The unpredictable winter of 2012 may not have brought consistently high levels of snowfall, but according to Wheelwright it did see a flurry of another sort; a deluge of demand for winter wheel and tyre packages as consumers – and even UK-based automotive manufacturers – quickly wised up to their safety benefits. This year could be the most significant yet in market terms claims the Kent-based wheel distributor.
Korean tyre manufacturer Nexen is to make the its IAA debut when it exhibits at the automobile trade fair from 10 to 22 September in Frankfurt, Germany. Nexen reports that it will present 26 products including six brand new products with the theme “Enjoy NEXEN, Dynamic Driving Partner” at Hall 4.0 Stand C23.
Contract tyre manufacturer Enjoy Tyre Co Ltd appointed Rob Henderson as general manager for UK and Europe. Based in Hangzhou, China, Enjoy Tyre has been established for 23 years supplying its Rotalla car tyre brand across a number of global markets. The company reports that it is currently investing in the development of a new Routeway car tyre range for 2014 to add to its existing truck and bus radial range. According to the company, Enjoy Tyre intends to establish an increased trading profile across Europe and view Rob as the “perfect springboard” to achieve this objective.
When the rumour mill began grinding in the last quarter of 2012, Apollo did little to counter speculation that it was preparing to buy US tyre-maker Cooper Tire. With the gift of hindsight it seems the gossip was exactly right. Back then, as Tyres & Accessories as well as other observers suggested there was a strong rationale for such a move, but with no-one breaking ranks it was difficult to be more definite.
Now, following confirmation of the move, the purchase is being presented as a strategic merger. But it is also a complex manoeuvre. Apollo, founded in 1972, has an increasing reputation for fast development and particularly with regards to its Apollo and Vredestein brands, which have been able to attain OE contracts with leading carmakers and tuners. Cooper, the 11th-largest tyre company in the world by revenue, was founded in 1914 and supplies numerous brands around the world such as Cooper, Mastercraft, Starfire, Chengshan, Roadmaster and Avon, which is particularly popular in the UK.
Brazilian retread materials manufacturer, Vipal used Autopromotec as the platform to announce that it is re-purposing one of its Brazilian production plants. At the same time the firm launched a couple of new treads. The 25th edition of the show coincides with the fact that Vipal itself turns 40 this year, making it something of a multi-celebration for the company.
Perhaps the most important news for European and other export markets is the Brazilian company’s decision to repurpose one of its three manufacturing sites to focus exclusively on products destined for international exports. “This is an important decision that Vipal is taking regarding the foreign market. Thus, we will be able to provide all the required structure to serve with excellence over 90 countries around the world," said Plinio de Luca, Vipal's sales and marketing director say before the show.
The latest milestone in Dutch wholesaler S&H Tyres’ recent development sese the company target the UK market and appointment a sales representatives especially for British customers. Ronald Lems recently joined the company with a view to taking responsibility for the UK market.
Maxxis International has reported another strong year of growth for the 12 months to January 2013. Results from the last financial year show Maxxis tyre sales figures surpassing US$4.5 billion for the first time, up over $2 billion in the last five years alone. The company reports that despite an adverse global economy and substantial investment in research and development, increased manufacturing capacity, its new academy and latest testing facilities, Maxxis has still succeeded in posting net earnings of well over $1 billion.
Brazilian retread materials manufacturer, Vipal has announced plans to launch a couple of new tread products at this year’s Autopromotec. The 25th edition of the show coincides with the fact that Vipal itself turns 40 this year, making it something of a double celebration for the company.
Revenues at online tyre retailer Delticom fell 4.9 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2013 to 81.3 million euros, the company reports. Delticom suggests this drop in sales is linked to many motorists’ decision to delay purchasing summer tyres due to the persistent snowfall experienced in many parts of Germany and elsewhere right through to the end of March.
Groundbreaking on the new distribution centre to be erected by the US marketer of the Double Coin brand, China Manufacturers Alliance (CMA), will take place one week from today, the company reports. A ceremony to mark the occasion will be held at the site in Rancho Cucamonga, California on 25 April. The company also says it intends to build further warehouse facilities, both within the US and internationally.
Goodyear has reported that its fourth quarter 2012 sales amounted to $5 billion, down 11 per cent from 2011. According to the company, the drop reflects $338 million in lower tyre unit volumes, $221 million in lower sales in other tyre related businesses and $85 million in foreign exchange effects. It is worth pointing out that although tyre unit volumes totalled 40 million, this is generally down 7 per cent compared with 2011. And what’s more Goodyear reported that this primarily reflects lower volumes in Europe.
During 2012 Continental sold some 20.1 million passenger car, 4×4 and van winter tyres in the European replacement tyre market, the company reports. This figure is approximately 300,000 units above what it sold in 2011 and was achieved despite a ten per cent drop in overall market demand. Altogether the company sold around 21.4 million winter tyres globally last year.
Voith Industrial Services has strengthened its position in the UK automotive industry by acquiring ThyssenKrupp Services Ltd. According to the company, the acquisition will create a combined business with a workforce of over 2,000 employees at 35 locations. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
The traditionally upbeat tone of Delticom’s financial reporting was slightly muted upon release of the company’s 2012 preliminary full-year figures on 23 January. The German-based online tyre retailer described 2012 as a “challenging year” and the market environment as “difficult.” Full-year revenues amounted to 456.4 million euros, a 4.9 per cent decrease on 2011.
Dutch tyre manufacturing equipment maker VMI Group has announced plans to launch a new “Flexx” belt builder in February. According to the company, this technology offers the ability to produce OE quality belts for products up to UHP tyres in “a flexible and cost effective way.” VMI reports that one way it does this is by utilizing an extrusion process rather than calendaring.
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