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Indian Truck and Bus Tyre Production Up

(India/Rubber Asia) Truck and bus tyre production continues to increase and now accounts for 65 per cent of the total turnover of the industry in terms of value. Recently released January 2005 figures show that, in terms of volume, total production is just below the million unit mark – standing at 947,000 compared with 934,000 a year ago. Passenger car tyres production in India reached 1.06 million units, while LCV tyre production for January stood at 353,000 units. The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association figures show that some 221,000 units were exported.

21st March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

2005 China International Tire Expo

CITEXPO, the largest tyre exhibition in China is publicising its change of venue. The exhibition venue has moved from Shanghai East Asia Exhibition Center to a much bigger venue – Shanghai Everbright Exhibition Center. The exhibition’s organisers say that show aims to bridge the gaps between the soaring tyre industry in China and companies from overseas. After being launched in 2003 the second CITEXPO attracted over 100 exhibitors and 5000 visitors from a range of tyre industry roles including manufacturers, buyers, distributors, wholesalers, direct retail and manufacturing purchasers. This year, CITEXPO will be held from 14 – 16 December 2005.

17th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyres & Accessories Expands International Agreement

Tyres & Accessories is pleased to announce that it has extended its editorial cooperation agreement to include magazines from South Africa (Southern Africa Treads), Asia (Rubber Asia) and Australia (Australian Tyre Dealer). The enhanced group, together with existing partners, Tire Review, NeueReifenZeitung and Tyres & Accessories now have a unique partnership designed to further enhance each magazine’s ability to provide its readers with high quality global information.

16th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Indian Budget: Good News For Tyre Business

The new year, or at least the new financial year, will give the Indian Tyre industry something to cheer about. That is since the government published its Central Budget for 2005/2006 financial year and the and excise and customs relief that came with it, Rubber Asia reports.

11th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Names New Head of Chinese Operations

Goodyear has announced the appointment of John Tseng as chairman and president, Goodyear Greater China. Tseng previously served as corporate vice president and general manager digital and film imaging systems for Eastman Kodak’s North Asia operations.

10th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodway Hosts Visit by Large Retreading Equipment Manufacturer

Malaysian-based tread solutions company, Goodway, recently welcomed Dr Aldo Ghitturi, chairman of Italmatic Srl to its Nilai plant. The visit of one of the world’s largest retreading machine manufacturers was part of on-going efforts to foster closer business relationship between Malaysian and Italian companies. According to a Rubber Asia report, it is also part of Goodway’s vision and latest aggressive business expansion plans, which will see it form strategic alliances with reputable companies worldwide. Goodway is confident that it will soon form successful strategic partnerships that will help capture new markets in Europe. The venture is designed to raise the profile of ‘Supercool’ as a premium product in European markets.

10th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental’s Tsunami Pledge Goes to Homeless and Fishermen

The $500,000 pledged by Continental AG to the victims of the tsunami in Asia will go mainly to the benefit of the homeless and fishermen, a company statement explains. A large share of the funds will be put to use in Malaysia, where the automotive supplier also has two tyre plants. Indonesia and Sri Lanka will also receive aid.

8th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Worries About Raw Material Prices

During last week’s Geneva Motor show Michelin is reported to have said that the situation surrounding raw materials is “very worrying” and rising prices will continue to place severe pressure on the company during 2005.

“This year, the environment for raw materials remains tense, which is causing strong pressure on prices, and as a consequence on our costs,” said research and development director Didier Miraton in Geneva.
“There is no situation of us having a shortage but the tension is very worrying,” he added.

Michelin has decided to raise prices by an average of five per cent in Europe until July 2005 to offset increased raw material costs. Miraton said he expected the situation to continue as mobility needs in Asia would drive demand, stressing that there was “a need to find ways to make better use of raw materials”.

7th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Lanxess Inaugrates New HQ

Lanxess, the Japanese subsidiary of the Leverkusen-based chemicals group, has inaugurated its new headquarters in Tokyo.

Referring to the ceremony, Dr Martin Wienkenhöver, Lanxess board member, who is in charge of Asian business, said that Japan is “the most important market in Asia.” The company manufacturers solid rubber for automotive tyres in Japan and other countries.

7th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Is there a Future for Passenger Car Tyre Retreading?

