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India’s ATMA Calls for the Elimination of Rubber Duties

Days after Indian tyre manufacturers and their representative body, the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), called for a reduction of duties on natural rubber imports into the country, ATMA appears to be calling for duties to be scrapped entirely. According to India’s The Hindu newspaper, lobbying for an elimination of tariffs has been paired with lobbying for the government to encourage the export of value added products rather than raw rubber.

18th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

European Winter Tyre Slump May Continue in 2008

According to Deutsche Bank’s Equity Research Automotive Group, the dismal year for winter tyres experienced by our German neighbours may well be repeated in 2008. The winter tyre market represents 55 million units, 20 per cent of Europe’s replacement market. Half of these high margin products are sold in Germany, and in 2007 the winter tyre market decreased by 15 per cent, and by a substantial 30 per cent in the fourth quarter alone. As a result, winter tyre pricing is reported to be negative, and both manufacturers and dealers retain substantial stock levels in inventory. This situation is perhaps of particular concern to Germany’s Continental tyre, for which winter tyres represent approximately 17 per cent of passenger car tyre sales.

18th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Eliokem Buys Apar Polymer Division

Eliokem, the global specialty chemical company, has completed the acquisition of the Polymer Division from Apar Industries Ltd, India on 15 February 2008 for 1.11 billion Indian rupees (14.2 million pounds; 19 million euros; US$ 28 million). Following the acquisition Eliokem’s global revenues will reach € 200 million for a combined capacity in excess of 100,000 tons of polymer.

According to the company, the plant, located in the petrochemical zone in the Western Indian state of Gujarat, complements Eliokem’s offering in nitrile polymers and polyblends styrene butadiene reinforcing resins and latices for serving the tyre and rubber industries.

15th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti May Eliminate 2,000 VDO Jobs

It appears as if Continental plans to reduce the workforce at its VDO automotive electronic unit by 2,000 jobs. Germany’s Financial Times Deutschland reports that sources within Continental have disclosed that cuts will occur at the recently acquired unit, however the company declined to officially comment to the German financial newspaper.

A reduction of 2,000 jobs includes the 500 job cuts Siemens was considering before the unit’s purchase by Continental. Financial Times Deutschland further commented that, should the details of the cuts be accurate, they might in part allay concerns of the IG Metall trade union, which feared that up to 7,000 jobs may have faced the axe.

15th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

BorgWarner Expands in Hungary

Reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions plays a major role in the automotive industry. In response to these demands and to increasing European demand for turbochargers, BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems has enlarged its facility in Oroszlány , Hungary.

Among the company and government officials attending the recent inauguration ceremony in the town (situated 80 km from Budapest) were Roger Wood, President and General Manager of BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems, the American Ambassador April Foley, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy Géza Egyed and plant manager Kornél Schmidt. Thanks to rapid growth in the turbocharger industry and to the successful co-operation with numerous customers a new hall was built, covering an area of 4650 m2. The increased total space is now 13.500 m2 and 600 people are currently employed.

15th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental to Build Hungary ESC Test Centre

International automotive supplier Continental AG has announced plans to invest 10 million euros in building a new proving ground for ABS and ESC development at its Veszprém, Hungary site. In addition, by 2011, the division will have created around 100 new jobs for skilled workers and engineers at the location.

The new proving grounds for ABS and ESC will comprise high-adhesion, low-adhesion and rough-road test facilities, as well as a specially designed vehicle dynamics facility for applications testing. Building work on the proving grounds is slated for completion by the beginning of 2009.

14th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Carlisle Net Sales Increase in 2007

Carlisle Companies Incorporated reported net sales of US$675.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, an 11 per cent improvement over its fourth quarter 2006 net sales of $608.7 million. For the full year ended December 31, 2007, net sales were $2.88 billion, a 12 per cent increase over net sales of $2.56 billion in 2006. Organic growth of 7 per cent was driven by increased sales volumes across all reporting segments.

“2007 was another successful year for Carlisle with fourth quarter and full year sales growth in all of our segments,” commented company chairman, president and CEO David Roberts. “Our attention is now turned to the opportunities ahead. We have established a five year average sales growth target of 10 per cent and have set our sights on achieving a 15 per cent operating income margin by 2012. We plan to reach these goals through a combination of operating excellence and strategic growth.”

