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.
Tyre manufacturing machinery and systems supplier, Mesnac recently won the “Golden Rubber Award” at China International Rubber Industry Expo, which is also known as CIRI Expo. Mesnac was also recognized as one of the “2014 Top Ten Leading Brands” in China.
After a close fight in the race to Cape Town, tyre maker Aeolus has congratulated the Dongfeng team for crossing in second place at 15:22:48 UTC on 5 November, just 12 minutes and 4 seconds behind Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.
Dongfeng skipper, Charles Caudrelier: “As a team we might not have much experience in the Volvo Ocean Race but my men know how to fight and they fight for every 1 per cent. I have a great team around me and for leg 1 we are really happy. We were not the favourites, we knew this, but I also knew we could do great things. I chose men that could fight.”
Although only a few Chinese tyre makers can be considered sizeable suppliers in the European market, a glance at the top names in the Chinese tyre market shows that exactly the same applies in reverse. The massive share held by the names at the top of the list also points to the trend towards consolidation within the market.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems has agreed an OE supply deal with Shanghai Hyster Forklift Ltd. The deal was signed at the CeMAT Asia show in Shanghai, China on 29 October.
Nicolas Nolle, director of global OEM business for Trelleborg Wheel Systems Industrial Tires, and Richard Lim, managing director of Shanghai Hyster Forklift Ltd, signed the agreement between the two companies in Shanghai.
At this year’s Michelin Challenge Bibendum, currently taking place in Chengdu, China, the tyre maker has introduced its so-called ‘Green Paper’, a document on sustainable mobility that contains key proposals to meet the challenges tomorrow may bring. The Green Paper includes a number of recommendations based on lessons learned during the 11 previous Michelin Challenge Bibendum events and the collaborative work of institutions and event partners.
The solar photovoltaic power station project at Continental’s tyre plant in Hefei, China was officially inaugurated yesterday at a ceremony attended by local government representatives and by Stephan Weil, prime minister of Continental’s home region of Lower Saxony, Germany. Representing the tyre maker at the event was Dr Ralf Cramer, member of Continental’s Executive Board and CEO of Continental China, and Michael Egner, general manager of the Continental site in Hefei. The solar project is being jointly implemented by Continental and HeFei SuMeiDa Sungrow Power Co., Ltd.
With Cooper, Mitas and most recently Michelin all upping production capacity in Serbia, you can understand the Serbs have invested in communicating the benefits of locating tyre production in the area during the course of 2014. But that’s not all. They have also invested in travelling all the way to Grungrao, Shandong provice, China in order to court the attentions of up-and-coming Chinese tyre manufacturers too.
Shares of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. fell 1.9 per cent on 7 November following news that the company’s earnings in the third quarter of 2014 increased to 77 cents from breakeven earnings in the prior-year quarter. The latter figure is significant because it exceeded certain analysts’ estimates. For example the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 72 cents was some five cents below the actual results.
Although Cooper Tire & Rubber will retain offtake rights for tyres produced by the Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Company Ltd (CCT) plant in China after its ownership is fully transferred to Chengshan Group Company Ltd., the tyre maker is nevertheless looking for an alternate supply of tyres in China. Several options are under consideration; company chairman, chief executive officer and president Roy Armes outlined these at Cooper’s third quarter earnings call on 7 November.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. is once again supply its Advan racing tyres to the Macau Grand Prix to be held in Macau, China from 13 to 16 November. The 61st Macau Grand Prix marks Yokohama’s 32nd year as exclusive tyre supplier for the Formula 3 race. The Macau Grand Prix event also includes the […]
The distributor of counterfeit Yokohama racing wheels has been sentenced to time in prison after being found in the possession of more than 1,000 aluminium wheels. The Intermediate People’s Court of Guangzhou, in China’s Guangdong Province, also fined the distributor on 19 August.
Reifen China’s 2014 edition will take place on 3-5 December at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre on December 3 – 5, 2014. On the occasion of the eighth edition of the international meeting place for the sector, Messe Essen and the China United Rubber Corporation (CURC) are expecting around 120 exhibitors from numerous nations. Many of the biggest names in the Chinese tyre industry will be present, and the organisers have particularly emphasised the manufacturing backbone of the show; with around 45 percent of the exhibitors originating from the producing industries, “Reifen China will be a manufacturers’ fair”. The organisers are expecting a total of around 15,000 visitors to both trade fairs.
Automechanika Shanghai’s organisers (Messe Frankfurt) report that the auto parts show is concentrating its efforts on providing an “outstanding” and “insightful” event this year. Scheduled to take place from 9 – 12 December at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in China, the fair is described as the world’s second largest Automechanika. It focuses on automotive parts, accessories, equipment and services, by providing a comprehensive showcase on the future of automotive after-service development in the region.
How does a tyre manufacturer grow from nothing to having large-scale international sales and a few percentage points of market share in a country like the UK in just five years? The answer is by starting with a blank piece of paper and by virtue of some strategic acquisitions.
One company that Tyres & Accessories met for the first time at Brityrex was Tri-Ace tyres, a Chinese contract manufacturer focusing on the Tri-Ace, Black Bear and Mark Ma brands. The company’s products extend across the passenger car, ultra-high performance, trailer and light truck segments.
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