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Amtel-Vredestein Warns of Counterfeit Tyres

Amtel-Vredestein has alerted consumers that counterfeit Amtel tyres have been found at retail stores in some markets. The tyremaker believes that the use of these tyres may be dangerous. “Fake tyres are made of cheap rubber mix and low quality synthetic rubber,” commented Anatoly Volnov, head of Research and Quality control department at Amtel-Vredestein. “Threads of such tyres are very weak and not elastic enough, they also wear out rapidly. These fakes may lead to car accidents.”

The company reports that this year cheap imitations of certain Amtel branded light truck tyres have been discovered, notably imitations of the Amtel 185/75 R16 – Cargo AS K-156 and Kobra K-156. The counterfeit tyres combined the names of both models and appeared in the market as the Kobra Cargo КА-156.

25th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Lanxess Increasing Tyre Production Chemical Prices

The Rubber Chemicals business unit of Lanxess AG is increasing prices for the antioxidants (Vulkanox), accelerators (Vulkacit) and specialties (Vulkazon, Coagulant, KS 95) as of July 1, 2008. Increases will be in the range of up to US$1,200 per tonne, depending on the product and region. The company reports that continued cost increases have, in spite of cost-cutting programmes previously introduced, made a price rise unavoidable.

23rd June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

US Military Acknowledges Michelin Quality & Delivery Performance

The United States military, through its Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) operation, awarded Michelin Aircraft Tire Co. a Best Value Medal Award at an honours dinner held on June 3. The bestowal of this award, says Michelin, is acknowledgement of the company as one of the US government’s best suppliers. Brett Carnes, director of North American military sales for Michelin Aircraft Tires, accepted the silver medal on behalf of Michelin from the commander of the supply centre, U.S Air Force Brigadier General Andrew E. Busch.

The U.S. military’s Best Value Medal, explains Michelin, is awarded to vendors that have demonstrated exceptional quality and delivery performance as measured by what is called the ‘Automated Best Value System’ (ABVS). The ABVS is a computerised system that collects a vendor’s past performance data and translates it into a numeric score ranging from zero to a perfect 100. Michelin scored 99.4 on this 100 point scale.

10th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Yangtze Petrochemical Now China’s Largest Butadiene Producer

The latest butadiene facility built by Yangtze Petrochemical entered trial operation on April 16, and the company reports the plant, with its 100,000 ton annual capacity, has propelled the company into China’s top butadiene production spot. Capacity at Yangtze Petrochemical has, to-date, reached 206,000 tons per annum.

The construction of this additional RMB 247 million (£18.1 million) was made necessary by growing Chinese market demand for tyres, and the company says that the market for butadiene, which is a major raw material of rubber, “looks promising and is expected to bring forth fat returns for investors.”

9th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Delticom Results Show Strong Growth in EU Markets

Leading European tyre retailer Delticom AG has reported a 9.4 per cent year on year revenue increase in the first three months of 2008. Details of the company’s Q1 2008 performance, release May 14, point to growth in spite of what is traditionally a week time of the year for tyre sales.

Revenue during the quarter was 42.6 million euros, compared with 38.9 million in the first quarter of 2007. EBIT improved from 250,000 euros in Q1 2007 to 510,000 euros this year. At the same time, consolidated net income rose to 480,000 euros, an increase of 29.7 per cent. Regarding the figures, Delticom comments that the first quarter is traditionally the weakest in sales, and this held true in the first quarter of 2008 – unseasonably cool March weather caused many drivers in Germany and other European countries to delay the purchase of summer tyres until April.

14th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Quarter Results Show Net Income Rise

Pirelli & C. Spa reports that its Pirelli Tyre operation “substantially held its position in an unfavourable quarter for the world car market” during the first quarter of the 2008 financial year. Results for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 also reflected the company’s decision to further focus upon core businesses, including the repurchase of the 38.9 per cent share in Pirelli Tyre held by shareholders in Speed SpA since August 2006.

Group revenues for the quarter amounted to 1.31 billion euros, up 2.1 per cent on the first quarter of 2007, at constant exchange rates and net of the effect of sales relating to deconsolidation of the real estate assets of DGAG. Taking into account the effect of DGAG, sales as of 31 March 2007 amounted to 1.81 billion euros. EBIT, at 114.6 million euros, was substantially in line with the figure in the first quarter of 2007 (117.5 million euros), net of the result linked to the temporary consolidation of DGAG that had characterised the previous year period. Taking into account the effect of DGAG, EBIT as of 31 March 2007 amounted to 129.5 million euros.

13th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Preparing for Stage 4 Expansion of Onomichi OTR Factory

The fourth stage in the planned expansion of Yokohama Rubber’s Onomichi OTR tyre plant has been announced. The factory, in Japan’s Hiroshima Prefecture, has undergone expansion work since the 2007 financial year, and this latest 6 billion yen (£29.9 million) work will see monthly production capacity grow by 600 tons to a total of 2,500 tons in the financial year ending March 31, 2011, four times that of the 2007 financial year. The company reports it will reach this level earlier than the previously stated date of the 2012 financial year as strong demand for OTR tyres continues – Yokohama states a belief that demand will increase for at least another ten years.

12th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

MTNA Celebrates Dual Ringtread Anniversary

Marangoni Tread North America celebrated the 32nd birthday of Ringtread retreading system and the 4th anniversary of its introduction into the US on April 27. The very first Ringtread was produced in Ferentino, Italy, on April 27, 1976, and exactly 28 years later the company’s facility in Madison, Tennessee produced the first American made Ringtread retread.

The company reports it marked the occasion with cake, as the Ringtread moulds are too hot for ice cream!

2nd May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Releases Q1 Sales Results

Michelin’s financial results for the first quarter, to March 31, 2008, show sales of 4.091 billion euros during the period, a decrease of 2.6 per cent year on year at current exchange rates. The company reports that sales results were limited by declines in its European and North American replacement tyre markets, where the Michelin Group has a large footprint. “Michelin’s trading environment was less supportive than initially anticipated,” said Michelin in a press statement. “Most of the mature countries’ tyre markets were down, except for Europe’s original truck tyre market which remained strong. This trend resulted from a weak trading environment that weighed on overall market morale.” This weak performance contrasted strongly with that in emerging markets.

29th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Sumo Firenza Increasing its European Profile

During the past 18 months or so Sumo Firenza has steadily increased its European profile through exhibiting at a number of international tyre exhibitions and introducing its flagship Sumo Firenza ST-08 pattern. The company reports that its sales performance in the UK, Ireland and Europe continues to grow; here in the UK Bond International has been appointed sole distributor, and in Ireland this role is handled by Daly Tyres.

The Sumo Firenza ST-08 pattern includes a low aspect ratio pattern and base compound intended to absorb and combat road noise and straight wide grooves for water drainage at speed. The tyres are, adds Sumo Firenza, manufactured with state-of-the-art Japanese technology, and the ST-08 range is available in 28 size options from 195/55R15 V through to 215/35ZR18 W. This range, reports the manufacturer, will increase in due course to include 19 inch and 20 inch fitments.

28th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Manbat Recruits Health and Safety Manager

Leading independent UK battery distributor Manbat has named Amanda Tomlinson as the company’s new Quality Assurance and Health and Safety Manager. The appointment was made after Manbat took the decision to formalise the management of its internal procedures, and the company reports bringing in an experienced figure like Tomlinson is key to meeting that objective.

Tomlinson was most recently employed by LSUK where she was an integral member of its procedures management team. Her experience in monitoring the performance of a multi-branch business network was key to her being recruited by Manbat. “Amanda brings a wealth of valuable experience to Manbat at just the right time,” explained Manbat Project Manager, Myles Pemberton. “As a company that has grown considerably during the last few years, we have been keen to formalise our systems and procedures to guarantee they are given the time that they deserve.”

24th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

GITI Tire’s UHP Range – 80 Sizes and Steadily Growing

A greater presence in this part of the world is planned for GITI Tire, as comments made by GITI Europe marketing manager Peter Foulkes regarding May’s Reifen exhibition testify: “GITI intend to use their presence at the show to officially launch and take forward to the next progressive stage, the company’s growing sales presence in Europe (including the UK and Ireland).” Mr. Foulkes adds that, at the show, GITI plans to show off a number of products not yet seen here, including a new asymmetric ultra high performance tyre – the Champiro HPY.

And while we must await the Essen show for further details on this new product, GITI is already well established as a manufacturer of performance tyres. The company reports it is continuing to expand its position within the UHP sector of the market, and now offers more than 80 sizes, with many further additions in the final stages of development.

23rd April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Growing Demand for “Green Products” in China – Lanxess

International News, Product News

German specialty chemicals group Lanxess AG reports it is banking on growing demand for more environmentally compatible products and systems solutions in China, its most important Asian sales market. At an international press conference held during the Chinaplas 2008 plastics fair in Shanghai (held between April 17 and 20), chairman of the Lanxess Board of Management, Axel C. Heitmann, stated ”Sales of our “green” premium products in China have risen significantly in the past twelve months. We expect this trend to continue and to have a positive impact on our business in China.”

An analysis conducted by Lanxess indicates that growth of this “green business” could provide double the rate of overall market growth in China. ”Therefore we will focus increasingly on green chemistry products in our portfolio,” added Heitmann. Among the measures to be implemented will be an increase in development of new, innovative products and systems solutions.

18th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Konstrukta Supplies 2 Duplex Apex Lines to Yaroslavl Plant

Konstrukta Industry AS has signed, what it describes as “a significant contract” to supply two duplex apex extruding lines to Sibur-Russian Tyres’ Yaroslavl’s tyre production plant. The machines extrude two rubber compounds into the triangular cover that overlaps the bead. In this case the machines will be used in the production of truck tyres. The contract is being billed as the most significant of its kind in Russia this year and was reportedly gained ahead of Continental Machinery. No specific value has been attached to the contract, however the deal appears to be the fulfilment of promises to upgrade Sibur-Russian’s truck tyre product capacity reported by Tyres & Accessories more than a year ago.

16th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Cabot Closes West Virginia Carbon Black Facility

Operations at Cabot Corporation’s carbon black facility in West Virginia, US, ended on the last day of March, the company reports. The upcoming closure of the Waverly plant was first announced in June 2007, at which time Cabot stated that changes in the tyre manufacturing industry were the predominant factor behind the decision. The company has engaged in significant restructuring measures in the past two years in response to diminishing tyre output and capacity in North America and expansions to facilities in China, the Asia Pacific region and South America.

8th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors