Trial production starts at BKT’s Bhuj plant
BKT reports it has produced its first test batches of solid tyres at the company’s new Bhuj factory in India’s Gujarat state, and commercial production of tubes manufactured there has already commenced.
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Sgfleet switches to Michelin tyre policy
NewsFleet management company sgfleet, which manages over 70,000 cars and vans worldwide and more than 2,000 in the UK, has switched to a Michelin tyre policy for its British fleet. Previously sgfleet fitted an alternative brand of premium tyre, however the company’s UK CEO David Fernandes made the change to Michelin after better results were obtained in tests.
Cambrian Tyres working with Cam on wholesale systems
NewsCambrian Tyres is investing “substantially” in the development of a wholesale customer relations management (CRM) and virtualised server package with Cam Systems. According to a statement from Cam, Cambrian Tyres is continuing its partnership with the software solutions provider, providing it with more effective customer connectivity and future proofing its business for the next 10 years.
Marangoni Germany confirms plans to double Ringtread production
RetreadingFollowing the rebrand/establishment of Marangoni Retreading Systems Deutschland in September 2011, the German part of the Italian retreading company confirmed plans to virtually double output at the end of January 2012. The specific purpose of the investment is to double ringtread production capacity in Hamburg.
How much? Freight rates double
Company News, International News, NewsThe world’s largest shipping company, Maersk, has just announced that its container line made a loss of US$537 million last year and is unlikely to turn a profit in 2012. The vast majority of its competitors have posted similar losses and it seems like they have now decreed that enough is enough and across the board rate increases have been announced. And we’re not talking single percentage point increases. Rather rates are said to be almost doubling their previous levels.
Snap-on Diagnostics releases new 2 post lift
NewsSnap-on Diagnostics a leader in diagnostic tools, software and information for the automotive industry, has announced the expansion of its Sun-branded vehicle lift range with the introduction of its new two post lift, the SVL 50.
Hankook Australia opens new warehouse, sponsors night football
NewsHankook Tyre Australia says the relocation of its New South Wales warehouse will improve distribution to dealers in that state. YCH Logistics, located at Sydney's Eastern Creek, will be the new central depot for Hankook tyres in the state; the facility replaces the warehouse currently located at TOLL Logistics in Yennora. The Yennora warehouse will continue to operate until the end of March.
Bridgestone addressing mining, construction sector demand with Thai OTR plant
NewsGlobal demand OTR radials for use in construction and mining applications is growing, and to meet the needs of a hungry market, Bridgestone intends to build a new production facility in Thailand. On 5 March the Japanese tyre maker announced plans to invest around 50 billion yen (£385.6 million) setting up the tyre plant in Rayong, and production there is expected to begin in the first half of 2015. Production capacity at the new plant is expected to reach approximately 85 tons per day by the 1st half of 2019, when scheduled capacity increases are completed. In addition, Bridgestone will also erect a steel cord manufacturing facility through its cord manufacturing subsidiary.
Nizhnekamskshina to lead Russian tyre market by 2014 – TechSci
International News, NewsTechSci Research, which recently published an analysis of the Russian tyre market covering the next five years, has predicted that Nizhnekamskshina will lead the domestic market by 2014. It says that cheaper manufacturing cost, increasing demand for premium tyres, an increasing number of automobiles on Russian roads and the sale of Sibur will allow the manufacturer to lead by financial year 2014.
Bridgestone inaugurates Taiwan Bandag plant
RetreadingBridgestone Taiwan has announced the establishment of its first Bandag retreading facility in the country. The new truck and bus radial retreading plant in the city of Taichung was officially opened on 15 February. According to an article published by the China Economic News Service the facility has been set up with an investment of NT$110 million (£2.3 million).
Work begins on new Casumina plant
NewsGroundbreaking has taken place at the site of the future Casumina radial plant in Vietnam’s Binh Doung Province; on the morning of 16 February the company, Southern Rubber Industry Joint Stock Company chairman and CEO Nguyen Ngoc Tuan presided over a ceremony marking the start of construction work at the 12 hectare site. Stage one work is expected to be completed next year and will give the plant an initial capacity of 350,000 tyres per annum. Completion of stage two is planned for late 2015 and will increase capacity to 600,000 tyres, while stage three, scheduled for completion in 2017, will give the plant a 1,000,000 piece annual capacity. Total investment in the plant amounts to VND 3,380 billion (£101 million).
Linglong, Nexen join ITMA
NewsThe Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA) has announced that Shandong Linglong and Nexen Tire have become its newest members, increasing the total number to 15, and effectively more than 30 tyre brands. Five of these have joined within the last 12 months, showing the Association’s growing popularity. ITMA represents the interests of non-EU based tyre manufacturers having been established more than 30 years ago when imported tyre brands started to gain a significant share of UK and mainland European replacement market.
Pro-Align launches Liftlign range
NewsPro-Align has introduced a new range of scissor and four-post alignment lifts. The new Liftlign range has been designed to fit a variety of space configurations, allowing compact workshops the chance to offer a high-quality four wheel alignment service.
SMMT figures suggest car manufacturing will lead UK growth
NewsJohn Leech, partner in KPMG’s automotive practice has suggested the recent upturn in UK car manufacturing could suggest that the sector will lead the country’s economy back to pre-financial crisis growth. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed car production rising in January 2012, with 15.6 per cent more manufactured cars on January 2011. The figure comes on the back of increased demand for British-made cars in growth export markets.
Market share goal in sight: BKT aiming for 32% rise in production
Company NewsIndian off-road tyre specialist BKT appears on track to reach its market share goal ahead of schedule. In a statement released on 17 February, company vice-chairman and managing director Arvind Poddar announced that due to current growth the tyre maker’s aim of becoming a global leader in off-highway tyre solutions with a ten per cent market share should be reached in 2014 rather than 2015.
