CEAT Opens Dubai Office
In order to best meet growing demand for its tyres in the Middle East region, Indian manufacturer CEAT has established a new Dubai office. The operation is to be headed up by Pawan Rana.
Posts
Dubai Taxi Signs 9 million dirham Tyre Deal with Al Dobowi
NewsDubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) and the local Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) recently signed a contract with Al Dobowi Tyre to supply Hankook tyres to its fleet for two years in a deal worth 9 million dirhams (£1.525 million; 1.703 million euros; US$2.450 million). The contract was signed by DTC CEO Abdul Aziz Malik and Al Dobowi CEO Harjeev Singh Kandhari, in the presence of several directors and executives from both parties.
Al Dobowi was selected following a public tender attracting participation from several tyre specialist companies from across the globe. However, following analysis of offers made, Al Dobowi was nominated for submitting the best offer of 8,878,608 UAW dirhams. “…the company has a good record of experience and reputation in the field of tyres" commented Abdul Aziz Malik.
Yokohama to Unleash ‘Samurai’ at Dubai Motor Show
Company NewsYokohama Rubber has announced its participation in the Dubai International Motor Show 2009, which will run from December 15, Tuesday, through December 20, Sunday. A key product on display at the show will be Yokohama’s new “Advan dB”, which will be launched in Asian markets in July. The company says it will also exhibit “as reference products” a number of its latest offerings that have not been released in the Middle East market. A new corporate visual theme – "Samurai" – will also be unveiled for overseas markets during the show.
Continental Ends Talks With MAG Over Clairoix Plant
NewsTalks between Continental AG and MAG, a Dubai-based potential buyer of the company’s tyre technology and passenger/light truck tyre manufacturing facility in Clairoix, France, have ended. According to Continental, the talks “mutually ceased” with no agreement reached. The parties held intensive discussions, but finally concluded that it was not possible to reach common ground on pursuing further negotiations.
“We would have liked to have become involved in the tyre manufacturing business as an extension to our value-chain activities which are strongly focused on the trade sector. Using the knowledge we have at present we shall continue to examine this approach. We specifically thank the French government for its commitment and support while we were deliberating on the matter, and we shall keep France in our minds as a key location for future business plans”, said Dr Fawaz Sabri vice chairman of MAG
Dr Bernhard Trilken, responsible for Continental`s global passenger and light truck tyre production, added: “It was not possible to enter into concrete negotiations on the basis of jointly defined framework conditions. The two parties reached the same conclusion and, at that point, agreed to terminate the sales talks.”
Infinity Displays Two New Products to Bologna Attendees
Product NewsSituated in a prime location in Hall 20, the Infinity stand at the recent Autopromotec 2009 was, the company believes, one of the show’s busiest, displaying the general confidence and determination to push the brand forwards in Europe.
As well as showcasing two new products – the Infinity 059 and the Infinity 200 – there was a comprehensive series of distributor update meetings. All the main European and International Infinity distributors visited the stand and were welcomed by the Infinity team from Europe and Dubai.
Mid East Industry Representatives Meet to Discuss Barbican Turbo
Product NewsRepresentatives from the custom, tuning and motorsports industry have met in Dubai to discuss the Barbican Turbo show, which will be held between the 8th and 10th October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Last year’s inaugural show was attended by more than 19,000 enthusiasts, a very respectable headcount for a first-time show. Critical to the show’s ongoing success, believes organiser United Business Media, is direct input from the industry about Barbican Turbo’s future development and how it can meet the needs of participating companies.
“We are especially pleased the organisers have decided to involve us and other companies in the event process as it allows them to produce an event that we actually want and need to support our businesses goals,” stated Foilacar managing director Swen Roters, who was present at the Dubai meeting.
Al Saeedi Named Maitech Best Dealer
Product NewsAl Saeedi Middle East FZ Co. was recently named as Maitech Tyres’s Best Dealer 2008. The award was presented Ian Thomas, Maitech director international sales in a ceremony held at the Intermat show in Paris.
The Maitech range includes all-steel off road radials with sizes to suit many different types of construction equipment. The Maitech range of steel radial UM3/UM5 tyres covers 15.5R25, 17.5R25, 20.5R25, 23.5R25, 26.5R25 and 29.5R25. In particular Maitech tyres are said to be highly resistant to shoulder and tread cuts and hence enjoy a greatly extended life for maximum cost effectiveness. This extended life, combined with the Maitech’s ability to wear evenly, results in lower costs per kilometre and therefore reduced overall machine operating costs.
Conti Expresses Openness to MAG Clairoix Proposal
Career TracksAs of May 6 Continental AG reports that its talks with Dubai’s Moaffaq Al Gaddah (MAG) Group are ‘continuing’, with discussions centring on jointly defining the terms of a possible takeover proposal for Conti’s Clairoix plant. This meeting began the day after management from MAG visited the French factory, 24 hours later than originally planned – the visit was delayed for a day at the request of France’s Ministry for the Economy, Finances and Employment on safety grounds, the site having been closed temporarily following the destruction of fire prevention, alarm and surveillance systems.
Automechanika Middle East
Product NewsAutomechanika Middle East is the largest automotive aftermarket exhibition covering entire UAE, Gulf Countries, wider Middle East and Africa. Automechanika ME 2009 will be held from 31 May–2 June, 2009 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, UAE.
Some of the most lucrative export destinations can be reached through the ports of Dubai. Automechanika Middle East is the only platform for the Tyre related companies to target $1.1bn Tyre Industry.
For further information contact:
Jasmeet Bakshi
Show Manager
Automechanika Middle East
Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH
PO Box 26761
Dubai, UAE
Tel. +971 4 3380102
Fax. +971 4 3380041
Porsche Wins the 24 Hours of Dubai Endurance Race on Pirelli
Product NewsPirelli reports its 2009 motor sport season opened in the best possible way, with the securing of a decisive win in the 24 Hours of Dubai endurance race that took place on the weekend of January 10-11. After 24 hours of racing, the Land Motorsport Porsche 997GT3Cup, driven by Gabriel Abergel, Carsen Tilke, Niclas Kenberich and Andzej Dzikevic led home the other 58 finishers with a winning margin of half a lap.
Arab RFID 2008 Conference Features Michelin Expert
Product NewsMichelin Tyres’ Dr. Patrick King will speak at the forthcoming Arab RFID 2008 Conference. The event, scheduled for 12-15 October 2008 will take palce at the Moevenpick Hotel, Dubai. Other Arab RFID 2008 Conference speakers include: Ken Porad (The Boeing Company), Dr. Dan Engels (MIT) and Sybren Tuinstra (TNT Express). Master Classes will be held on 12 and 15 of October, while the main conference will take place from 13-14 October 2008.
Sumitomo Establishes Middle East Replacement Tyre Business
Product NewsSumitomo Rubber Industries is establishing a company to handle the sale of tyres in the Middle East region. The Dubai based company, called Sumitomo Rubber Middle East FZE, will start operations of January 1, 2009, and will focus upon expanding sales of replacement tyres in the region, an area where Sumitomo has identified growth. The key products handled by the new company will be passenger car, light commercial and truck tyres.
The company, 100 per cent owned by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, will be headed by Masaru Tabata. The operations will employ approximately 15 persons.
Michelin Signs 10-Year Tyre Deal With Emirates
Product NewsMichelin reports it has signed a ten-year agreement for the supply of aircraft tyres to the airline Emirates. The deal, the total value of which has not been disclosed, will see all 58 Airbus A380 airliners ordered by the Dubai based carrier fitted with the Michelin rubber.
Deliveries of the A380 to Emirates began in July and will continue until 2013. When the total Emirates A380 fleet is in service, the airline will be the world’s largest operator of the new double-deck aircraft
Sino-Indian Trade Increase Leads to Tyre Plant Possibility
Product NewsSpurred on by the sharp increase in trade between China and India, Chinese Consul General in Kolkata Mao Siwei has told news sources about the attractiveness of a joint venture to set up a tyre plant in West Bengal.
Trade between the countries has reached $38.7 billion in 2007, representing a rapid increase from the 1999 figure of $2 billion, leaving Siwei keen to continue the development with collaborative manufacturing ventures.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, the Consul General suggested that the Bengalese tyre unit would be a joint venture between a China-based and a Dubai-based company.
Hankook Europe Names Hee-Se Ahn VP Sales & Marketing
Product NewsHankook Tire Europe has elected Hee-Se Ahn (48) as Vice-President of Sales & Marketing for the tyre manufacturer’s European regional headquarters, located in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt/Germany. He succeeds Byeong-Jin Lee who has moved to a new management position at the group’s headquarters in Seoul/Korea. Mr Ahn’s responsibilities will include successfully integrating the company’s new 500 million euro Hungarian production plant into its future European marketing strategy.
