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Bridgestone Automated Tyre Facility Opens in Hungary

The fully automated 190 million tyre manufacturing facility Bridgestone has built in Tatabánya, Hungary, officially opened for business on April 3. The factory is the first in Europe to feature the tyre major’s BIRD (Bridgestone Innovative and Rational Development) technology and only the second facility outside Japan to do so. Plant production of high-performance and large-rim sized radial tyres for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles is scheduled to reach 8,000 units a day in 2009.

More than 150 guests attended the opening ceremony, including senior Hungarian figures from local, regional and national authorities. Amongst this group of dignitaries was Mr. Ábel Garamhegyi, Hungarian State Secretary, Ministry of Economy and Transport, Mr. János Bencsik, Mayor of Tatabánya and Mr. László Beke, Mayor of Környe. Representatives of Hungary’s national and local media, officials from local organisations in Tatabánya and Környe, and managing directors of neighbouring companies also attended.

4th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Gripen Wheels Now in the UK

The products of Swedish manufacturer Gripen Wheels have only recently arrived in the UK, with the company’s first pricelist for our market introduced in 2007. The company boasts a wide range of product offerings – in addition to a large stock of rims for OTR vehicles such as earthmovers and those used in mining operations, the company claims to have the largest OTR tyre warehouse capacity in Europe with most tyres in stock for immediate delivery. Further details about the company’s product offerings can be obtained from the Gripen Wheels website www.gripenwheels.com

3rd April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Firestone Sole Tyre Supplier for Combined IndyCar Series

In Europe Formula 1 is considered the leading motor sport, but in the US IndyCar is king, but for the past 12 years this single-seater championship has faced rivalry from Champ Car. Now, however, the two championships are combining under the IndyCar Series banner – and Firestone has been selected as the sole tyre supplier to the series.

Bridgestone and Firestone have supplied both championships for the past 12 years and, for the previous few seasons, been sole official supplier to both. As official tyre supply brand, Firestone will act as title sponsor for the Firestone Indy Lights series, while still, says Bridgestone, benefiting from the tyre major’s racing work over the past five years.

31st March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyremen Seeking Partners to Share its Success

As 2008 gathers momentum the team at Tyremen report they are looking forward to a bright and busy few months. Having secured contracts with two of the industry’s best known names in the European wheel industry, the company is now looking for trade partners to share its success.

31st March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Dow Europe Announces Price Increase for Synthetic Rubber

As of April 1st, or as contract terms allow, prices for all synthetic rubber grades sold in Europe by Dow Europe GmbH will by 150 euros per tonne, the company has announced. The products included in the price rise include those from its portfolio of styrene rubber (SBR) and polybutadiene rubber (BR) products, including cold polymerized emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (BUNA E-SBR), high-cis polybutadiene rubber (BR), low-cis polybutadiene rubber as well as solution styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR).

31st March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Deldo Celebrates 35 Years in the Business

Based in the port region of Antwerp, one of Europe’s busiest sea freight facilities, Deldo Autobanden N.V. – with daily tyre shipments from its 60,000 square metre warehouse and auxiliary storage facilities exceeding 60,000 units – is acknowledged as one of the region’s largest wholesalers. And in 2008 Deldo celebrates a significant milestone in its history – the 35th anniversary of the company’s establishment.

Today’s modern facilities in the Belgian port city are a far cry from the early days of Deldo, when Jos Delcroix & Paula Donckers founded the business in 1973 with a small warehouse and just two employees. However the pair possessed two further assets that proved crucial – ambition and a great deal of energy. This ensured rapid and stable growth for the fledgling company. Strong customer service, an extensive knowledge of the European market, and solid, long-term business relationships proved to be good foundations on which Deldo could expand.

28th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Essen is a Springboard to Europe for Vellco

This year sees Vellco make its first appearance at Reifen 2008 in a move that also marks the company’s first show involvement outside of the UK. Vellco, which describes itself as “one of the largest and most successful truck tyre casing collection specialists in the UK” will be exhibiting in hall 6, stand 322, and is seeking to capitalise on the progress the company has made in European truck casing markets in recent years. According to company representatives, Vellco’s recent European progress has “enabled significant advances” for the North Yorkshire based company.

27th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Second SSW Facility to Significantly Boost Output Capacity

Stamford Sport Wheels (SSW) is swiftly emerging as a popular provider of high quality aluminium wheels courtesy of its own manufacturing complex near Bangkok, Thailand. This facility, established in 2004, holds a potential production capacity of over 450,000 wheels per year. Currently more than 30,000 wheels roll off the plant’s twin production line each month, with 80 per cent of these exported to numerous destinations, including Europe.

All factory equipment is fully automated and computerised, with each level of production closely monitored and controlled. Wheels are cast using what SSW calls ‘Tilting Gravity Casting’ technology, complete with automatic robotic feeding, the result of this being less air turbulence during the pouring process to ensure stronger and tougher wheels with reduced porosity and fewer pinholes.

27th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodway to Show Extended Range, Green Benefits

Goodway Rubber is planning to bring its Supercool range for a return-visit to the upcoming Reifen-Essen 2008, but this time with an extended offering of its pre-cured treads designed to meet a myriad road conditions. Goodyway’s appearance is designed to reinforce Supercool’s presence in the European market, and also refreshing old ties with existing European customers and sourcing potential new opportunities.

The Supercool range will be represented by select samples including KL60, KH90W, KM45, KM38, KM67, KM48, KM71, KM46E and KM87 which will be mounted on display for a first-hand “feel-and-touch” experience. The Supercool pre-cured liners’ 10.2m KH27 and 3.3m KW55 will also be available for viewing to visitors.

27th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Zeon Decides Against Appealing European Fine

Zeon, the Japanese synthetic rubber manufacturer fined 34.23 million euros by the European Commission for its involvement in price fixing for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR), has decided not to appeal the Commission’s decision to the Court of First Instance.

“Zeon Corporation has decided that Zeon Corporation and its European subsidiaries, Zeon Europe GmbH, Zeon Chemicals Europe Ltd. will not appeal to the Court of First Instance against the decision by the European Commission dated January 23rd 2008,” said the company in a statement. “Zeon’s board carefully reviewed the decision and made the resolution in all aspects including the costs of long and burdensome litigation for a reduction of the fine.”

26th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Supercharged Jaguar XF Launched on Pirelli Tyres

The new Jaguar XF is being launched this month (March), preceding its worldwide launch programme covering the rest of Europe, the United States of America and the Far East. And what’s more, the powerhouse XF 4.2 V8 supercharged version will be supplied exclusively on 20-inch, Pirelli P Zero Tyres. The new Jaguar replaces the S-type models in the range.

26th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Ford Announces Jaguar, Land Rover Sale Agreement

Not strictly tyre-related, but nevertheless a significant event for the UK automotive industry. On March 26 the Ford Motor Company announced its entry into a definitive agreement to sell its Jaguar Land Rover operations to India’s Tata Motors. The transaction, says Ford, is the culmination of its August 2007 decision to explore “strategic options” for the Jaguar Land Rover business while accelerating its focus on its core Ford brand and One Ford global transformation.

The total cash amount to be paid by Tata Motors for Jaguar Land Rover upon closing will be approximately US$2.3 billion. At closing, Ford will then contribute up to approximately $600 million to the Jaguar Land Rover pension plans. The sale is expected to close by the end of the next quarter and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.

26th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho Vietnam Factory Brings Global Tyre Output to 65 Million Units

The recent completion of Kumho’s 315,000 square metre Vietnamese factory, brings the Korean tyre manufacturer’s global output to circa 65 million units. The plant built at a cost of some $200 million will initially manufacture around 3.15 million tyres per annum, but there is provision to expand production to 13 million units.

With the new plant on stream, Kumho expects its 2008 international tyre production levels to total 34 million units, thereby exceeding its domestic output (around 31 million units) for the first time and hitting the 65 million unit mark. According to the company, this will be a significant step towards the company’s ambition of achieving 5th place in the league of global tyre manufacturers by 2015.

19th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Report: Global Tyre Market to Hit 1.6 Billion Units by 2010

Replacement tyre shipments in Europe totalled 309 million units for 2007, with the global tyre market projected to grow at a compounded annual rate of over 3 per cent. According to a new report produced by Global Industry Analysts, Europe is the largest market accounting for a 29.5 per cent share of a global market that is expected to reach 1.6 billion units by 2010. OEM tyre shipments, estimated at 415 million units, account for 28.5 per cent of the global tyre market; and are projected to grow at a compounded annual rate of nearly 3.1 per cent.

18th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho Continues as Zandvoort Masters of Formula 3 Sponsor

During the weekend of 8 -10 August, top Formula 3 drivers will once again race on Kumho tyres at Zolder, following tyre supplier Kumho’s decision to commit to the event as title sponsor. The “Zandvoort Masters of Formula 3” is Europe’s only race featuring the best Formula 3 drivers from the various championships.

“Of course, this is still a temporary solution, because Zandvoort is the natural homebase for the Masters, like the name already indicates”, says Erik Weijers, C.O.O. of Circuit Park Zandvoort. “The idea of the Masters was born at Zandvoort and the event has built up its strong history here from the very first edition in 1991 onwards. Because of the limited number of so-called ‘noise days’ that we have at Zandvoort, we have to escape to Zolder. Of course, the facilities and the support we are getting there is excellent. Zolder surely is the best possible alternative in that respect.”

18th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors