The Al Dobowi Group has appointed Nigel Hampson to the position of head of business development. Previously Hampson had worked for Cooper Avon Tyres and Cooper Tire Europe since 1996 in several managerial roles in the company. He was most recently sales and marketing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa, before joining the Al Dobowi Group.
Bridgestone Corporation reports that recent research conducted by its Bridgestone Americas operations may indicate that the Russian Dandelion can become a commercially viable, renewable source of high-quality, tyre-grade rubber.
Kumho’s new Ecsta LE Sport KU39 is an asymmetric ultra high performance tyre designed for Europe’s top car marques; the manufacturer reports the tyre was developed using the latest KADAS prediction tools and on Europe’s most demanding test tracks. The Y speed rated product’s key selling points are its enhanced performance, braking in wet conditions and controlled ride and refinement. Kumho says its high grip tread compound ensures maximum traction and braking performance, while its specially designed casing provides impressive high speed stability.
Cooper Tire & Rubber has announced a quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents per share on its common stock, payable 29 June 2012, to stockholders of record at the close of business on 1 June 2012. This is the 161st consecutive quarterly dividend paid by the tyre maker.
Heuver Tyrewholesale plans to present a complete cross section of products from the various market segments in is active in.
Deutsche Bank analysts have raised their target price for Cooper Tire & Rubber shares to US$19.00. In an investors’ note published 3 May, the analysts stated that Cooper Tire “reported stronger than expected Q1 earnings of $0.34 versus our $0.27 estimate. Margins were significantly higher than we expected (operating margin was 4.8 per cent versus our 3.9 per cent estimate). All of the upside versus our estimates was derived from lower than expected raw material inflation. Nonetheless, the results were impressive considering that they were achieved despite $0.32 of strike related costs. This reinforces our view that tyre companies are becoming more profitable at any volume. We maintain our Hold based on uncertainty surrounding structural industry changes.”
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe Ltd has appointed Peter McNally as general manager of its European Technical Centre at the company’s European headquarters in Melksham, UK. The appointment follows the move of former ETC head Gavin Edwards to Cooper’s Asia Technical Center. McNally takes up his new role with immediate effect.
Jean-Louis Schlesser won the 2012 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge for a record-breaking sixth time on Cooper’s Discoverer STT tyre. Cooper says the tyre excels in these extreme conditions, with an aggressive tread pattern and tapered stone ejectors, which help prevent stones and debris lodging in the tread, keeping them clear and maintaining traction. Schlesser’s victory meant he took the overall points lead in the 2012 FIA World Cup Cross-Country Rallies Championship.
After leading his union through a brutal three-month lockout at Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s Findlay, Ohio, tyre plant, USW Local 207 president Rod Nelson has been re-elected to his post, Tire Review reports. Nelson received 311 votes from Local 207 membership, according to the Findlay Courier, or nearly 47 per cent of all votes cast. Two opponents for the three-year term received 186 and 167 votes, respectively.
Pirelli will travel to Brands Hatch over Easter weekend, to provide tyres to the MCE British Superbike Championship. Last year’s series provided some of the closest racing in the world, and the tyre supplier believes there is more to come in the 2012 Superbike, Supersport and Ducati 848 Challenge classes. The new Rapid Solicitors National Junior Cup for riders aged 13-18 riding Kawasaki Ninja 250R machines also joins the portfolio of championships run on Pirelli tyres.
Today Cooper Tire & Rubber held a grand opening ceremony at its recently-acquired former Trayal tyre manufacturing facility in Kruševac, Serbia. Approximately 500 dignitaries, employees and members of the media were invited to attend the ceremony, including Serbian President Boris Tadić, Minister of Economy and Regional Development Nebojša Ćirić, and US Ambassador Mary Warlick. The guests, together with Cooper chairman, president and CEO Roy Armes, and International Tire Division president Hal Miller, celebrated the plant’s official opening.
This month US wholesaler Tire Group International celebrates 20 years in the business. On 3 March 1992 the Miami-based company opened its doors and began trading; TGI says its main objective since that day has been to offer its customers the entire spectrum of tyre sizes and patterns at reasonable price points, to build long-term relationships with customers and suppliers and to exceed their expectations every time they deal with TGI. For this reason, TGI says it has developed a very close relationship with all its partners around the world.
Following on the heels of news that Avon Tyres will supply tyres to the European and Dutch GT4 series, the British-based Cooper Tire brand has been confirmed as official tyre supplier to the Italian GT and Italian Sportscar Championships for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
Television viewers in the US, should they so wish, can enjoy weather-related information and entertainment around the clock courtesy of The Weather Channel. This themed content is naturally interspersed with spells of advertising, and Cooper Tire & Rubber will soon become a familiar name to those chomping on their breakfast toast and cereal after entering into a partnership with the broadcaster.
Only a week after Cooper Tire & Rubber stated it will partner with Yulex Corporation on the development and evaluation of guayule as a source of natural rubber, Bridgestone Corporation has announced plans of its own to develop the plant into a commercially viable alternative to the hevea tree. The research project will be conducted in the United States as a joint collaboration between Bridgestone Corporation and Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations; the Japanese parent company will provide funding and strategic input, while the American subsidiary will be responsible for finding the suitable location and operating the pilot farm and process research facility. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations will also leverage the resources of the Bridgestone Americas Center for Research and Technology and its Akron Technical Center to provide technical and research expertise.
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