13th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Credential Leaves Durham Site, Seeks New Premises

One of the UK’s largest recyclers of end of life tyres, Credential Automotive, is on the move – but stresses that all is “business as usual” for the firm. The recycler’s Durham site was subleased from tyre remoulder C-Tyres, who in turn leased it from Manchester based property developer Jacob Adler. However C-Tyres’ entry into administration last November and the forfeiture notice for non-payment of rent served by Adler (upon C-Tyres) appears to have changed Credential’s position considerably; the factors driving the recycler’s departure are said to be a rent increase combined with a disagreement with the landlord.

Credential is now operating from a temporary location in Birtley while it seeks new premises for its equipment and 15 staff.

13th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Indian Tyre Manufacturers Seek Rubber Duty Reduction

A number of Indian tyre manufacturers have called for import duty on rubber to be reduced in the forthcoming national budget in order to rectify an anomaly that sees this raw material attracting a higher duty than tyres imported from overseas. According to a statement released by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association, (ATMA) many of the country’s 43 domestic manufacturers are seeking a change from the current 20 per cent duty down to 7.5 per cent, as it is believed this reduced rate will deter the dumping of tyres from China and other countries.

12th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

TRW Appoints O’Gara to CV Sales and Marketing Director

TRW Automotive Aftermarket has appointed industry expert James O’Gara to the newly created role of HCV sales and marketing director for the UK and Ireland. O’Gara will report to Tim Ward, operations director, TRW Automotive Aftermarket UK. According to the company, the news forms part of TRW’s product and marketing plans for 2008; and is a bid to further develop the heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) sector.

James O’Gara (42) joins TRW from his most recent position as sales and marketing director, Brake Engineering. Prior to that he worked at Delphi with the Lockheed brand. With experience totalling some 23 years in the UK IAM, James has particular knowledge of the commercial vehicle market and gained significant industry experience when he was responsible for developing and selling CV products for Borg & Beck into the aftermarket.

11th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Fred Sutter Carlisle Tire Transportation Products President

David Roberts, Carlisle Companies’ chairman, president and CEO, has announced a series of “key management changes” that include the appointment of Fred Sutter as Group President of the firm’s Transportation Products division. Sutter joins Carlisle from Graco Inc. where he most recently served as Vice President and General Manager of the Applied Fluid Technologies Division. During his tenure at Graco, Sutter also served as Vice President of the Industrial and Automotive Equipment Divisions and as Vice President, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Sutter joined Graco from the Emerson Process Group, a division of Emerson Electric. Sutter holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

11th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Chicago Pneumatic Buys Japanese Tool Manufacturer

Chicago Pneumatic Vehicle Service Division recently acquired Tokyo based KTS Co. Ltd., a leading Japanese maker of handheld air tools for the vehicle service market. The agreement, which was signed in December 2007, further strengthens the presence of CPVS, and its range of tools and associated products to the automotive aftermarket sector, in Japan and Asia.

KTS’ product range includes Power Magnum branded tools as well as air tools sold under other OEM brands. KTS serves the second largest automobile market in the world, providing Chicago Pneumatic with a brand, sales force and manufacturing arm which will facilitate fast growth in Japan and throughout Asia.

8th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

First New MG Roadsters Expected in May

Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) is aiming to start producing MG TF roadsters in Nanjing in May and at its plant in Longbridge, Birmingham, within three months of then, a senior executive told the Financial Times. However the cars relaunch could be delayed further by quality and production.

According to the report, MG is also studying at least three new models, including a replacement for the TF, which it hopes to produce from 2010, Chen Hong, SAIC’s president told the newspaper. About 70 per cent of the new model’s manufacture – including their engines – will be made in China. The remaining 30 per cent is expected to be produced in Europe.

7th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Fifth Azerbaijan Autoshow to be Held in March

The fifth annual Azerbaijan International Automotive Exhibition – Autoshow 2008, takes place between 13 and 16 March 2008 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Alongside it Autoparts 2008 will showcase the region’s aftermarket offerings. The event is organised by the British Company ITE Group PLC (www.ite-exhibtions.com) and it’s partner in the Caucasus – ITECA Caspian LLC (www.iteca.az). AutoShow 2008 presents the opportunity to meet the traders and representatives of business circles from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Turkey, Iran and Central Asia. You can visit the official site at www.autoshow.az.

6th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Universal Chooses Credential

The South East’s largest independent tyre distributor, Universal Tyre and Autocentres, has handed a two-year contract to market-leading Credential Automotive for waste tyre collection from its 15 depots. Established in 1923, Dartford-based Universal supplies, fits and services cars, trucks, agricultural, earthmoving vehicles and motor cycle tyres for private and fleet owners. The profile fits neatly with Credential’s model, according to the company.

6th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors