Dunlop Archives - Page 84 of 112 - Tyrepress

Posts

Pneu-Logic Partners with Goodyear Dunlop in EFM Deal

Derbyshire based Pneu-Logic Ltd., now a subsidiary of Advanced ID Corporation, has entered into a strategic partnership with Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK to provide Pneu-Logic Fleet Management System (EFM) products in the United Kingdom under the Goodyear Dunlop brand name. This latest agreement reflects Advanced ID’s current global activities, which has seen the company present Goodyear Dunlop EFM in Europe, the US and Australia. Advanced ID also report that they have received strong signs of interest from Asia and the Middle East.

According to a Goodyear Dunlop press release from the recent CV show in Birmingham, “Goodyear Dunlop EFM is a result of the strategic partnership with Pneu-Logic, manufacturers of hardware and software solutions for transport operators. Goodyear Dunlop UK began using Pneu-Logic equipment in 2006, and following the success of the initial trial, the tyre giant has chosen to launch a version of the system under its own brand name, tailored for the specific needs of Goodyear Dunlop customers.” The tyremaker intends to use these units in the UK and across Europe to collect tyre tread and pressure data from vehicles on their key fleets.

27th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

An “Exciting Year”

The 34th Apollo Tyres Annual General Meeting, held in the Indian state of Kerala on July 26, was more than merely an occasion on which to report the company’s latest financial results. For chairman Onkar S Kanwar it was an opportunity to take stock of where the company has been and where it is headed. These thoughts were reflected in his address to company shareholders.

“The India we live in has changed dramatically over the last 34 years, he said in opening. “And especially so in the last ten. Today we stand at the threshold of great opportunity as a nation, for tomorrow will be India’s century.” He added that if India takes on the attitude of “being a winner”, as he believes Apollo has, the nation will continue to grow and “claim our rightful place in the pantheon of leading nations of the world.”

26th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Strikes & Wage Negotiations Continue in South Africa

South Africa’s tyre industry strike continued into its third day on Tuesday July 24 while wage negotiations reportedly continued to advance at a snail’s pace. While Tyre Employers’ Association spokesperson Attie Higgs reported that the parties involved had made progress on several non-wage demands, negotiations on wage related issues had not budged, with the “same position” being maintained on both sides.

While unions are demanding a 10 per cent wage rise, tyremakers Dunlop, Continental and Goodyear are prepared to offer an increase of 7.5 per cent, while Bridgestone’s carrot is a 7 per cent wage rise. National Union of Metalworkers South Africa spokesperson Mziwakhe Hlangani said “we want to force employers to improve their offer because the industry has been reporting good profits over the past three years. We are hopeful of a significant wage increase.” Such claims of industry growth are refuted by Higgs, who countered with the argument that during the past three to four years the local industry’s market share had been diminished by the presence of imported tyres.

25th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop Invests in Next Tread Production Machinery

Next Tread, the commercial vehicle retread business of the Goodyear Dunlop group, has announced an investment in new machinery at its Wolverhampton plant. The investment in nail-hole detection equipment, which will be used on every tyre that enters the Next Tread process, is designed to ensure that Next Tread tyres are only produced using the best quality used truck and bus tyres (casings) available. This new-generation machinery is an integral part of the Next Tread Quality Assurance process and will be used on every tyre before it enters the retreading process.

Next Tread products are warranted for four years and are produced to the highest standards. Only quality casings, such as from Goodyear and Dunlop, are used to ensure the total quality of the product and its performance. The new machinery detects hole damage in the casing that may be invisible to the naked eye.

24th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

JV Partner Sought for India’s TCI

The Indian government’s wholly owned and ailing tyremaker, Tyre Corporation of India (TCI) is looking for a joint venture partner to help revive its fortunes. India’s Economic Times newspaper has reported that the government plans to attract a partner that can provide both the latest global technology and pan-India product marketing support.

An official from India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries told the Economic Times: “The matter now lies with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry for a final approval, after a bill (the Disinvestment of Ownership Bill, 2007), was introduced in parliament in May. As and when it is passed, we would move ahead with the revival of the sick unit, through the disinvestment route.”

20th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

A Well Balanced Range from Gemco

Gemco Equipment Ltd, part of Denmark’s 90-year old Stenhøj Group, is said to be the largest supplier of tyre bay equipment in the UK, and the company offers not one but two lines of tyre changers and wheel balancers – their own Dunlop brand and the highly regarded Mondolfo Ferro range from Italy, for whom Gemco acts as UK representative.

Mondolfo Ferro has been selling their equipment in overseas markets since 1965 and today the company continues its focus on product development to ensure its machines maintain a leading technological edge. In the UK Gemco markets three Mondolfo products of particular interest – the Aquila AS944 tyre changer and the MT2080 and MT2680 wheel balancers.

20th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Truck Racing Heads to Dunlop’s Great & British Festival

The Dunlop Great & British Festivals heads to Thruxton for a “larger-than-life” weekend of racing on 21 & 22 July. For a second year, the Dunlop Great & British Festivals will be at Thruxton and the UK’s biggest supported one make series will form the core of the action at the event. Alongside the core ‘Great & British’ Championships of the Dunlop Radical EnDuro, the Dunlop Radical BiDuro and the MINI Challenge, will be the British and International Truck Racing Championships.

16th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop to Supply V8 Series Down-Under

Dunlop has won its third consecutive contract to supply its control tyre to teams participating in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series from 2008 to 2012. Since 2002, Dunlop has been the sole tyre supplier to the V8 Supercar Championship Series and Fujitsu Series, providing and servicing more than 9,000 tyres per year.

Judith Swales, managing director & CEO of South Pacific Tyres, which owns and operates Dunlop in Australia, is very excited about TEGA’s appointment of Dunlop as the Series’ official control tyre supplier. “Dunlop has a long and proud association with motorsport in Australia and around the world, and TEGA’s decision to award us the tyre contract highlights their confidence in our ability to supply a high-quality tyre — and an experienced and efficient operations group — to service the race teams,” Swales said.

10th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop India Planning to Produce Aircraft Tyres

Despite the recent troubles that have plagued Dunlop India, the company is remaining positive and has announced that, as part of an initiative to revive its fortunes, the company will begin manufacturing aircraft tyres and industrial products at its Sahaguni and Ambattur factories in September. Production at both factories is currently halted, allegedly due to a shortage of working capital.

“We will start manufacturing industrial products like conveyor belts and other products used in steel and other industrial plants and these will be part of the revival programme,” reported Dunlop India vice-president Dhrubojyoti Nandi. “The production will start in September, when both the factories in Sahagunj and Ambattur resume full operation.”

6th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Rubber Traded Immunity for Information in Cartel Case

It has been reported that Yokohama Rubber provided evidence against its former associates involved in the recent price fixing controversy in exchange for immunity, allowing the US Justice Department to the break the international price cartel that included Dunlop Oil & Marine, Trelleborg Industrie SAS and domestic rival Bridgestone. The information Yokohama Rubber supplied led to the May arrests of eight senior company officials.

The Justice Department claims that the eight men had met in the United States, Bangkok and London on numerous occasions since 1999 in order to predetermine which company would be awarded contracts. They are also suspected of manipulating the tender prices for marine hoses.

6th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Firestone Adds to UK Sales Force

Firestone has appointed a new Area Sales Manager to cover the Midlands and Wales. Martin Stanley has over 27 years experience within the tyre trade spanning consumer, commercial, motorsport and most importantly, agricultural sectors. He has worked for Dunlop, Europa and Goodyear.

Commenting on the new role, Martin said: “There are lots of opportunities to develop the business in the area. My job will be made easier by the fact that Firestone has invested heavily in developing new premium tyres that perform as well as, or better than the most expensive tyres in the market – yet are competitively priced. With the new product and size expansion program, it means that there will be a new tyre launched every month between now and 2011. No other manufacturer is showing this commitment to the agricultural market. The expanding sales force is further evidence of this.”

5th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop Increases Truck Tyre Production

Goodyear Dunlop is to increase truck tyre production output at its Luxembourg factory to 6000 units a day. Speaking at the launch of Goodyear Max Technology at the company’s Mireval test centre in the south of France, European truck tyre operations managing director, Henry Johnson, told Tyres & Accessories that the move mean the Luxembourg plant is running at maximum capacity, up 10 per cent from its previous operating capacity. The announcement answers suggestions of a CV tyre supply and demand gap from some market analysts. Johnson played down those suggestions saying: “It won’t have a dramatic effect on business” as companies like Goodyear would adjust production allowing supply to even out.

Nevertheless, Johnson gave details of a two-phase capacity increase programme that begins with increased production at Luxembourg. This will be followed by further capacity increases after 6-9 months. A second phase of expansion is expected in 18 months time. The news follows earlier announcements that Goodyear would invest an additional $20 million in capacity increases at it Polish production plant.

5th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Ex-Carlisle Workers Protest in Trinidad

Former employees of a Trinidad & Tobago based tyre factory acquired by Carlisle Tire & Rubber in 1995 have protested over severance money owed to them for more than a dozen years. Earlier this year the country’s Industrial Court ordered Carlisle, who took over the assets of the Caribbean Tyre Company, to pay more than TTD$10.6 million (£854,000) in outstanding benefits, with a payment deadline of February 23. To date Carlisle has not complied with the court’s ruling.

The workers involved in the current protest were employed by the Caribbean Tyre Company Ltd, who made them redundant in 1995. The company paid 70 per cent of the workers’ severance with the promise that Carlisle would re-employ all of them. Carlisle closed down operations in Trinidad & Tobago in September 2003, allegedly after workers began protesting working conditions and outstanding wages. About 400 employees lost their jobs during the closure.

4th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop India Plant Halts Production

Production at Dunlop India’s Sahagunj facility, which re-opened late last year and began producing tyres in January for the first time since 2001, has once again come to a virtual stop. According to state commerce and industry minister Nirupam Sen, a shortage of working capital is the factor behind this stoppage. “I shall discuss the issue with chairman Pawan Kumar Ruia,” he said following a meeting with union representatives and a local member of parliament. During this meeting it was alleged that company management have not been honouring the agreement they made with employees.

News of the facility’s latest woes has been widely reported in India’s media. Newspaper The Statesman has quoted union representative Kali Ghosh as saying “Mr Pawan Ruia has lost all his credibility.” He further stated that the Ruia group had not brought in capital or raw materials to run the plant, and claimed that workers are also owed money.

3rd July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop International UHP Tyres Benefit from Silica

Apollo Tyres’ owned Dunlop Tyres International has introduced a new silica compound into its 16 to 18-inch UHP passenger car tyre range. The company is confident that the silica compound will offer drivers a range of benefits, including better wet grip, superior cornering ability and overall improved handling from the W and Z speed rated tyres.

On-road tests of tyres made using the silica compound demonstrate an improvement to wet skid performance by as much as 15 per cent, and Dunlop International report that similar improvements in grip and braking distances were also experienced. However, the company’s technical director, Danie Langner believes the most significant benefit of this new compound will be felt in motorists’ pockets. “With fuel prices soaring any innovation that helps reduce a vehicle’s fuel consumption is valuable,” he commented. “The good news is that by replacing some of the traditional carbon black compound with silica we have substantially reduced the rolling resistance of our tyres. In fact, tests indicate that, provided the tyres are maintained at the correct pressure our silica compound will reduce rolling resistance by 20 per cent or more. This means that less fuel is required to propel the vehicle forward, with a 20 per reduction in rolling resistance translating into a 5% reduction in fuel consumption. That’s a significant saving; basically your Dunlop tyres will now pay for themselves over their lifespan.”

3rd July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors