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A Compound to Suit Your Winter

Since its inception in 1972 Interstate Tires has expanded rapidly and now represents a group of five companies, selling tyres under its own ‘Interstate’ brand name. Headquartered in Delft, the Netherlands, Interstate offers worldwide distribution and operates warehouses both in Europe and China, simplifying the delivery process for their customers as much as possible. Tyres can be shipped to every major port, with from the port truck or train transport also arranged by Interstate if required. A sign of the company’s popularity as a tyre supplier can be witnessed by the company’s positive sales figures, growth Interstate claims consistently outpaces that of the tyre market.

Interstate’s range of exclusive brand winter tyres for the 2007 season is called the Interstate Winter IWT-2. Produced in China to a European design and intended for European conditions, each tyre in the Winter IWT-2 line-up is E-marked, ISO certified, ETRTO, TüV and DOT approved. To maximise the range’s Europe-wide appeal Interstate will release the Winter IWT-2 in two silica compound variations, a softer compound for Nordic regions and a firmer ‘West European’ compound more suited to UK driving.

21st August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Winter Tyre Test Specialist Appoints New MD

Test World, the independent winter tyre testing facility located in the brisk northerly reaches of Ivalo in Finnish Lapland, has a new managing director. Following the retirement of incumbent managing director Timo Mäkelä on August 1, deputy managing director Harri Eskelinen has filled his snow shoes.

The company performs an invaluable service for Europe’s tyre manufacturers. Tyre World’s extreme northerly location ensures frigid weather for a large chunk of the year – the test season begins in late October and runs until the end of April – making Ivalo a much sought after location for putting winter tyres through their paces. The testing specialist has developed track maintenance techniques that permit invariable conditions for the duration of tyre tests, and can conduct tests in all conditions likely to be encountered, including snow, slush, wet and dry surfaces. During 2007 the company is also launching a brand new indoors test facility that will be used for performing approval tests conforming to ECE norms.

20th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conferences to Help Business with an Eye on Eastern Europe

It is no secret that Russia and Eastern Europe hold much potential for global automakers, and also for those in the tyre and related industries. However it is essential that overseas operators enter these markets with their eyes open, and sometimes businesses need all the help they can get to fully grasp the intricacies of doing business in an environment so different from their home market. Conferences and forums provide a valuable venue in which to obtain this much needed information.

The third annual AutoRussia conference, an international forum for companies participating in the automotive business in Russia or globally, is scheduled to take place on December 4 and 5 at the Astoria Hotel in St Petersburg. More than 300 senior representatives; leading figures in Russia’s automotive manufacturing sector, including leading OEM projects in the St Petersburg area, as well as senior representatives from auto OEMs and T1s around the world, will meet at the conference to discuss their current projects and future plans.

17th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Carbon Black Producer to Invest in Europe and Asia

Carbon black producer Columbian Chemicals has announced two key projects it intends to carry out in Europe and Asia. A cogeneration facility is planned for the company’s Trecate Plant in San Martino di Trecate, Italy. This unit will generate up to 15 megawatts of power. And in China production capacity at Columbian Chemicals’ Weifang facility will be expanded to 70,000 tonnes per year. The increased production capacity will be accomplished with the addition of one carcass line and debottlenecking the existing tread line.

“Growing the business in Asia is a key part of our long-term strategy, and success in Weifang is a very important start,” said JS Lee, Columbian Chemicals’ president and CEO. “The cogeneration facility is in line with our long-term operational strategy as well. We are committed to controlling costs, and conservation of energy is a significant part of that strategy.” At present the company is engaged in preliminary engineering work and acquiring long-delivery equipment for the Weifang project, and construction work is expected to be completed in August 2008.

16th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Rösler Group Grants Another SPR License

The Rösler Group from Germany, suppliers of the Schelkmann pre-cure retreading system, claim global technological leadership with regards to the retreading of OTR tyres, in particular with regards to giant tyres. Immediately after Rösler closed a contract with an Indonesian mining company in April this year, the German group also sold a SPR license (Schelkmann Pre-cured Retreads) to yet another mining company. Recently the company also installed a new and exclusive Schelkmann retreading facility in Uzbekistan.

The license holder has just finished construction work on the workshop building, says Klaus Mühlbäck, vice president of the Rösler Group (and in this position responsible for the group’s international business) in an interview with Tyres & Accessories. All of the retreading equipment for the facility was produced in Europe and is already on its way to Uzbekistan. It will be installed there from September onwards; according to this time schedule production in the new retreading factory will start in December. The recipient firm, the newly licensed Kyselkumshina mining company, has even ordered two autoclavs – one for the retreading of small OTR tyres ranging from 25 to 33 inches and one for giant OTR tyres ranging from 49 to 57 inches. Therefore this retreading facility will be able to retread tyres of sizes up to 40.00 R57. All tyres retreaded by Kyselkumshina will be used in its own mines.

