Now one of the largest tyre-producing countries in the world, China has an indisputable influence on the direction of global tyre trade. The home of both fast-growing up-and-coming brands as well as a burgeoning domestic market, this tag chronicles China’s involvement with the tyre business.
At the end of 2011 Double Star Tires based in Qingdao, Shandong province, China announced plans to produce a range of multi-coloured tyres. According to local news reports, Double Star has dared to differ from the overwhelming trend towards manufacturing black tyres having developed a patented process to make tyres of any colour. This range has been appropriately dubbed “Rainbow” and is set for imminent market release.
During the first couple of months of 2012 Belgian firm Deldo has, like others active in the European tyre wholesaling scene, observed that this year may be different – more complicated – than the past couple of years. However the Antwerp-based wholesaler is not unduly concerned; during a recent visit, Deldo’s international sales and marketing manager Rutger Veerman discussed the company’s growth plans for 2012 and beyond.
Transense Technologies plc has announced that its trading division, IntelliSAW has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with EL PE Engineers, headquartered in Vadodara, India. EL PE currently provides advanced systems technology and engineering support for the electric power industry.
As part of this agreement EL PE will provide exclusive distribution for IntelliSAW’s innovative wireless/passive temperature monitoring system in the Indian market. In return for exclusive terms EL PE has agreed to a minimum revenue target over the next two years of US$375,000.
Schaeffler Group has reported record 2011 sales of 10.7 billion euros and a 12 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to 1.7 billion euros. It is the first time in the company’s history that sales topped the 10 billion euro mark. Schaeffler Group directly owns a 49.9 per cent stake in Continental AG.
Commenting at the press conference where the news was announced, Schaeffler AG CEO Dr Juergen Geissinger said: “Following our success in 2010, we were able to further improve our earnings across the board in 2011. That demonstrates the dedicated commitment of our employees around the world. Our wide range of components and systems for the automotive and the industrial sectors puts us in a very good strategic position as a globally oriented company.”
This month US wholesaler Tire Group International celebrates 20 years in the business. On 3 March 1992 the Miami-based company opened its doors and began trading; TGI says its main objective since that day has been to offer its customers the entire spectrum of tyre sizes and patterns at reasonable price points, to build long-term relationships with customers and suppliers and to exceed their expectations every time they deal with TGI. For this reason, TGI says it has developed a very close relationship with all its partners around the world.
A year ago the newly appointed managing director of Euro-Tyre BV, Frank van Leeuwen, reported that the Netherlands-based wholesaler enjoyed growth in excess of 25 per cent in 2010. Yet the company, like many in the business, needed to remain on the ball in order to avoid the widespread tyre availability issues brought on by an improving economy. Now, 12 months later, Euro-Tyre says that while the problem of availability and supply lies in the past, the pattern of strong growth has continued.
The organisers of Tyrexpo Africa have been pleased by the response to this year’s show at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. Over 140 delegates from more than 70 countries exhibited at the show, while total attendees for the three-day show numbered 2,652. ECI International sales director, Rowena Suthers stated that the company was “very happy with the overall exhibitor response”. ECI has confirmed that Tyrexpo Africa 2014 will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 4, 5, 6 March 2014.
During its 50th anniversary year Starco is looking back over its half-century in the business and notes that one of the company’s oldest partners, Kenda, also celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The relationship between Starco and Kenda goes back 30 years to when the Danish company began selling Kenda tyres in its domestic market; Starco reflects that in those days before e-mail and regular air travel, this long-distance trading relationship was forged by telex and registered mail.
Senior managers from Westlake Tyres, which are manufactured by ZC Rubber in Hangzhou, China, are visiting Europe in a move intended to bring the company closer to its customers. Among others, the visiting committee will include import and export manager Johnson Su, European and Oceania regional manager Nick Zhou and representatives from the factory’s tyre engineers.
Techking recently attended the 57th OTR Conference, which was held from 15 – 18 February 2012 in Rancho Mirage, California, USA. Techking attended the event as the China OTR manufacturer representative and the member of TIA (Tire Industry Association). This is the fifth consecutive occasion Techking has attended this conference for off-the-road tyre industry.
Speaking at the launch of the Aspire 4G high performance tyre in Geneva, Apollo Tyres Ltd chairman and managing director Onkar Singh Kanwar reiterated the tyre maker’s commitment to European consumers. “While European companies are looking east, your company, Apollo, is focusing on Europe, and Europe will remain central to our focus,” he stated. “We will keep investing in production facilities, in technology, development and product launches to ensure that the best and most effective products are brought to you. Apollo will accelerate its growth momentum over the years to come.”
GTC North America, US importer of the Advance tyre brand produced by Guizhou Tyre in China, is recalling almost 12,300 Advance Extra Grip AR215 light truck radials produced between September 2008 and 2009. The company says this recall applies to size P235/75R15 tyres and pertains to blistering or bubbles appearing on the tyre’s sidewall. A recall notice lodged with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that these blisters or bubbles may, with extended use, lead to tread chunking on the tyre with belt edge exposure and possible loss of inflation.
Almost a year ago, PT Multistrada Arah Sarana Tbk announced plans to ensure a reliable supply of raw materials through the acquisition of up to around 30,000 hectares of rubber plantation land. In the end the tyre maker purchased 33,800 hectares in Kalimantan, Indonesia for around Rp3 trillion (£209 million) through its subsidiary PT Multistrada Agro Internasional. During a press conference held in Jakarta on 11 March, company president Pieter Tanuri shared details of this acquisition, stating that this year Multistrada aims to plant up to 1,000 hectares of rubber trees there, a project the firm has budgeted Rp398 billion (£27.7 million) for; 26 per cent of this will come from the proceeds of a recent rights issue. This is expected to be ready for harvest in the next five years.
Continental AG has acquired the 50 per cent share of its Indian brake joint venture (Rico Hydraulic Brakes India Ltd) belonging to Rico Auto Industries Limited. In buying out Rico Auto Conti has made Rico Hydraulic Brakes into a fully owned subsidiary of Continental.
Since 2009 the plant in Gurgaon near New Delhi has been producing and supplying components for hydraulic brake systems to OEM customers in India. These include products and services consisting of calipers for front and rear axles, drum brakes, master cylinders, brake boosters and load sensing proportioning valves for all kind of passenger cars.
Sino Legend (Zhangjiagang) Chemical Co., Ltd., purportedly the largest Asian manufacturer of resins for the tyre and rubber industries, has begun showcasing its state-of-the-art production facility as it looks to establish a greater presence in North American and European markets.
The company broke ground on its Zhangjiagang City plant in mid-2007, located approximately 80 miles from Shanghai. Built with future global expansion in mind, the facility has already doubled its production volume owing to increased demand.
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