stretched further all the time, one more solution to the problem of expensive natural rubber supply may be on the cards. Cooper is partnering The Program of Excellence in Natural Rubber Alternatives (PENRA) to research the possibilities of a new domestic source. At the head of the field of possibilities is the Russian Dandelion, scientifically known as Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS). Its roots can be processed into natural rubber, which would serve as the polymer for multiple compound components of a tyre, including the sidewall, base and tread. Russian Dandelions have a similar appearance to more common dandelions but also possess a more complex root system.

“Cooper is extremely excited to participate in this innovative ‘green’ project,” said Chuck Yurkovich, Cooper Tire’s vice president of Global Technology. “This new process involves forward-thinking technology with potential to bring a competitive substitute supply of natural rubber that will be produced in the United States, reducing our dependency on off shore imports. In addition to providing a supply of natural rubber that is critical to a number of industries, it’s also an opportunity for Cooper to remain competitive in the market place with an environmentally friendly product that creates jobs here in the United States.”

6th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Profits Down 45% in Third Quarter

Third quarter sales grew 24 per cent year on year at Hankook Tire, the company’s latest figures reveal. However, as has been the case with so many companies in this second half of 2008, increased sales have not translated into a better bottom line.

5th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti to Implement Cost Reduction Programmes

In light of slowing world markets, as highlighted by the company’s latest quarterly financial figures, Continental is cutting back production at a number of its facilities. Amongst the measures to be introduced to this effect are a shortening of the working week, a prolonged end of year shutdown period, and a reduction in the number of temporary employees on the company’s payroll.

“Continental is well prepared for the difficult challenges ahead,” said Executive Board chairman Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “Nonetheless, we have initiated additional programmes to cut costs. For instance, in the Automotive Group we will reduce the number of temporary workers, greatly lengthen the plant holiday shutdown period at the end of the year by using the existing work time accounts, and, depending on the location and the order situation, deviate downwards from the five-day-week until further notice. Furthermore, we are putting investments that are not urgent on hold,”

3rd November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Sees Q3 Profits Fall

Goodyear has released its Q3 financial report, showing a drop in quarterly profit. News sources suggest that weak demand in both OE and replacement markets are responsible. However shares are up 14 per cent following the net income announcement, because the quarterly profit of $31 million ($0.13 per share) beat very low expectations. Last year, the company’s net profit for Q3 was at $668 million ($2.75 per share), boosted by the sale of its engineered products division.

The company reports a $19 million operating loss in the North American market, way down from last year’s profit of $66 million. “The tyre industry is facing challenging business conditions as the global financial crisis and slowing economic conditions are impacting consumer demand,” stated Goodyear CEO Robert Keegan. However, there was better news in Latin America and Asia-Pacific regions, where the company’s profits grew.

3rd November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors