Double Coin Holdings has become the first China based tyre manufacturer to have one of its commercial truck tyres included on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘SmartWay’ list of verified technologies. The tyre in question, the FT105, is a trailer tyre from Double Coin’s low rolling resistance range, which also includes the FR605 and FD405.
According to an announcement made by Shanghai United Assets and Equity Exchange’s, Michelin is the transferee of the 30 per cent of the shares held in Shanghai Michelin Warrior Tire Co. Ltd. (SMWT) at the price of RMB 170,180,000 (₤15.6 million). A statement released by Michelin notes that “all of the parties agree that the transaction is in their best interests and is beneficial to the sustainable growth of SMWT and Warrior Brand”.
Double Coin distributor, Kirkby Tyres Ltd, has announced that the Chinese tyre manufacturer is expanding its truck tyre range. According to Kirkby Tyres, the size expansion means the sole distributor (UK and Ireland) can now offer an “all-encompassing
truck tyre line to meet the needs of the most demanding tyre retailer or end user.”
Double Coin Holdings Ltd. announced on July 17 the intention to sell its 28.5 per cent shares in Shanghai Michelin Warrior Tire Co. Ltd (SMWT); the company says it believes this transaction is in the best interest of SMWT’s shareholders. The share sale will follow the applicable process and rules that apply under Chinese laws and regulations. At the same time a second shareholder, Shanghai Minhang United Development Co., Ltd, will also sell its 1.5 per cent share.
The new products, unveiled this week at CMA’s new Memphis warehouse, include fuel-efficient medium truck radials and a new 57-inch OTR radial for mining service. Now available are the Double Coin FR605, FD405 and FT105, described as “ultra-premium fuel-efficient tyres available for steer, drive and trailer positions;” a new mixed service tyre in the Double Coin RR202, an ultra-premium five-rib highway service tire; and the Double Coin RR680 and low-profile RT600 regional all-position/steer tyres. The Double Coin REM-11, in size 3700R57, was developed, said CMA, for “severe mining and haulage applications.” The giant OTR line features heat and cut/chip resistant compounds, application specific patterns for improved traction and longer original tread life; and a durable casing for retreadability.
The net pricing programme, said CMA, “enables federal, state, and local government entities and municipalities to purchase high-quality Double Coin TBR and radial OTR products at net pricing” through CMA’s dealer network. “Many of our products have been purchased by school bus fleets, government vehicles and other municipalities for some time through the local dealer network,” notes Walt Weller, CMA vice president. “This program formally publishes a TBR and OTR schedule and contract number so that anyone who requires a published program can participate in utilizing Double Coin’s value-laden products.” (Tire Review/Akron)
The corruption trial against former Double Coin chairman Fan Xian began in China on May 25. According to the Shanghai Daily, the 55-year old is charged with corruption involving 17.25 million yuan (£1.59 million), accepting 8.35 million yuan in bribes and embezzling 57 million yuan.
At the first day of proceeding at the Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court, Fan denied most of the charges raised by the prosecution. The Shanghai Daily reports that he “tried to avoid key questions.” When the chief judge told him to answer questions directly, he allegedly answered by saying “I can’t remember clearly” or “I don’t know.”
In Qatar Q-Tire and roadside recovery service Raha Auto Assistance have partnered to offer a 15 per cent discount on new tyres purchased at Q-Tire’s five Doha service centres. Q-Tire is the authorised representative and distributor in Qatar for Goodyear, Falken, Solideal, MRF, TVS Roadux, Double Coin & Primewell.
Ikram Hamdad, general manager of Raha, commented: “Q-Tire and Raha have a clear focus to improve the motoring experience for the motorists of Qatar. We agree there is a real need to educate drivers about tyre maintenance in order to increase vehicle safety and tyre performance, as well as to extend the life of the tyres.”
CMA said that marketshare for its Double Coin brand in Mexico has more than doubled since the lines were re-introduced in the country in 2007. For 2008, Double Coin held a 1.5 per cent share in Mexico, up 100 per cent vs. 2007, CMA claimed.
