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German Machinery Sees Orders Decline

Machinery used in the processing of plastic and rubber is experiencing difficulties as a knock-on effect from industries such as tyre manufacturing. According to the VDMA trade association of German plastics and rubber machinery producers, orders for German plastics and rubber machinery in the first half of 2008 have declined by seven per cent compared with the same period in 2007.

Orders had previously seen a continuous rise throughout 2007 up until 2008’s Q1. Therefore, the VDMA describes the situation as a turning point. Having said that, the high number of outstanding orders means that the association is not changing its full year 2008 forecast. It predicted an increase of 8 per cent in turnover to a value of 5.6 billion euros for core plastics and rubber machinery. However, considering the decline in orders, the association admitted that the decline would be felt in forecasts for turnover in 2009.

12th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Automechanika Malaysia to Promote ASEAN Auto Industry

Automechanika Malaysia (previously known as Automechanika Asia) will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia’s most modern event facility between 25 – 29 March 2009. Over the past six years, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has extensively promoted this fair as part of the Malaysian Government’s initiative to further develop the automotive industry in Malaysia and across the ASEAN region.

The last fair, held for the first time in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre during 2007 attracted more than 5,480 buyers from 60 countries and regions. There was strong attendance from China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, supporting the majority of visitors from Malaysia. Altogether in 2007 there were 151 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions at the fair: Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

11th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan Wheels Australia’s Indonesian Operation Commences

Titan Europe has announced that its Titan Wheels Australia Pty Ltd subsidiary has commenced operations in Balikpapan Kalimantan, Indonesia. The business operation will trade as PT Titan Wheels Indonesia and will initially run as a sales and distribution outlet for products manufactured and marketed by Titan Wheels Australia. Company personnel will also be trained in the non destructive testing and wheel repair business.

11th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Secures Sponsorship Deal for World Cup Qualifiers

As an official sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Continental AG has secured significant television coverage for itself during the 260 qualification group matches to be played in Europe. Continental will appear on four of the advertising hoardings in the stadiums used for more than 170 matches, and the television images broadcasted around the world will extend Conti’s presence to millions of TV screens.

4th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Australia Appoints New Chair and CEO

Shojiro Hara has been named the new chairman and chief executive officer of Bridgestone Australia. Currently the managing director of Bridgestone Asia Pacific in Singapore, Hara will take up the new role in October.

2nd September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Analysts Welcome Michelin’s Plans to Cancel Mexico Plant

A few days after the news that Michelin was walking away from earlier plans to build a new factory on a Greenfield site in Mexico, financial analysts have lauded the decision as “a wise move.” Michelin initially announced its plans to invest up to $740 million by 2014 in a second passenger car and light truck tyre plant in Mexico last year. Construction was due to begin in late 2008, the production line was expected to start running in 2010 when output would begin towards its 15 million passenger car tyres-a-year target.

The strategy here was believed to be for Michelin’s management to use significant natural attrition of the company’s North America work force to transfer production from the US to Mexico, where labour costs are reportedly four times than in the US.

1st September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Aircraft Tyre Production Begins at Bridgestone’s Tokyo Plant

Production of new aircraft radial tyres has begun at Bridgestone’s Tokyo Plant in August, reports the company following the completion of the facility’s initial phase. Once the Tokyo Plant is fully completed, which will likely occur by the end of 2011, Bridgestone estimates the factory’s overall production capacity of new aircraft tyres will be approximately 2.5 times the current level.

26th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Industry Set to Take Larger Slice of India’s NR Cake

The share of natural rubber consumed by the tyre industry in India is likely to increase in the years to come, says the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA). At a presentation in the city of Kochi, ATMA director general Rajiv Budhraja commented that the consumption of natural rubber by the tyre sector has been consistently increasing, and at present the sector consumes 57 per cent of all natural rubber produced in India. However he added that demand-supply imbalanced and volatile prices in the domestic natural rubber market might cause the tyre sector to become more dependent upon imported rubber in the future.

22nd August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop India to Import Radial, OTR Tyres

Further to the Ruia Group’s plans for Dunlop India outlined on August 19, the company is reportedly looking to source radial and larger size OTR tyres from overseas to fill gaps in its own domestic production programme. Some 10 to 15 containers of tyres will initially be imported from East Asia and sold in the Indian market under the Dunlop brand name.

20th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

World Rubber Summit and Tyrexpo Asia Join Forces

The International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) is to stage its next World Rubber Summit alongside TyrexpoAsia09. The news means delegates, speakers and exhibitors from both events can take advantage of the enormous networking and information sharing opportunities provided. Making the announcement, Dr Hidde Smit, the IRSG’s secretary-general, said: “Joining forces with TyrexpoAsia is a perfect opportunity for us to add real value to our World Rubber Summit in Singapore. I know this will be welcomed by the hundreds of delegates, speakers and high profile figures from the global rubber industries who will be in Singapore next March.

12th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Largest Rally in Asia Sponsored by Yokohama

Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., is to support the largest FIA-certified cross country rally in Asia – the “Asia Cross Country Rally 2008.” The event started yesterday and is scheduled to held until 16 August where it will end in Thailand. The company has sponsored the rally for eight consecutive years, beginning in 2001.

The Asia Cross Country Rally began in 1997 to promote international goodwill and friendship among Asian nations. In contrast to the Dakar Rally, formerly known as the Paris-Dakar Rally, as well as a popular rally in Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, in which driving is primarily across deserts, in the Asia Cross Country Rally vehicles compete over a challenging course of about 2,500 kilometers, including dirt, mud, sand, jungle, mountain roads and river crossings. This year’s course starts in Bangkok and finishes at Phuket, Thailand. Every year more than 30 vehicles are expected to participate in the rally from Asia and Europe.

11th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Supporting Asia Cross Country Rally

For the eighth consecutive year, Yokohama Rubber has announced it will support the largest FIA-certified cross country rally in Asia – the “Asia Cross Country Rally 2008” – to be held from August 10 (Sunday) through 16 (Saturday) in Thailand.

The Asia Cross Country Rally began in 1997 to promote international goodwill and friendship among Asian nations. In contrast to the Dakar Rally, in which driving is primarily across deserts, in the Asia Cross Country Rally vehicles compete over a challenging course of about 2,500 kilometres, including dirt, mud, sand, jungle, mountain roads and river crossings. The course of this year will start from Bangkok and finish at Phuket, Thailand. Every year more than 30 vehicles are expected to participate in the rally from Asia and Europe.

8th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Asia Sales Make Up for US Decline, Says Lanxess

Global number two producer of butyl rubber for use in tyres, Lanxess AG, believes the decline in demand from US tyre manufacturers will more than be compensated for by sales in China and India. CFO Matthias Zachert informed Bloomberg that the company’s experience in the US, where rising fuel prices are prompting motorists to drive less and therefore require fewer tyres, is a ‘relatively moderate decline.’

“The growth rates you have in India and China are, in absolute terms, clearly outpacing whatever little percentage you are going to lose on miles being driven,” he said.

8th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Joint African Import Tax Causing Harm, Says Sameer

A shared tax threshold for imported products is hampering Sameer Africa’s efforts to expand, the Kenyan company claims. The manufacturer of the Yana brand of tyres says that the common external tariff protocol, agreed upon in 2005 by the East African Community Customs Union, has led to a flood of new and retreaded tyres from markets with lower production costs. This tax, applicable on new commercial vehicle tyres, currently stands at 10 per cent; previously tax rates between 25 and 35 per cent were employed to protect the viability of local manufacturers.

5th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Sees Q2 $22 Million Net Loss

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has reported a second quarter loss of $22 million – or 38 cents per share – though net sales reached record $773 million, an increase of $43 million over the prior year.

The increased revenues were partially the result of pricing and improved mix offset by decreased tyre unit volumes in North America. Cooper faced intense challenges during the quarter that adversely affected operating results, including record-high raw material costs, increased utility costs, and weak market demand in North America. Raw material shortages also led to Cooper’s decision to temporarily curtail production during the quarter in North America.

5th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors