Continental Archives - Page 173 of 229 - Tyrepress

Hannover-based Continental AG is a leading automotive supplier and – according to the company – is “the choice of leading car manufacturers, offering award-winning tyres that deliver responsive braking in all weather conditions.”

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Pirelli Committed to Emerging Markets

At a July 19 ceremony marking the manufacture of their millionth high performance tyre in Romania, Pirelli presented news of its current activities and development plans for the company’s tyre and other vehicle related products. Present for the occasion were, amongst others, Marco Tronchetti Provera, chairman of Pirelli & C. SpA, Francesco Gori, managing director of Pirelli Tyre, plus a number of local authorities.

Marco Tronchetti Provera disclosed to reporters that Pirelli intended to go “where the growth is” when investing in new tyremaking facilities. “We are looking with interest at India,” he said. “We are looking at Russia as an interesting market.” It is believed that Pirelli would prefer to establish itself in these markets from scratch without acquiring established domestic operations.

20th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Reportedly Hikes Siemens Bid

(Akron/Tire Review) News reports say that Continental AG has raised its offer for Siemens AG’s vehicle electronics unit. The bid for Siemens VDO was boosted from 10 billion euros to 11 billion euros, the reports say. It is believed, though, that Conti’s bid is still below that of TRW and Blackstone, which placed a joint bid of 12 billion euros.

19th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Boosts Presence in Emerging Markets through Acquisition

Continental’s Automotive Systems Division is bolstering its brakes systems capabilities in both Europe and in emerging markets, particularly Asia, through the acquisition of drum brake manufacturer Automotive Products Italia S.r.l. from the Australian Pacifica Group Limited. Based in Cairo Montenotte, in the Italian province of Savona, Automotive Products Italia employs approximately 500 people and since its establishment in 1984 has grown into a business with annual sales (2006) of 79 million euros.

This acquisition is not the beginning of relations between Automotive Products Italia and Continental Automotive Systems – the two parties have been involved in a technical and marketing cooperative agreement for the past decade. Automotive Products Italia has grown to become Europe’s second largest producer of drum brakes; approximately 5.8 million drum and park brakes were manufactured at the company’s 17,000 square metre facility in Savona last year, and counted amongst the firm’s OEM customers were major manufacturers such as Fiat, Ford, Renault/Nissan, Toyota, Land Rover, Mazda and General Motors. Upon regulatory approval the company will be integrated into the Hydraulic Brake Systems business unit of Continental Automotive Systems.

19th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Steer Clear of Ebay Used Tyres, Says Entyrety

eBay shoppers looking for a bargain are being warned to steer clear of second-hand tyres being sold on the site, after independent testing revealed that half of the used tyres listed on eBay are too dangerous for use and if fitted to a car could put lives at risk.

The warning follows research by Continental Tyres who commissioned technical specialists, Entyrety, to check the safety of the thousands of used tyres that are up for sale on eBay for as little as £5. Twenty used car tyres were purchased and tested to see how they performed in terms of legislation and safety.

One in five were over the recommended age limit for tyres, meaning that they could fail or ‘blow out’ on the road, a further 20 per cent contravened the ‘Sales of Goods Act’ by not having a legally-required ‘E’ marking and none of the tyres fully conformed with regulations which say that they should be marked as part worn.

Even more shocking was that two of the tyres were well below the minimum tread depth and were even bald in places. One tyre was found to have an illegal and dangerous repair and another had been stuck back together with superglue.

19th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Truck Tyres Get EPA Nod

(Akron/Tire Review) Three Continental brand medium truck tyres have been recognised by the Environmental Protection Agency for meeting its SmartWay environmental specifications. The Conti HSL (steer), HDL Eco Plus (drive), and HTL (all position/trailer) were noted for meeting specific performance requirements including environmental design and fuel consumption performance.

“As one of only four tyre manufacturers being recognised by the EPA for meeting the requirements for the SmartWay Tractor-Trailer equipment specifications, Continental Tire North America is especially proud of this achievement,” said Clif Armstrong, CTNA’s director of commercial marketing. “This honour validates our work in developing quality products that continue to meet the needs of today’s fuel conscious fleets.”