“The partnership we fostered beginning in 2007 with Del-Nat Tire Corp. and Todo Neumáticos y Más (TNM) has created a seamless marketing effort for Double Coin in Mexico,” said CMA vice president Aaron Murphy. “It has allowed us to utilize a strong dealership network in all parts of Mexico as our solid foundation for sales and service on our products, as well as capitalise on the strengths that Del-Nat offers when managing export sales.” TNM is a buying group of 13 dealer/distributors throughout Mexico with its headquarters in Queretaro. (Tire Review/Akron)
Liverpool based Kirkby Tyres & Wheels, the exclusive distributor of Double Coin tyres in the UK and Ireland, reports that the company’s crane tyres are becoming an increasingly popular item. This popularity can be seen by the decision made by Davies Crane Hire Limited to fit Double Coin brand tyres as its preferred brand, effective immediately.
Kirby’s national accounts director, Simon Michael, believes this decision in favour of Double Coin to be a significant step forward for the brand in the highly competitive crane industry, and reports that the South Wales crane hire firm will be supplied and services by Carmarthenshire Tyre Services Limited.
Double Coin Holdings Ltd. has made retread specifications for Double Coin radial truck and bus tyre casings available in the US. Details include the buffing radius and width for 15 to 24.5-inch rim widths. The specifications also include data for tube type, tubeless, conventional and low-profile tyres. Double Coin compiled the data by working with several strategic retreaders in North America.
Online reports state that the Double Coin truck tyre warranty includes all the normal guarantees, plus a 50 per cent free replacement option. Crucially for retreaders it also includes a casing warranty throughout the life of the second retread.
Fan Xian has been replaced as chairman of Double Coin Holdings, one of China’s largest tyremakers and parent of China Manufacturers Alliance in the US. There have been a number of unconfirmed reports out of China that Fan had been “detained” and is under investigation by the government for unspecified reasons.
Liu Xunfeng was appointed to replace Fan, effective August 6, by the Shanghai Huayi Group, a government body that owns a 60 per cent share of Double Coin Holdings. Fan also served as vice president of Shanghai Huayi Group, and was replaced in that capacity, as well. Yue Chun Chen, general manager of Double Coin and president of its Shanghai radial truck tyre plant, will continue to manage the day-to-day affairs of the company and its global tire subsidiaries.
China’s Double Coin – one of the country’s first manufacturers producing radial tyres – has announced that it is to increase production to six million tyres with the construction of a third factory. In producing the additional product quantity, the company hopes to meet market demand for radials, which it believes is rising.
At Reifen 2008, Double Coin reported a great deal of European interest as well as other international tyre specialists, a fact the company puts down to its greater experience in different markets, which it says has enabled the company to produce a product of increasingly high quality.
The largest importer and exporter of passenger car tyres in Europe is Inter-Sprint. The Dutch company has approximately 250 permanent employees and growth in recent years had made the construction of a second premises in the town of Moerdijk necessary – the original site at Heinenoord, near Rotterdam, lacked sufficient space for adequate expansion. At the new site Inter-Sprint has the room it needs to develop a brand new 68,000 square metre facility, which it will do in phases. Significant extensions are planned for 2009.
Inter-Sprint is able to offer its customers a huge range of products that includes the major ‘A’ brands plus numerous private labels, including Milestone, Euro Tyfoon, Mastersteel, Roadhog and Meteor. The company also stocks a number of exclusive labels, amongst them the Viking brand of summer and winter pcr and lcv tyres, produced by Continental and exclusively distributed by Inter-Sprint in the Netherlands and several other European markets.
Double Coin has joined the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB), bringing TRIB’s membership to 480 members in 48 countries. Double Coin has joined under the banner of China Manufacturer’s Alliance (CMA), the US cooperative that names a number of Chinese brands within its ranks.
“TRIB continues to grow internationally as more and more companies in the new tyre and retread industries throughout the world realize that TRIB is the only international retread industry association representing new tire manufacturers, retreaders and tyre repair companies,” said Harvey Brodsky, TRIB’s Managing Director.
Double Coin Truck Tire is rolling out a fleet programme for its North American customers. Known as the Double Coin National Account Fleet Program, the scheme enables medium and large-sized trucking fleets to purchase high quality Double Coin TBR products at competitive pricing through the extensive dealer network across North America.
“Fleets that have a large geographic coverage across North America currently purchase Double Coin truck tyres from local dealers independently. This program now allows these fleets to receive standardised, centralised pricing and billing direct from Double Coin,” company officials said.
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