On 1 February Yokohama Tire Corporation released a run-flat version of its Avid ENVigor all-season range in its North American markets. Known as the Avid ENVigor ZPS (Zero Pressure System), the run-flat variant is available in five sizes for popular fitments such as the BMW 3 and 5 Series, Lexus GS and SC, and Mini Cooper.
Avon Tyres has launched the latest in its range of van tyres, the AV11, available now in sizes 215/60R16 C, 205/65R16 C, 215/65R16 C and 235/65R16 C. Standing alongside the AV9, Avon says the new tyre will have an expanded fitment range later in 2012.
Brityrex International 2012 in Manchester later this year will feature exhibits from Aeolus, Antyre, Profil, Treadsetters and Uniroyal in addition to those that have already committed to bring a presence to the show.
According to the show organisers ECI International, the latest names to confirm their attendance include: Uniroyal Truck Tyres, the Chinese manufactured brands Aeolus and Antyre, UK-based international wholesaler Treadsetters and Profil Tyres, the Polish car tyre retreader. They join other names such as Infinity Tyres, Westlake, Matador, Kleber agricultural and Cooper 4×4.
The new four-year contract for unionised employees at Cooper Tire & Rubber’s Texarkana plant in Arkansas, USA has been ratified by both the tyre maker and the United Steelworkers union. The agreement, which affects approximately 1,500 union members, received a 1,006 to 141 vote endorsement. The new deal includes wage and benefit changes, which will be implemented over the course of the four-year accord, plus plans for additional plant investment – a measure Cooper says was “applauded” by both salaried and hourly employees.
Tire Review reports that Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has begun moving tyre production equipment out of its Findlay, Ohio, tyre plant. The US magazine reports that late last week the tyre maker was moving the equipment, even as the 1,050 union workers there continued picketing outside of the plant, where they have been locked out since 28 November.
Cooper Tire & Rubber’s fears of concurrent production stoppages at its two major US plants have been allayed with the reaching of a tentative agreement for workers at its Texarkana facility. The tyre maker says it reached the four-year labour agreement with the United Steelworkers union shortly before the current contract expired on 20 January. Details of the agreement are being withheld pending presentation to union members during the course of this week.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s contract with United Steelworkers at its plant in Arkansas expires at midnight tonight, with no indication of what may occur after the contract is up, reports Tire Review. Cooper locked out 1,050 workers at its Findlay, Ohio plant after contract talks stalled there, but has yet to comment about the Texarkana negotiations.
On 17 January Cooper Tire & Rubber completed its acquisition of the former Trayal manufacturing plant assets in Kruševac, Serbia. A formal signing ceremony was held to mark the official start of Cooper Tire Serbia; this was attended by Serbian President Boris Tadić, Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković, US Ambassador Mary Warlick, along with Roy Armes, Chairman, President and CEO of Cooper Tire. During the ceremony Armes stated that Cooper elected to invest in Serbia not only because of its significant economic potential, but also for its quality workforce, geographical advantages and Serbian government support.
Direct negotiations between Cooper Tire and the United Steelworkers union regarding Cooper’s Findlay plant broke down late last year, yet the union has found other means of communicating its position. Tire Review reports that last weekend the USW held a “day of action” that involved protest at numerous tyre retailers that sell Cooper products. The union distributed information about “Cooper Tire's unfair and illegal lockout” of workers at the plant.
Cooper Tire Europe says it has expanded its involvement in endurance rallying, with its 4×4 products victorious in two high-profile events this month. In the Dakar, Spaniard Xavier Foj won the T2 production class in his Discoverer S/T MAXX-shod Toyota Land Cruiser 150. Meanwhile, ex-Formula 1 driver and endurance rally veteran, Jean-Louis Schlesser, won his fourth consecutive Africa Eco Race, using Cooper’s Discoverer STT tyre for the first time.
It’s just over a month since Cooper Tire & Rubber announced its purchase of Serbian manufacturer Trayal’s passenger car tyre business. Since the acquisition agreement was signed on 8 December the Serbian firm has no doubt become more closely acquainted with its new owner; at the same time the union representing its employees has been getting to know the current thorn in Cooper’s side, the United Steelworkers union.
Despite numerous reports that both sides were headed to a meeting with a federal mediator next week, it appears now that there will be no further negotiations between Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. and locked out USW workers at the tyre-maker’s Findlay, Ohio, plant, Tire Review reports. After both sides clearly stated that they would return to the bargaining table after the holidays and that a session with the mediator had been scheduled for 12 January, that supposed meeting was suddenly called off yesterday, with Cooper claiming that no such meeting was even scheduled.
Tire Review reports that the Christmas and New Year's holidays brought no relief to the dispute between Cooper Tire & Rubber and its union-represented workers at its Findlay plant. Some 1,050 union workers remained locked out through the holidays, and Tire Review indicates the two sides will take their stalemate to a federal mediator this week.
Cooper has launched its new 4×4 tyre for extreme conditions, the Discoverer S/T MAXX. The tyre’s compound and tread succeed the popular Discoverer STT. Cooper stated that the tyre will have its first serious test during the 2012 Dakar Rally, in which it will be fitted to Xavier Foj’s Toyota Land Cruiser 150; the third consecutive time the legendary Spanish driver will run on Cooper rubber. The tyre will be launched fully into Europe in February. It is M+S rated and available in sizes ranging from 16 to 18 inch.
Cooper Tire’s keeping mum about the progress of negotiations linked to its Findlay factory, but the union representing workers offers comment on the ongoing saga almost daily. The United Steelworkers reported today that solidarity events in support of the locked out Findlay workers are being planned across the US, and it also shared that workers at Cooper’s recently-acquired ex-Trayal plant in Serbia have already pledged their support and demanded the company end the lockout.
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