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.
The China Rubber Industry Association reports that its ‘green tyre specifications’ document is currently open for input from the industry before its official launch during the first quarter of this year. The document was opened for comments on 27 December and will remain so until 20 January. According to the CRIA, the document defines what a green tyre is and sets out parameters to be used in a Chinese tyre label.
Michelin says it is working on a ‘communicating’ tyre for the Spark-Renault SRT_01E car that will be used by all teams during the first year of the new FIA Formula E Championship. The announcement was made during a demonstration run by the electric single-seat race car at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, USA.
On 6 January, six U.S. International Trade Commission commissioners unanimously voted not to revoke the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on certain off-the-road tyres produced in China. The ITC says the decision was taken to retain the orders as their repeal “would be likely to lead to a continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.”
The curtain has come down on a saga that made tyre industry headlines last year. On 30 December, Cooper Tire & Rubber announced its termination of the merger/acquisition agreement between it and India’s Apollo Tyres. The US tyre maker gave word of its action a day before the agreement was due to expire.
“It is time to move our business forward,” wrote Cooper chairman, chief executive officer and president Roy Armes in a statement. “While the strategic rationale for a business combination with Apollo is compelling, it is clear that the merger agreement both companies signed on June 12 will not be consummated by Apollo and we have been notified that financing for the transaction is no longer available. The right thing for Cooper now is to focus on continuing to build our business.”
Hankook Tire chief operating officer Europe and member of the board of directors, Jin-Wook Choi will leave his current position following 38 years with the company. Choi will take on a new consultancy role in the manufacturer’s global headquarters, having served more than thirteen years at top management positions around the world.
Dmack is to augment its continued role as authorised tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship with a two car team in the WRC2 series. The British brand, manufactured in China by Shandong Yongtai, has announced the signing of Estonia’s Ott Tänak, who will join Finn Jari Ketomaa in a pair of Ford Fiesta R5 rally cars as the newly-formed Drive Dmack world rally team starts its campaign. Dmack has also announced a new range of rally tyres, as well as an extension of 60 sizes to its PCR range, coming in 2014.
Aeolus Tyre reports that the China Securities Regulatory Commission has contacted the company over potential disclosure violations. In a Chinese-language statement, the tyre maker confirms that the Henan branch of the CSRC has looked into a number of issues. Aeolus writes that it will cooperate with the CSRC and undertake corrective actions within 30 days of receiving a report outlining remedial action.
When Triangle senior-vice president Lin Xiaobin told Tyres & Accessories that “TYM is doing a really great job in the UK”, you can tell that it was more than just encouraging words. TYM International’s sales (of which the Triangle brand tyre sales represent a large part) have totalled some US$40 million over the last three years. But to give some impression of the growth arc, 2013 sales are said to have generated $13 million alone.
Several months ago a new rail freight service commenced between China and the German port city of Hamburg, and Heuver Tyrewholesale reports it intends to use this service as an additional channel for its tyre transport from China.
In November Triangle announced that it is building its fifth plant in Weihai, Shandong Province, China. The news, which was first revealed at the SEMA show in Las Vegas in early November, followed renewed speculation about whether or not the company was planning to build a Russian factory earlier this year. This plans suggestions were denied by managers. However Triangle is internationalising fast and has been operating sales operations in dozens of countries for decades now, Weihai is really the company’s home.
Giti Tire shares that in recent months it has received awards from two major OEM customers. At a ceremony held in China in late September, Chinese PCR and TBR plant Giti Tire (Fujian) Co Ltd was presented with a Fiat Chrysler 2012 APAC Perfect Quality Award, and the company’s first and largest Chinese operation, Giti Radial Tire (Anhui) Co Ltd, received a GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award.
Terex Corporation has agreed to sell its truck business to Volvo Construction Equipment for approximately $160 million. The truck business manufactures and sells off-highway rigid and articulated haul trucks. The deal includes the firm’s Motherwell, Scotland manufacturing facility. The sale, which is subject to government regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, is targeted to close in the first half of 2014.
Many forward-thinking garages now offer nitrogen tyre inflation as an additional service to customers, but it’s safe to say that the inflation performed by Nie Yongbing would draw bigger crowds. The 63-year old from China’s SichuanProvince is able to inflate car tyre inner tubes using his nostril. During a demonstration held on 6 December, Nie inflated four inner tubes using this unique method in just 20 minutes.
Omni United reports that its flagship brand, Radar Tires, has been certified as carbon neutral. To achieve carbon neutral status the company worked with UK-headquartered professional services firm Ernst & Young to conduct a twelve-month assessment on Radar Tires’ total greenhouse gas emissions; these were monitored between April 2011 and March 2012. Certification involved an independent assessment of greenhouse gas emissions, coupled with an offset-inclusive emissions reduction programme.
Tamotsu Sakuramoto will swap his European responsibilities for Japan-based roles as of 1 January 2014, reports Toyo Tire & Rubber. Sakuramoto will be replaced as general manager of Toyo Tire & Rubber’s Europe business unit by Takashi Shimizu, who is currently general manager of Toyo’s Tire Planning division and Tire Administration department; Shimizu will continue in these roles alongside his new position.
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