Company News Archives - Page 17 of 40 - Tyrepress

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Energy management system certification for Bridgestone TCE

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.

14th February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Rollier proposes Senard as successor at Michelin

Preparations for Michel Rollier’s eventual departure from Michelin are to commence after the Group managing general partner expressed his intention not to complete his term of office. According to Michelin bylaws this would occur when Rollier turns 72, however in agreement with the company’s Supervisory Board the 67-year old intends to recommend shareholders elect Jean-Dominique Senard –one of the company’s two non-general managing partners elected in May 2007 – to replace him as managing general partner. Shareholders are expected to vote on this at the Extraordinary Meeting scheduled for May 13, 2011. At this meeting shareholders will also be invited to approve resolutions to adjust the Group’s corporate governance procedures, Michelin notes.

11th February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Kramer praises loss-making Goodyear for ‘improvement across all businesses’

Although Goodyear Tire & Rubber recorded a net loss for the third consecutive year, company chairman and CEO Richard J. Kramer states he’s “very pleased” with the tyre maker’s fourth quarter and full year 2010 performance. “Our operating results reflect significant recovery, with improvement across all of our businesses versus last year despite escalating raw material costs,” Kramer commented.

10th February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook UK focuses on brand, ups TV advertising budget 50%

Company News, UK News

After nine years of at the helm of Hankook Tyres UK Ltd, years that have seen the company grow from the position of a newcomer into a force to be reckoned, Richard Page has announced his retirement from the role of managing director. Tyres & Accessories understands that he will continue in a consultative role throughout what has been a pre-planned and progressive changeover into the capable hands of new MD Gang Seung Lee. In a recent visit to the Hankook UK headquarters T&A met with Mr Lee, who is commonly known as Tony Lee in the UK, and a freshly reshuffled management team to find about more about what’s in store for South Korean tyre manufacturer in 2011.

10th February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear to close Union City plant by year’s end

WIthin its full year 2010 results report, released February 10, Goodyear Tire & Rubber discloses plans to close its tyre making facility in Union City, Tennessee by the end of this year. A stated reason for proceeding with closure plans is the desire to “reduce high-cost manufacturing capacity globally” as per Goodyear strategy. The Union City plant currently employs approximately 1,900 people.

10th February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Nokian Tyres presented with “opportunity to increase sales” in 2011 – Gran

A jaunty nautical appraisal of this year’s outlook greeted shareholders upon the release of Nokian Tyres’ 2010 financial statements. The man at the helm, president and CEO Kim Gran, stated that “a clear improvement in the drivers for demand in core business brought Nokian Tyres back to a strong growth track. The sails are now bulging with strong tailwind as we go into 2011 with thick order books and growing capacity.”

9th February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Renewed Bridgestone contract “of great importance” to DHL’s tyre segment growth plans

Bridgestone Europe has renewed its Swedish market supply contract with DHL Supply Chain. The Jönköping based firm has handled Bridgestone Europe’s warehouse operations for the Swedish market since 1997 and the extended contract, valid until 2013, includes warehousing and a number of value-added services such as the studding of winter tyres.

3rd February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama sales growth ‘more than compensates’ rising material costs

Sales for Yokohama Rubber’s tyre operations increase 13.7 per cent in the first nine months of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011, the company reports. During the nine months to December 31, 2010 Yokohama recorded tyre business sales of 310.2 billion yen (₤2.36 billion) and operating income of 23.2 billion yen (₤176.42 million), up 37.4 per cent year on year. The company reports this sales growth came through gains both in its domestic Japanese and international markets and it more than offset the adverse effect on profitability caused by rising raw material prices as a strengthening yen. Domestic market sales were helped by an economic rebound and heavy snows, which prompted strong winter tyre sales, while overseas growth was most notable in the US and China.

2nd February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Gajah Tunggal joins Indonesia’s LQ45 stock index

The Indonesia Stock Exchange reports that tyre maker PT Gajah Tunggal Tbk has been added to its LQ45 list as of February 2011. The list recognises 45 companies that have fulfilled a number of criteria, including highest market capitalisation within the last 12 months and highest transaction value in a regular market during the same timeframe. The company’s market growth has also been witnessed in its 2010 financials; for the first time, Indonesia’s largest tyre manufacturer exceeded US$1 billion in net sales.

2nd February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Philippines capacity to increase 143% by 2017

Capacity at Yokohama’s production site in the Philippines is to increase from seven million to ten million passenger car tyres per annum as a result of expansion work being carried out there in the next three years. This first phase expansion at the Yokohama Tire Philippines site involves the construction of a new tyre plant to complement the existing 165,000 square metre facility. Construction work will get underway after a tenancy agreement is signed in February and initial production is expected to commence in 2013, with full operational capacity reached the following year. A total of 20 billion yen (₤153.2 million) is being invested in the first-phase expansion; a further 30 billion yen is earmarked for the second-phase expansion work, which will further increase Yokohama Tire Philippines’ annual capacity to 17 million tyres by 2017.

1st February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Wealth Sea aiming for 20% Dunlop India share

Singapore based holding company Wealth Sea Pte Ltd has made an offer to acquire a 20 per cent stake in Dunlop India. The aim of this offer, which closes on February 7, is to acquire 1,43,96,575 shares in the company. Although Dunlop India is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange it is controlled to a large extent by the Ruia Group; through the Ruia floated Wealth Sea the group intends to increase its ownership share.

31st January 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Birla Carbon acquires Columbian Chemicals

On January 31, India’s Aditya Birla Group disclosed it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire US-based Columbian Chemicals Company from One Equity Partners, the merchant banking arm of J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. Aditya Birla has purchased One Equity Partners’ equity in Columbian Chemicals through its associates Alexandria Carbon Black Company and Thai Carbon Black Company Limited, along with SKI Investment, an Aditya Birla Group company.

31st January 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti introduces ‘age-friendly’ factory programme

Germany, like many western nations, has an aging population. This creates challenges for employers wishing to retain their skilled workforce in operating environments that require physical strength and endurance. Continental AG is one such employer, and to tackle this situation it studied the workplaces of 25,000 of its employees within Germany with a view to adapting the jobs carried out to the varying needs of its staff. After completing this study Conti introduced what it calls the “workplace traffic light”, a system of identifying workplaces that are suitable for workers of any age (green), those in need of improvement (amber) and workplaces that are not age-diverse (red). One of these three colour designations has been given to each workplace following a profiling that includes the physical strain involved, concentration requirements, lighting conditions, noise, vibrations, draughts and temperatures. Continental reports that a total of 25 to 30 per cent of the industrial jobs at its sites within Germany are undergoing a redesign to enhance their suitability for older workers.

31st January 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

RHA And FTA Welcome Chancellor's Comments On Fuel Duty

The Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association has welcomed comments made today by chancellor George Osborne that the Government is addressing the fuel duty issue. When questioned on BBC WM today Mr Osborne commented that plans made by the previous chancellor, Alistair Darling to increase fuel duty on 1 April by one penny per litre, in addition to inflation, could be addressed. "We can override it, we are looking at that", said Mr Osborne.

28th January 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

SMMT calls for fuel duty freeze

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has called on the UK government to freeze fuel duty to relieve immediate financial pressure on businesses, fleet operators, hauliers and motorists. According to the Society the duty rise planned for April this year threatens industry, businesses and consumer confidence at a crucial and fragile point in the UK's economic recovery.

27th January 2011/by Tyrepress Editors