Awards
Motor Codes, the OFT-approved garage scheme operator, has announced the shortlist of businesses in the running for its Garage of the Year title. Thousands have voted in the annual initiative that helps uncertain motorists know where to turn for top-class customer service. Over 7,000 garages from across the UK, all subscribers to Motor Codes' government-backed code of practice, put themselves up for public scrutiny.
The use of recycled tyre rubber in the production of new tyres hasn’t really taken off yet, and a main reason for this is because the rubber powder produced by traditional recycling methods doesn’t always reach the level of purity required by new tyre makers – indeed, the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association opines that “while in the EU around 39 per cent of material from end of life tyres is recovered [this includes rubber, but also steel and fabric], recycled materials cannot be used as a substitute for natural rubber in new tyres because of technical limitations.” But now a firm in Hungary claims to have perfected a process that removes every last trace of steel from the rubber powder, thereby overcoming this limitation. Speaking with Tyres & Accessories during February’s Tire Technology Expo in Germany, Gábor Kostyál, CEO of HungaroJet Ltd., described the technology involved and how it can benefit the tyre and rubber industry.
At the end of February, commercial production of Ekoprena began in Malaysia. Currently one company, Felda Rubber Industries, is the sole manufacturer of this epoxidised natural rubber, and senior marketing manager Sarimah Nasir told Tyres & Accessories that Felda is preparing to produce between 200 and 300 tonnes of Ekoprena and Pureprena deproteinised natural rubber per month this year.
Korean manufacturer Nexen Tyre has announced its plans to increase production at its Chinese plant in Qingdao from eight to ten million units, this year. Speaking in front of around 100 Chinese dealers at the 2013 Nexen Tyre Annual Awards in Yunnan, China, Nexen said it also plans to expand its sales activities with more intensive regional marketing and innovate market-specific products from its Qingdao research and development centre.
Hankook Tire has been awarded two iF Design Awards for its Ventus S1 evo2 Motion Graphic Brochure and Eco Motion Graphic Brochure animated product films. Both have both been awarded the 2013 iF Design Award in the ‘communication’ category. This marks the third time that Hankook has received the internationally recognised design award; the tyre maker also gained this distinction in 2009 and 2011.
In addition to launching its FLEXX Belt Maker at this week’s Tire Technology Expo – for which it won the show’s ‘Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year’ award – VMI introduced its new tyre production equipment control portal. Called Cortexx, the new control portal is said to be a user-friendly system that employs the same look-and-feel for user interfaces across all machines, making it easier for operators and maintenance technicians to work across several pieces of equipment.
At the 13th annual Tire Technology Expo awards, held last night in Cologne, Apollo Tyres was honoured as Tire Manufacturer of the Year. Shortlisted alongside Bridgestone, Continental and Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Apollo was selected for the award in recognition of the brand’s continued expansion in the European market, growth underpinned by the launch of key products such as its first high performance summer tyre for Europe, the Aspire 4G, and the inauguration of a new technical centre in Enschede, The Netherlands, a site that has taken on global responsibility for passenger car tyre research and development. Announcing Apollo’s selection as Tire Manufacturer of the year, Tire Technology International noted the company’s “impressive” financial growth; in 2011-12, Apollo’s revenue exceeded US$2.5 billion for the first time.
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Goodyear is supplying some of the most vaunted vehicles at this week’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The 2013 Ram 1500 and the Tesla Model S have been honoured in two very different categories, though Goodyear supplies the standard tyres on both models.
As tyre pressure monitoring systems become obligatory at the OE level throughout Europe, Tech Europe reports that it is offering what it says is “the most comprehensive range of TPMS products in Europe today, and a TPMS programme recently nominated for the ‘Product Innovation’ award at the annual NTDA TAFF Awards.”
Continental has commented on the selection of the ContiWinterContact TS850 as one of Auto Express magazine’s Editor’s Choice 2012 products. Peter Robb, brand manager at Continental said: “We are delighted to have been commended by Auto Express. The ContiWinterContact TS850 has taken the winter market by storm. In a string of tyre tests in Europe, the tyre has consistently beaten the best to take top spot. This award from Auto Express is another testament to its outstanding performance.”
Italy’s Marangoni has given its Marangoni Tread North America subsidiary the company’s ‘President’s Award’ for 2012; the North American operation gained this distinction due to its strong sales performance plus manufacturing and marketing development.
Kumho Tire U.S.A. reports that the Ecsta 4X has received a 2012 Good Design Award. The award, organised annually by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design in cooperation with the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies, recognises design and innovation, sustainability, creativity, branding, ecological responsibility and technology in a number of areas. Kumho Tire was awarded this honour in the category of transportation, alongside companies such as BMW, Boeing and Hyundai.
The 2nd Congress of Russian Ecologists, which took place in Moscow recently, hosted the presentation of the “Leader of Environmental Activity in Russia – 2012” awards. This was the 8th time the awards had been held and amongst the companies honoured this year was tyre maker Nizhnekamskshina. The company reports the award was given for its introduction and implementation of a systemised pollution control measures and the practical implementation of an effective programme improve the environment both at the Nizhnekamskshina plant and throughout the wider Nizhnekamsk industrial region.
Pirelli’s Carlisle factory has been given the title ‘Export Champion’ by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) – one of only five successful Cumbrian businesses. The North West region Export Champions programme was launched during Export Week by UKTI regional director, Clive Drinkwater. It forms part of a campaign led by Trade and Investment minister Lord Green to increase the number of British exporters by a quarter, which would boost the economy by £36bn. The idea is that Export Champions will inspire novice exporters to pursue overseas markets.
Maxxis reports that it “remains at the forefront of ATV tyre development” with its range of utility, ATV and specialist sports quad tyres, renowned for delivering superb all-round performance across a variety of applications. And, of course, all these are useful in farming and agricultural applications. With all this in mind, it probably won’t come as a surprise that Maxxis is an accredited OE supplier to all the top ATV manufacturers, including Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Polaris and Suzuki.
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