Brazil
Continental Tire the Americas (CTA) has commented on the global recognition it gained during the recent ContiTire Awards ceremony in Hannover, Germany. At the awards CTA project teams walked away with three of the five awards, an occurrence the American operation comments is “indicative of the organisation’s dedication and commitment to excellence, and its key role in Continental Tire’s success in the global marketplace.”
On February 12 Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) announced the upcoming retirement of Mark A. Emkes, the company’s chairman, CEO and president, effective February 28, 2010. On that date Emkes, who has been employed at the Bridgestone family of families for more than 33 years, will also retire from his position as a member of the Boards of Directors of BSAM and parent company Bridgestone Corporation.
Watts Tyre Group, the UK-based industrial tyre and wheel producer has announced the creation of Watts America Latina, a new business unit to service the Latin American market (excluding Brazil and Mexico where the group has existing business operations). Watts America Latina is headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay and is headed by director General Carlos Correia. The business services container customers across the region as well as sales from a warehouse operation from which pallet orders can be satisfied enhancing product availability.
Netherlands based manufacturer Interstate Tire & Rubber has announced its participation in Brazil’s Recaufair tyre show between April 13 and 16, 2010. The company plans to launch its brand new Interstate Eco Tour Plus tyre into the South American market during the Sao Paulo show. Interstate reports that its market share in South America is “growing rapidly”, and according to company vice-president Theo de Vries, the region represents a “fast growing market with excellent opportunities for Interstate.”
During the global recession and financial crisis of 2009, tyre manufacturer Pirelli negotiated the challenges thrown at it better than expected and in doing so proved it is what many companies only claim to be: a storm-proof edifice. A crucial factor in this was its very solid manufacturing network. In Europe the output from factories in Italy and other West European sites are supplemented by deliveries from Romania and Turkey. North and Latin America are largely supplied with products from Brazil, and in China Pirelli erected a truck tyre plant and subsequently established site a passenger car tyre facility at the same site.
February 1 marks the fifth anniversary of specialty chemicals group Lanxess debuting on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and the company reports that some 14,600 employees around the globe will mark the occasion. The first price quoted for Lanxess shares on January 31, 2005 stood at 15.75 euros. Five years later, on February 1, 2010, the opening price was 27.42 euros.
Michelin is planning to invest 700 million (£610 million; $989 million) in China by 2012 in order to build a passenger car and truck tyre manufacturing plant. Construction of the factory, which will be built in Shenyang where Michelin already has another plant, will double the company’s annual capacity in China. In addition Michelin also plans to invest 300 million euros (261 million; $423 million) in a greenfield passenger car tyre plant in Resende, Brazil, which will start producing in “early 2012.”
While some major tyre industry names produce calendars that illicit furtive glances and even the occasional ‘phwoar’ from enthusiastic admirers, the Kwik-Fit annual calendar may take your breath away for another reason entirely. Kwik-Fit’s Tyre Wall of Shame 2010 features twelve images intended to shock – photos of tyres in outrageous condition, including some with almost no tread left, sidewall ruptures through under inflation, and even one worn right down to the steel core. And while Pirelli’s calendar efforts involved weeks of shooting in Brazil, all the ‘models’ featured in Kwik-Fit’s 2010 edition were removed from customers' cars on a single day in December 2009. Scarier still, this was an average day – Kwik-Fit says it replaces tyres in similar conditions every day of the year.
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South Korea’s Hyosung Corp. has announced it will close its tyre cord plant in Scottsville, Virginia, in January 2010. The former Uniroyal tyre cord plant, which Hyosung took over in 2002, employs 106 people, according to Tire Review’s report.
The US tyre magazine explains that the facility was built in 1944 by the Defense Plant Corp. to help with the war effort, and Uniroyal bought the plant in 1945. Hyosung bought the plant from Michelin North America, and struck an exclusive supply deal with Uniroyal’s successor.
Feddi, the cheerful corporate mascot of Taiwanese tyre manufacturer Federal, has been preparing for the new year by readying himself for a variety of excursions to top tourist destinations depicted in the new 2010 Federal Calendar. The full-colour calendar highlights the World’s most visited attractions on a monthly basis. Feddi clearly wishes to fit in, since his outfits for circumnavigating the globe include several national costumes, showing – in his inimitable style – Federal’s desire to continue to strengthen its brand name worldwide.
As part of its long-term strategy of investing in markets offering favourable growth potential, Trelleborg has announced plans to further strengthen its presence in Brazil. On November 16 the company inaugurated a new facility near São Paulo, where the manufacture of high-performance seals for such items as aircraft and passenger cars, as well as for industrial applications, will take place. The plant is part of the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions business area and will initially employ about 100 staff.
Worldwide, Pirelli anticipates its specialised tyre segment to expand a total of 7.5 per cent over the next three years, and growth in Latin America and particularly Brazil is expected to be far stronger. The Italian manufacturer estimates sales of for construction, digging and mining vehicle tyres in these two markets to increase by 25 per cent and 37 per cent respectively, and to accommodate this development the Pirelli Group has announced plans to invest US$100 million in its Latin America specialised tyre operations. Strengthened by this injection of funds, Pirelli intends to recommence the global export of these products from the region as of 2011.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has appointed Brad Hughes as vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). Hughes succeeds Phil Weaver who retires at the end of the year. Weaver has served Cooper 19 for years and has been CFO since 1999.
JK Tyre and Industries is aiming to substantially increase exports from Tornel, the Mexican company it acquired last year. According to the Press Trust of India the company aims to do this within a year through further expand within the Central and South American markets.
The ninth International Tyre Industry Expo in South America, PneuShow is set to take place in São Paulo, Brazil between 13 and 16 April, 2010 at the Expo Center Norte. The event will also include its second international tyre industry convention. Calling itself “the most important show for the tyre industry in South America”, PneuShow Recaufair’s exhibitors will include representatives from the tyre and wheel trades, including special application and industrial products; repair and retreading materials, machinery and moulds; and servicing and recycling equipment and tools. In 2008, the event had 100 exhibitors in a space of 4,500 sqm, with 10,800 visitors.
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