Russia’s largest tyre maker, Nizhnekamskshina, has announced that it will increase capital expenditure by 14.9 per cent to 880 million ($17.6 million) in 2006. The company will invest in plant upgrades and in new capacity, including the production of radial tyres for SUVs and light trucks.
In the last few years Goodyear has launched a range of new products in the earthmover market such as the RT3B for wheel loaders; the TL3A+ for wheel loaders and articulated dump trucks; and the RT-5C – the 250 level traction wheel loader tyre that has also proven highly successful in grader applications in size 25.5R25. Other products include the RT4A for rigid dump trucks.
Continental AG representatives say they are aiming to finalise plans for a 300 million euro investment in a tyre plant in China by the second quarter of this year. Speaking at a news conference marking the official opening of the company’s Asia-Pacific headquarters in Shanghai, the executives said that Continental expects to double Asian sales within five years for its automotive systems division.
Logistics specialist Christian Salvesen has agreed warehousing and distribution deals with two of the UK’s leading tyre companies.
Firstly, Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK has announced that it is to extend its logistics partnership with the company. This will mean that Christian Salvesen will take over the operation of the National Distribution Centre (NDC) at TyreFort in Erdington, Birmingham, in addition to its current responsibilities for the transportation and distribution of tyres, which began in 2002.
Ecosystem Ltd has become the UK distributor for Evashred tyre shredders made by FV Evans & Sons NZ. These machines may be new to the UK, but they have been successfully sold into New Zealand & Australia for many years. According to the new UK distributor, the machines can be built with electric or hydraulic motors and can be supplied static, or mobile in a truck for on site shredding.
(Akron/Tire Review) Just days after announcing significant cutbacks at its Charlotte, NC, tyre plant, Continental Tire North America (CTNA) said it planned a $60 million to $70 million capital improvement effort at its Mt Vernon, Illinois, passenger and truck tyre facility.
Firestone’s flagship high-speed tractor tyre – the R9000 Evolution (launched in March 2002) now has two more sizes in the range. Initially launched in the popular 540/65 R30 size, it was joined by 440/65 R 24, 440/65 R 28, 540/65 R 34 and 600/65 R 34 early in 2005. There is now a 540/65R34 and a high speed version of the biggest size, 650/65R38. These have been launched to accommodate the new 248 hp Fastrac8250. Rarely for a Fastrac, that means there are smaller tyres on the front, like a conventional tractor. The new JCB is capable of lifting 10,000 kilograms on the rear linkage. The larger tyre sizes are said to allow for an increased load rating whilst minimising soil compaction thanks to the larger footprint.
Aftermarket parts supplier Motaquip has warned that the flood of ‘bargain batteries’ into the EU from Asian manufacturers pose a direct threat to a vehicle’s starting capability and could invalidate manufacturer vehicle warranties.
(Akron/Tire Review) Continental Tire North America (CTNA) announced today that it will significantly cut production and lay off employees at its hometown Charlotte, North Carolina., passenger tyre plant. The cuts will come in two phases, said CTNA, with the first taking place on 15 March, resulting in 241 salaried and hourly jobs lost, and the second on 30 June when another 272 jobs will be cut. In total, 513 workers will be laid off, said CTNA.
Czech tyre maker Barum Continental produced 18.52 million passenger car tyres last year, a growth of 7 per cent year-on-year, company representative Pavel Pravec told the Prague Daily Monitor. Production of “high-tech” tyres is said to have grown the most, increasing 81 per cent to 2.42 million units in 2005. Barum also added 300 staff in 2005. The company, which now employs 4,448 people, also reportedly plans a further hike in staff numbers for this year.
Apollo Tyres Limited is to expand the passenger car radial (PCR) capacity of its Limda plant, the Business Standard has reported. The company will reportedly invest 3 billion rupees (£38.33 million) in the expansion of its PCR capacity at its Limda unit.
Bulgarian company Ecoprocess (Dobrich) has completed the construction of a tyre recycling factory. The plant uses a technique called vacuum pyrolysis to incinerate tyres and break them down into carbon, pyrolysis oil and gas.
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone Corp plans to spend some $100 million to build a synthetic rubber factory in China, which the company said is necessary to meet growing demand worldwide.
(Akron/Tire Review) The $85 million expansion program Michelin North America (MNA) announced for its Lexington, South Carolina, OTR plant will see the addition of at least eight new curing presses. And the company said that it could increase capacity further on available land at the plant site.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) has confirmed reports that it plans to invest $85 million over the next five years at its OTR tyre production facility in Lexington, South Carolina, increasing production by nearly 50 per cent.
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