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Kargro Group Takes Rumal to Asia

Asian tyre markets are perhaps not the easiest markets for a company focusing on the buying and selling of casings and used tyres. However, said Ko van der Heijden, director of the Dutch Kargro group, the Tyrexpo Asia show always has been and still is “a good show for us.” This is true in particular because the Kargro group has put much effort into the development of its subsidiary, Rubber Maalindustrie Limburg, known in short as Rumal. As a recycler of scrap tyres Rumal has been among the leading European tyre market players for two decades now, Mr van der Heijden said. In Rumal’s recycling facility in the Netherlands’ south about 35,000 tonnes of scrap tyres are processed every year and are shredded to become tyre granulates or rubber crumb. These recycled products are then employed as a new raw material for the production of flooring material or shoe soles. While to date Rumal has mostly served customers in Europe, according to the company’s director the Kargro group is now also trying to obtain a foothold in Asian tyre markets– Rumal is actively looking for new customers in Asia.

25th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Tyre Supplier for new Speedcar Series

Michelin has signed a deal with Speedcar Series to provide racing rubber for all cars over the next three seasons. The new championship, which will be contested on circuits in Asia, the Middle East and Australasia, gets underway on January 26 at the Dubai Autodrome and all drivers will be competing on 33/70.15 tyres that have been designed specifically to suit track and weather conditions in Asia and the Middle East.

The partnership with Speedcar will increase Michelin’s global motorsport portfolio, which already includes teams in single-seaters, rally, sportscars and motorcycling, as well as their profile in the region. Benjamin Durand, technical manager of Speedcar Series said: “We are delighted to announce our official partnership with Michelin, a company with a wealth of knowledge and experience garnered from over a century of racing in many different championships. Their input and support will be invaluable to the Speedcar Series. We are looking forward to the development of our relationship with excitement, and are convinced that together we will be able to further the development of the motor racing industry in the respective countries visited by the series.”

19th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Nokian Signs JV Agreement in Kazakhstan

After months of speculation about Nokian Tyres’ involvement in a new project in Kazakhstan, the Finnish manufacturer formalised its commitment to establishing a greenfield passenger car tyre factory in this northern Eurasian nation on October 19 through the signing of an agreement with Kazakhstanian multi-industrial company Ordabasy Corporation JSC.

The two parties’ cooperation will take the form of a joint venture company called Ordabasy – Nokian Tyres JSC. Nokian will hold a 10 per cent stake in the joint venture company, with an option to increase ownership to a minimum of 50 per cent.

19th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

JV Formed for Shock Absorber Supply in Europe

ArvinMeritor and TRW Automotive have laid out plans to form a joint venture for the distribution of aftermarket shock absorbers in Europe, with the planned operation covering all light vehicle shock absorbers both companies’ produce for the region. Operation and distribution through the joint venture is planned to commence in January.

TRW’s vice president for aftermarket in Europe and Asia Pacific, François Augnet, said in a statement that “by combining the strengths of ArvinMeritor’s engineering and manufacturing competencies and the Gabriel brand name with TRW’s extensive sales and distribution network, we are confident that we can roll out successful shock absorber programs for the European independent aftermarket.”

17th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti to Close Credit Facility for Siemens VDO Purchase

Continental AG is closing the syndication of a €13.5 billion loan package, supported by a consortium of international banks. The credit facility will provide the long-term financing for its purchase of the Siemens VDO Automotive unit. Despite what Conti calls ‘challenging conditions in the financial markets’, the transaction was well received and will be healthily oversubscribed. Continental further adds that a total of 39 banks are participating in the financing, which has been led by Citi and Goldman Sachs.

15th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Zeppelin Acquires Chronos Richardson’s MPS Division

Zeppelin Silos & Systems GmbH (Friedrichshafen) has acquired Chronos Richardson’s Materials Processing Systems (MPS) division located in Nottingham, UK establishing a new subsidiary in the city. With the consent of the Antitrust Commission Zeppelin’s acquisition of the “Conveying, Dosing and Weighing and Control Technology” product portfolios from the British manufacturer Chronos Richardson has been completed.

According to the company’s the complementary skills of Zeppelin & Chronos will be beneficial for the future development of the important tyre and rubber manufacturing segment. The control technologies, for which Chronos set recognised technical standards, are expected to complete Zeppelin’s product portfolio and the company says the new enterprise will also become a trend-setter for research and development in various industrial sectors in the future. (The world’s largest test centre for the handling of bulk solids including two purpose built research plants (one for pellets and one for powder) is located at the Zeppelin facility in Friedrichshafen, Germany).

11th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Schrader Wins TPMS Contract with with Mahindra and Mahindra

Antrim-based Schrader Electronics, has announced details of a major new order for its tyre pressure monitoring systems from one of India’s largest vehicle manufacturers, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. The order includes the supply of Schrader’s new snap-in valve sensor to vehicles exported to the North American market, starting in January 2009 and running through to the end of 2011. The new business has led Schrader Electronics of Carrickfergus to open its seventh production line next month.

Mahindra & Mahindra is in the business of manufacturing and marketing utility vehicles and light commercial vehicles, including three-wheelers. It is the market leader in utility vehicles in India and currently accounts for about half of India’s market for utility vehicles. The group exports its products to several countries in Europe, Africa, South America, South Asia and the Middle East.

10th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Aircraft to Expand With New Retreading Facility in China

Birmingham-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO) and Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (TAECO) to establish a tyre retreading facility in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, China. It is intended that a joint venture will be formed with Dunlop Aircraft Tyres as the majority partner and the new facility to be operational in early 2009.

The new follows AAC Capital Partners’ (formerly the private equity business of ABN Amro) acquisition of 74.6 per cent of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres in May this year. The most recent announcement shows that predictions that the expansion in China would come to fruition 12 – 18 months after the sale are right on track. However, at the time of the sale of 74.6 per cent of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres in May, there were also suggestions of expansion in the US. No mention of the progress of these plans has yet been made.

9th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Loadstar is Sri Lanka’s single largest exporter

On September 28, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Solideal Loadstar won three gold awards at the country’s 15th Annual Export Awards, conducted by the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE). The awards were: “Most Outstanding Exporter – Industry Rubber Products Extra Large category”; “Most Outstanding Exporter – Industry Rubber Products”; and “Most Outstanding Exporter – Overall Winner”.

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) has been hosting the prestigious Export Awards Ceremony since 1993 in an effort to recognize and reward export excellence in Sri Lanka. Over the past 15 years, the number of entries has risen from 19 to 132. Applicants were judged on overall net export turnover, export growth, product and market diversification, export values by principal markets, new products introduced, and special certifications.

“Our team in Solideal Loadstar deserves these awards for their hard work and commitment. Worldwide, the Solideal group’s connection to Sri Lanka is a source of pride, especially the great contribution to the economy and the country’s reputation for quality products,” said Cesar Clemente, CEO of the Solideal Group.

8th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Malaysia Appoints New MD

Michelin’s Malaysian operation, Michelin Malaysia Sdn Bhd, has announced the appointment of a new managing director. Former sales development manager for Michelin Asia Pacific Yves Pouliquen began in this role on October 1, taking over from Ronald Sutardja, who is leaving the company.

Pouliquen started his career with Michelin in 1998 as a supply chain manager for the Asia-Pacific region before becoming a territory account manager in 2001.

5th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Grabs Tyrexpo Gold

ECI International has directed kudos in the direction of Apollo Tyres for its stand at the recent Tyrexpo Asia 2007, awarding the Indian tyre major its ‘Gold Award’ for ‘Most Innovative Stand Design.’

The company’s spectacular stand at the Singapore exhibition was constructed in a fresh looking glass and steel style and showcased the company’s product range spanning the three brands of Apollo, Dunlop and Regal. High-speed passenger radial and 4×4 range, commercial super singles, radials and cross-ply and pre-cured tread rubber panels were prominently displayed.

Those in Europe wishing to see Apollo Tyres displaying its wares first hand will have the opportunity to do so next year, as the company has confirmed its participation in the 2008 Reifen Essen show.

28th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyrexpo Asia 2007 ‘Comes of Age’

Increased visitor numbers representing a wider variety of countries and greater numbers of exhibitors taking extra floor space, were the top-line highlights that contributed to a record-breaking sixth Tyrexpo Asia exhibition at the Singapore Expo Centre recently (11-13 September 2007). Figures released by show organiser ECI International confirm that visitor numbers increased by 9 per cent compared to the last event in 2005, with a total of 3,219 people visiting the show from 88 countries. The growing international importance of the exhibition was emphasised by the fact in 2005 only 73 countries were represented by visitors.

Substantial increases were also recorded in terms of the support and commitment from exhibitors. 125 exhibitor stands were booked at the 2007 event compared with 95 in 2005. Meanwhile, the number of exhibitor passes registered rose by as much as 38 per cent, from 535 to 739, while the total exhibition area booked was up by a quarter at 6,500 sq. m, compared to 5,200 sq.m last time.

26th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

China in the firing line

(Rubber Asia) A number of China’s tyre makers are presently having a tough time in the US, but protectionist sentiments may spread to Europe too. While China’s export pricing has much to do with this, China has recently moved to reduce the export incentives that had become such a bone of contention in the West. But the rancour felt particularly in the US goes further and deeper than this.

Some of the current animosities have as much to do with culture as they have with conditioning. The China of today is a young and resourceful economy, whereas its large export markets in North America and Europe are, for the most part, mature economies where the twin burdens of regulation and social protection weigh much more heavily. That is why China’s freebooting ways in particular are causing tensions.

20th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Attendance Up at Tyrexpo Asia

The organisers of Tyrexpo Asia, ECI International, have announced that this year’s attendance figures broke all previous records. A total of 3,219 visitors passed through the Singapore Expo Centre’s gates between September 11 and 13. This represents a 9 per cent increase on the number of visitors at Tyrexpo Asia 2005. Statistics also indicate that guests from more than 88 countries were in attendance.

According to ECI International’s Rowena Suthers, 20 per cent of those exhibiting have already booked their exhibition space for the 2009 Tyrexpo Asia show, scheduled to be held between March 24 and 26, 2009. The earlier date of March has been selected, says Ms Suthers, to “give everyone who supports the show the very best opportunity to maximise their investment.”

20th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Advanced ID Signs $1.8 Million Contract With Kit Loong

Advanced ID Corporation has signed an exclusive, three year commitment contract with Malaysia’s Kit Loong Tyre Management for Advanced ID’s RFID and Pneu-Logic’s Tire Inspection products.

Kit Loong Holdings, one of Southeast Asia’s largest retreaders and tyre distributors works with Goodyear, Dunlop, Michelin, Bridgestone, BF Goodrich, Pirelli, Continental Sime and Cooper. With over 500 employees and revenues exceeding US $40 million, Kit Loong has retreading facilities in Malaysia and China and will install Advanced ID’s RFID tyre tags in their retread operation in Malaysia, with other countries to follow. Kit Loong will purchase Advanced ID RFID readers and Pneu-Logic kits as part of this agreement.

Kit Loong’s territory, covered by this agreement, includes Greater China, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myammar.

19th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors