Nexen has announced plans to introduce its new environmentally-friendly N’Blue ECO and HD tyre ranges into the European markets during the third quarter of 2011. According to the company, the name is comprised of `N`, for `Nexen` as well as the descriptive `Blue`, a colour symbolising refreshing coolness. `ECO` of course stands for `ecology` and `HD` for `handling`.
Shortages make become an issue within India’s tyre industry following the release of a quality control order by the country’s Department of Commerce. Reporting on the threat, the Business Standard newspaper explains that the order prevents the sale of tyres and tubes in India unless they feature a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark or a certification mark licence is otherwise obtained. The business daily also states industry sources claim the country’s tyre manufacturing industry “has come to a standstill” as it possesses a substantial inventory that cannot be sold without the BIS mark.
Nexen Tire has become the first South Korean tyre manufacturer to be issued with an AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certificate by the Korea Customs Service. AEO certification, the tyre maker explained, allows for faster and more secure customs checks. This document complements the FTA certificate, which documents the place of origin of exported products, received last November. “Through the two certificates Nexen anticipates increasing its export competiveness as the simplified customs procedure will save both time and money,” commented Nexen Tire Europe.”
South West division of builders' merchant Travis Perkins and ATS Euromaster were joint winners of a nationwide treasure hunt organised by retread tyre manufacturer, Vacu-Lug Tyres. The two companies secured their win by discovering the 'treasure' – the serial number tag from Vacu-Lug's 100,000th Duramold WZY2 premium retread. As winners, Travis Perkins and ATS Euromaster share a treasure trove of £500-worth of tyres. Simultaneously, the find has triggered a £500 donation from Vacu-Lug to the Help for Heroes campaign.
Vacu-Lug Tyres has been awarded ISO14001:2004 status for its Environmental Management System, underlining the green benefits of dealing with the retread tyre manufacturer.
The award follows a rigorous external audit, during which the inspectors were said to have been especially impressed with the actions the company has taken to reduce energy its use by 20 per cent and recycle 100 per cent of its non-tyre-related waste.
Chinese tyre manufacturers Techking has announced that its Effiplus passenger car tyres recently received Nom accreditation (the national Mexican Safety Certificate).
VMI Yantai has received its second ISO certification within the last 12 months following its certification according to ISO 14001 by Lloyds Register Company. The Chinese subsidiary of Dutch tyre and rubber machinery manufacturer VMI Holland BV notes that both certifications were achieved “in close cooperation” between VMI Yantai, VMI Holland and parent company TKH Group NV. “TKH takes its Corporate Social Responsibility very seriously,” reports a VMI Holland press statement. “VMI Yantai is also well aware of its social duty and has made corporate social responsibility one of its strategic priorities for the coming years.”
In December 2010 Bridgestone Europe have achieved the distinction of being the first tyre maker to gain EN 16001 certification for one of its facilities. The EN 16001 standard, currently held by fewer than 100 companies in Europe, was obtain by the Bridgestone Technical Center Europe (TCE) and certifies that the centre has successfully implemented an energy management system and developed and implemented an energy policy. To achieve this, Bridgestone says the TCE identified all areas of significant energy consumption, targeting energy savings, while also introducing projects to produce energy from renewable sources. These activities are now fully integrated within the centre’s daily working procedures.
Commercial vehicle operators in the US now have a new tyre service option available to them following the launch of a Michelin franchise network, the Michelin Commercial Service Network. Upon announcing its rollout, Michelin Americas Truck Tires (MATT) says the franchise network of commercial tyre dealers will be one “committed to establishing a new standard for consistent, high-quality service across the US.” Services offered by the Michelin Commercial Service Network include road service, online operating manuals and online fleet reporting. MATT adds that fleets will receive “consistent service from Network dealers with highly trained technicians, professional equipment, and casing management, all ensured by rigorous certification and audit standards.”
The 390 – an all-steel radial flotation tyre released by Alliance Tire Group in the US – has become the first flotation radial to receive Department of Transport certification for highway use at 50mph. According to Michel Aguon, Alliance Tire Americas’ product manager, the 390 is also the industry’s first all-steel flotation radial plus the first that can carry nearly 11,000 pounds (5,000kg) of load at 50mph.
Kumho Tires reports that its KLT02e trailer tyre, which will soon be available through dealers in North America, has achieved SmartWay certification by the US Environmental Protection Agency. In order to receive the SmartWay designation, the KLT02e needed to demonstrate a reduction in Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions for an estimated fuel savings of three per cent or greater, relative to the “best selling” new tyres for line haul trucks, when used on all five axles on long haul class 8 trucks.
Last summer Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions ‘went native’, ripping out 15 acres of lawn at the company’s facility in Muscatine, Iowa and replacing it with native landscapes. The company’s actions caught the attention of the Wildlife Habitat Council, who has recognised the work undertaken with its “Wildlife at Work” certification. Bridgestone Bandag’s Muscatine facilities now have a total of 25 acres of native landscapes.
Bridgestone Europe’s group of 18 national sales companies has been accredited to the revised standard ISO 9001:2008 by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance. Announcing the accreditation, Bridgestone Europe’s senior vice president of Sales & Marketing, Takashi Tomioka, commented: “ISO 9001 is an important standard which we have held since 1992. Ensuring that our sales companies operate to these stringent requirements provides a systematic and visible way to lead and operate our sales organisations. This allows us to focus on meeting our customers’ expectations through consistent products and services”.
Techking reports that the company passed a DNV (DET NORSKE VERITAS) audit for ISO9001 certificate in July 2010, after a 6 month examination and auditing procedure. "The pass of the ISO program at Techking is a credit to the dedicated employees who strive to meet customer needs through providing innovative solutions. All the efforts like this can make us outstanding from the competition," said Rongsheng Sheng, president of Techking.
Eurotire’s Romania manufacturing facility and its employees recently achieved ISO9001-2008 certification. The challenge of achieving ISO certification was heightened by the fact that the Romania facility is new and this was the first attempt at ISO certification there. Simtex-OC, the first private Romanian certification company to receive international accreditation to audit for the ISO9001-2008 Quality Management System, performed the audit.
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