18th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Appoints New International Press Officer

Continental has made a new addition to their Passenger & Light Truck Tire division’s press team. Starting July 1 was new international press officer Ansgar Wilkendorf (48). Wilkendorf’s main duties are coordinating activities between headquarters and the international market organisations for passenger and light truck tyres and providing assistance in the day-to-day business.

“I am very much looking forward to this new challenge with a leading German tyre manufacturer,” said Wilkendorf. In the past fourteen years he worked as a motoring journalist, since 2002 as editor-in-chief of a major European magazine reporting on the automotive world. Trained as a motor mechanic, Wilkendorf’s life has revolved around motor vehicles, and he is thus well acquainted with the needs of the groups he will be working with. As international press officer, Wilkendorf reports to the head of Public Relations – Passenger and Light Truck Tire, Alexander Lührs.

18th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Metro Tyres to Offer Share to Conti

India’s Metro Tyres is reportedly willing to offer technical collaboration partner Continental a minority stake in its business. According to an article published in the Indian financial daily Hindu Business Line, Metro Tyres group managing director Rummy Chhabra said that a share of the company could be offered to Continental when Metro’s planned IPO – from which the company hopes to raise about Rs 1 billion (£12 million) – takes place in 18 months’ time, or possibly even beforehand.

Metro plans to increase their presence in Europe and Continental’s assistance has been invaluable to this end. Mr Chhabra said Continental was willing to help Metro enter its home European market as both companies’ products complement each other. “While we address the budget segment, Continental plays in the premium end of the market. Hence our products do not overlap each other.” The Indian tyremaker has already opened an office and warehouse in Barcelona, from where it will market its Ortem brand tyres and tubes to European markets. Mr. Chhabra said the company expects European sales to contribute up to £10 million to its total revenue during the first year.

13th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Selected for Land Rover Experience Tour

The Land Rover Experience Tour is considered one of the most challenging tests faced by all-terrain vehicles, and this year, for the first time, the Experience Tour will be run exclusively using 4×4 tyres manufactured by Continental. Conti and Land Rover worked together and ran a number of tests during the tyre selection period, and Land Rover has settled on two types of all-terrain tyres that it believes will provide the best possible traction on asphalt, scree, rubble, sand and mud.

For its Defender, Land Rover selected the ContiCrossContact AT in 235/85 R 16 size, and the Land Rover Discovery was fitted with General Tire Grabber AT2 in 255/60 R 18 size. The Tour took place from 27 June to 7 July in the Argentinean Andes. Three Land Rover Discoveries were used for pre-event reconnaissance, during which the lead instructors mapped out possible routes and diversions. According to Conti, the lead instructors were “surprised at the wide ranging performance” provided by the Continental tyres. “We just can’t believe your tyres enabled us to reach some of those places,” they reported.

Continental has supplied Land Rover with almost 40 per cent of its OE tyres for a number of years, making it the marque’s largest supplier.

12th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Metro Tyres Looks Towards EU for Expansion

Motorcycle and bicycle tyre manufacturer Metro Tyres has discussed plans to expand into European markets. The Punjab, India based manufacturer entered into a technical collaboration deal with Continental in January and is now in the process of preparing for the unveiling of its European distribution cell. Conti will also source bicycle tyres from the company.

“European markets hold much bigger potential for the company as far as cycle and bike tyres are concerned,” said Metro Tyres managing director Rummy Chabbra. He further commented that Metro Tyres currently holds 24 per cent of the bicycle and 3 per cent of the motorcycle tyre market in India. The company aims to capture a 10 per cent share in the motorcycle sector with the next two years.

11th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Still Interested in Chinese Production

While no official word has been given, Continental reportedly retains very strong intentions of setting up its first tyre manufacturing facility in China. Klaus Kreipe, head of the tyremaker’s China operations, told the Reuters news agency on July 10 that “we are more than just seriously considering to start local production.”

This is not the first time such reports have come from the German tyremaker – in March 2006 Tyres & Accessories printed news that Conti CFO Alan Hippe was still weighing up its options regarding production in China and in August we reported that the company was looking at two potential locations for a greenfield factory project. Mr. Kreipe’s latest comments did not include a timetable of when any production projects would be established.

11th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

National Tyres ‘For Sale’

National Tyres, the UK’s second largest independent fast-fit chain, is on the market with an estimated £75-£100 million price tag, according to The Telegraph. The firm, which recently reported a 19 per cent year-on-year increase in first-half sales, is said to be in talks with “a number of parties” about a possible takeover having hired PricewaterhouseCoopers to advise on a strategic review.

While the news that the successful retail business might be the target of a takeover is not a complete surprise, some of the parties supposedly linked to the deal weren’t as expected. Telegraph reporter Ben Harrington named Nationwide Autos, Micheldever Tyres and Kwik-Fit as key suitors. Nationwide Autos, which provides drivers with mechanical repair, servicing and MOT tests, and its private equity owners, Phoenix Equity Partners, have already made an approach to buy the company, according to Harrington.

11th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Invests in China Engineering Centre

Continental’s Automotive Systems Division has announced plans to build a dedicated engineering centre in China. On July 10 the company announced in Shanghai that 48 million euros have been earmarked for the project, which will be comprised of two facilities, an office site with design and test labs in the Yangpu District of Shanghai and a site containing large-scale equipment for bench testing. This second site will be an extension of the existing Continental Automotive Systems Shanghai facility in Jiading. The Yangpu site will also serve as the new Asia headquarters of Continental’s Automotive Systems, ContiTech and Passenger & Light Truck Tire divisions. Both facilities will be fully operational at the beginning of 2009 and provide employment for about 450 people, with the potential for this number to increase to 600 by 2011.

10th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

CTNA Headquarters on the Move

Continental Tire North America is negotiating to move its headquarters to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania as a part of a US$10 million deal. The 320 employees working at head office will relocate to a brand new leased 65,000 square foot facility in a business park south of the town of Ballantyne. The company intends to retain some mixing and warehousing operations in part of its existing 1.7 million square foot production facility and headquarters in North Carolina, but all headquarters employees will transfer to the new premises

9th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

NLRB Denies Union’s Appeal Against CTNA

(Akron/Tire Review) The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has denied an administrative appeal filed by the United Steelworkers (USW) union contesting the NLRB’s earlier decision to dismiss the union’s suit against Continental Tire North America (CTNA).

The USW alleged unfair labour practices in the 2005-2006 labour negotiations between CTNA and the union at the tyremaker’s Charlotte, North Carolina manufacturing plant.

The NLRB’s general counsel concluded that CTNA’s decision to curtail tyre manufacturing at its Charlotte plant was lawful and that the company complied with its legal obligations to negotiate with the union about the decision.

“This determination resolves the legal dispute between CTNA and the union pertaining to the company’s efforts to restructure the Charlotte plant,” said CTNA. “The determination is final, and there are no other opportunities for appeal.”

6th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

National Tyres Outlines Expansion Plans

National Tyres and Autocare has plans to open 14 new branches in Scotland by the end of 2008. Chairman and chief executive Alan Revie, who led a management buy-out of the company from Continental in 2001, reportedly sees these new additions to National Tyres as a first step in an expansion that will see the company operating more than 400 sites throughout the UK. At present National Tyres operates 204 outlets nationwide. “We are looking to expand the network and, as the first stage of a UK wide strategy, have identified 14 towns and cities across the central belt and Highlands where we plan to open branches by the end of 2008,” said Revie. “The funding is in place to do it, we have already opened a new branch in Falkirk and another will open shortly in Edinburgh.”

The company has reported healthy sales during 2007, with six-monthly results to June 30 showing sales of £51 million, up 19 per cent from the same time last year. Parent company the Axle Group has reported pre-tax profits of £5.7 million for the 2006 calendar year, a 17 per cent increase on the 2005 results. According to Revie “2006 and the first half of 2007 have been driven by excellent performance across the group. We are confident that we can sustain the growth trajectory of the business and I expect to see further improvement in both turnover and profits through our core business of selling tyres and as the results of our investment in MOT centres and the brakes programme begin to feed through to the bottom line.”

3rd July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors