In response to what it describes as “more than a decade of substantial annual losses in Colombia”, a situation it says “repeated investments have failed to stem”, Michelin has decided to discontinue the manufacturing operations of its local subsidiary Icollantas. The tyre maker singles out the unit’s insufficient size and other local economic factors as the reasons behind Icollantas’ lack of competitiveness.
Hangzhou Zhongce flagship brand Westlake Tyres has held its first UK Partners Day with authorised UK distributor for TBR tyres, Vacu-Lug. The event was held at the Land Rover Experience Centre at Rockingham Castle, Leicestershire where the brand and its distributor combined the presentation of Westlake’s TBR tyre line-up with some “serious off-roading.”
Maxam Tire International has launched a new all steel radial OTR tyre. The Maxam MS405, an E4 tyre, is aimed specifically at the ADT (Articulated Dump Truck) market and the new MS405 design incorporates an extra deep E4 tread depth, which, combined with the tyre's wide flat profile and reinforced side walls, offers excellent stability, flotation and traction.
Goodyear’s Sava Tyres brand has launched a new range of 17.5” truck tyres for regional and local delivery vehicles. The range comprises three tyres: the Avant 4 is for steer axles, the Orjak 4 for drive axles and the Cargo 4 for trailers. The Slovenian brand says the new tyres are designed to meet the needs of the cost-conscious vehicle operator engaged predominately in regional haul and delivery operations. The tyres are suited for a wide range of vehicles including articulated trucks, rigids and a wide range of trailers.
During Autopromotec week Tech Europe honoured the contribution of a number of loyal distributors who had reached milestones in terms of service and distribution. Plaques were presented by Gary Armstrong (senior vice-president global sales and marketing at Tech International), Martin Blakey (vice-president sales and marketing, Europe) and Walter van Loon (vice-president sales and training, Benelux) to the following distributors:
At a ceremony held yesterday in Włocławek, Poland in the presence of the Belgian Ambassador to Poland, the mayor of Włocławek and other local dignitaries, Solvay officially broke ground for the construction of a new facility that will produce Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS). The new plant represents a €75-million investment that will create more than 50 new jobs and expand the company’s HDS capacity by 85,000 tons per year.
Pirelli Tire North America executive Tom Gravalos has been named CEO of Pirelli Neumaticos S.A. de C.V. in Mexico (Pirelli Mexico), effective immediately, reports Tire Review. Gravalos was vice president of marketing and OE for Pirelli Tire North America.
A French study has demonstrated the effectiveness of Improved Flexion (IF) tyres at reducing soil compaction compared to a set of caterpillar tread tracks. The study, organised by the French National Research Institute of Science and Technology for Environment and Agriculture (IRSTEA), measured the soil compaction rates on a 3.5 hectare plot of farmland after a loaded combine harvester fitted with three different mobility options – a set of Michelin CerexBib 800mm IF tyres, a set of CerexBib 900mm IF tyres and a set of three 760mm roller caterpillar tread tracks – passed over it.
Tom Masuguchi has been promoted to Yokohama Tire Corporation’s senior vice-president, chief strategy officer and deputy chief financial officer. The former vice-president and chief accounting officer began in these new positions on 1 May.
Stewart Oades has handed over the presidency of the Freight Transport Association to Ian Veitch, managing director of Yusen Logistics UK, following FTA's National Council meeting in London on 23 April. Stewart Oades steps down after completing a four year term as FTA President.
Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) will display two new xlite super single forged aluminium wheels on stand A28 at Truckfest Peterborough. Following their February launch, the show will mark the first exhibition appearance for the wheels MWS says are among the lightest on market. A change in profile by manufacturer Wheels India has enabled the load index to be increased to 5,000kg from 4,500kg.
The Independent Tire Dealers Group (ITDG) has announced its exclusive distribution and marketing of the Diamondback passenger car and light truck tyre brand in the United States. The buying group said it is working in concert with Husky Tire of San Antonio, Texas, which provides logistical support expertise.
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.
Bartrums Warehousing and Distribution has received 10 Wilcox 70 cubic yard plank sided tipping trailers fitted with the company’s specification GT Radial GT876 tyres. Bartrums has completed a two-year tyre test programme in which various GT Radial patterns were compared across different vehicle types and wheel positions. Following these performance results the brand was made main supplier to the entire fleet, GT Radial says.
Following the news that Yokohama established a Mexican subsidiary, Yokohama Tire Mexico S. de R.L., local news reports suggest the tyre manufacturer is planning to use this company to build a passenger car tyre production plant in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico. According to El Economista newspaper, the plan is for the plant to provide tyres to Honda and Mazda auto plants in the region, as well as for the North American replacement market.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