The European market doesn’t appear to hold a bright future for retreaded passenger car tyres. Just recently one of the biggest manufacturers of the tyres, Reiff Reifen + Autotechnik GmbH, withdrew from this segment. Nokian Tyres has also taken a similar decision: the Finnish tyre manufacturer has sold its passenger car retreading plant to a Swedish company even though its retreading business was recently brought together under the roof of a new “profit centre”.

1st March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Invests

Bridgestone has announced that it will invest 227 billion yen (£1.13 billion) in its global tyre manufacturing business between 2003 and 2007. In the announcement the company explained that is has been operating a kind of five-year investment plan, in order to meet growth in demand. According to a Deutsche Bank report, the company is to invest 88 billion yen (£438 million) in addressing the shift in demand towards high-performance tyres and tyres of large rim sizes.

To meet the increase in demand for passenger car tyres in emerging markets, Bridgestone is investing 49 billion yen (£244 million) in the expansion of its production capacity in Asia and Latin America. The company is also planning to put 50 billion yen (£249 million) towards serving the growing demand for truck and bus tyres and tyres for construction equipment. In addition the company is planning to have spent another 40 billion yen (£199 million) on raw material production expansion by the end of its investment programme.

28th February 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

21 Per Cent Sales Growth at Bekaert

Last year Bekaert achieved a 21 per cent consolidated sales growth. The total now stands at 2.2 billion euros of which 1.5 billion euros were generated in the “Advanced Wire Products“ business segment. Above average growth mainly took place in developing markets such as Latin America and Asia where the Belgian steel cord supplier managed to achieve a turnover of plus 32 and plus 49 per cent, respectively. Bekaert explains that these positive developments were the result of “organic growth” in 2004, but also acquisitions like the one in Slovakia. The company’s 2004 results will be published in March.

22nd February 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Varta Brings Hi-Tech Battery to Asia

ASIA dynamic, Varta’s new range of starter batteries, has been designed to satisfy the needs of Japanese cars and 4x4s. The range of 14 part numbers conforms to the Japanese Industry Standards (JIS) and offers improved performance to alternatives currently on offer in the Far East, says the company.

The battery incorporates Varta’s calcium-silver technology, which is new to the Japanese, and other Pacific Rim marques. “Calcium-silver alloy construction provides up to 20 per cent longer service life than traditional JIS lead acid batteries,” explains the manufacturer.

Power ratings range from 40 A/h up to 95 A/h, the later version is also vibration proof for use in 4×4 off road vehicles.

21st February 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone UK Appoints New Marketing Director

Bridgestone UK has appointed Junichi Kumano as marketing director at Bridgestone UK. Mr Kumano has worked for Bridgestone since 1988 in countries including Singapore, India, Vietnam, and his home nation of Japan in various sales and marketing roles. His most recent position was manager of export sales at Bridgestone Japan. His new post is his first outside of Asia.

“I am honoured to have joined Bridgestone UK as it has always been an ambition of mine to work in Europe,” said Mr Kumano. “I am looking forward to working with each member of the marketing department to ensure we achieve the company’s objective of ‘steady, profitable growth’ while continuing to meet our customers’ needs.” Mr Kumano replaces Chikuma Otsuki, who is now director of sales and marketing for commercial products at Bridgestone Europe.

17th February 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Announces 3 per cent Sales Increase

In the first three months of the 2005 financial year Yokohama reported 305.9 billion yen (£1.54 billion) of net sales, a three per cent increase on the previous year. The company explains that strong overseas sales offset the negative impact of the high yen. Results for the period ended 31 December 2004, also showed that operating income dropped to 17.5 billion yen (£88 million). At the same time net income decreased 6.9 per cent to (roughly £41.23 million)

Yokohama reports that tyre sales were “solid” overseas, especially in North America, Asia and Europe, while replacement sales in Japan grew. Sales of the Tire Group therefore increased 4.3 per cent to 226 billion yen (£1.14 billion). The management maintains its full year projections, saying that Yokohama will record a 4.6 per cent gain in net sales, a 9.1 per cent increase in operating income, a 4.3 per cent rise in ordinary income and a 3.2 per cent drop in net income.

16th February 2005/by Tyrepress Editors