16th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear to Build New Factories in Asia, Eastern Europe

On August 15 Goodyear made mention of plans to build new tyre factories in Asia and Eastern Europe in addition to expanding capacity at existing facilities. These new additions come as part of the tyremaker’s plans to increase global capacity for high margin tyre lines by 40 per cent and capacity in existing low-cost facilities by a third. According to Goodyear, these new plants and increased capacity will be instrumental in company plans to source half its global tyre production from low-cost countries by 2012.

The US tyre major also plans to inject funds into its facilities in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Gadsden, Alabama, to increase their capacity for producing higher-margin tyre lines.

16th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Beru Registers Slight Revenue Growth in H1 2007

German vehicle engine technology and TPMS producer Beru Aktiengesellschaft has reported sales revenues of 224.2 million euros in the first half of 2007, despite what it calls ‘unfavourable market conditions.’ This first half sales figure was reflected slight sales growth, being 0.5 per cent higher than the 223.0 million euros achieved in the first half of 2006. The company credits strong growth in its Electronics and Sensor Technology and Ignition Technology divisions for the latest results.

Half year operating profit (EBIT) of 24.4 million euros represents an operating margin of 10.9 per cent, lower than the H1 2006 EBIT of 30.9 million euros and EBIT margin of 13.9 per cent. Net profit for the period amounted to 18.5 million euros, slightly lower than last year (20.8 million euros). First half earnings per share amounted to 1.80 euros, down from 2.06 euros in H1 2006.

Beru reports an expanding OE auto industry during the first half of the year and sales in this segment increasing by 3.0 per cent to 154.5 million euros. Sales revenues in the high-margin aftermarket segment decreased by 4.7 per cent to 56.3 million euros, an occurrence attributed to mild winter weather in the first quarter of the year. Although sales revenues stabilised in the second quarter of 2007, they were still lower than projected.

14th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Steve Cundy to Head Cooper Passenger Car Division

Steve Cundy, European Business Development Director, has been named the new head of Cooper Tire’s UK passenger car sales team. Cundy, a veteran of 36 years, first with Avon Tyres and then with Cooper Tire Europe, will have overall responsibility for Avon and Cooper brand replacement tyre sales for the sector. The new role will be in addition to Steve’s existing European Business Development, OE and Private Brand responsibilities.

Two other long-serving Cooper men will report directly to Steve Cundy in his new role. They are National Accounts Director, Ian Daniels, who has been with the company for 19 years, and Jason Clarke, UK Sales Manager for Regional Accounts, who has notched up nine years of service.

Cooper’s National Accounts team will also receive some new blood in the shape of James Steventon and Adrian Aynsley, who have joined as National Accounts Managers.

13th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

No-Nonsense

‘No-nonsense rubber’ is a catchphrase adopted by Maxxis in the UK a short time ago, and given the company’s plans to expand the profile of its passenger car and light commercial lines here through its new Centres of Excellence program, it appears that Maxxis are taking a no-nonsense approach to giving their brand the same level of recognition in mainstream tyre segments as it currently enjoys with motorcycle and atv users.

This year the Taiwan based tyremaker brings to the table five tyres featuring tread and compound specifically designed for winter conditions. For passenger car drivers Maxxis has the MA-W1 Wintermaxx, a high performance tyre the manufacturer claims both offers a quiet ride and comes into its own in snowy weather. The tread is a unidirectional design featuring a zigzag pattern with multiple grooves for effective water drainage and snow removal. In keeping with winter tyre practice the footprint on the MA-W1 been optimised for as sure footed a ride and braking as possible on wet, icy or snow covered roads. The MA-W1 is available in many size configurations from 13-inches up to a V rated 17-inch variation.

9th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone H1 Results Highlight Across the Board Growth

On August 9 Bridgestone released its consolidated business and financial results for the January 1 – June 30 period. Net sales during this half year, at 1615.6 billion yen (£6.69 billion), were up 13 per cent on last year, an increase partially brought about through an exchange gain on the weaker Japanese yen. Operating income increased 21 per cent from 84.1 billion yen (£348 million) to 102 billion yen (£422.16 million) and ordinary income increased 29 per cent to 91.3 billion (£377.88). Net income, at 52.9 billion yen, was 61 per cent higher than a year earlier.

Operating income from the sale of tyres increased 30 per cent to 70 billion yen (£290 million) on a 15 per cent increase in sales, to 1304.7 billion yen (£5.4 billion). Bridgestone states that it sought to maximise tyre sales momentum through the ongoing introduction of new products worldwide, while at the same time expanding strategic production sites in support of products that have been identified as important to the company’s growth.

9th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Chosen as ‘Technical Partner’ For Eibach Springs UK

Toyo Tyre UK has announced that the company has been chosen as an official ‘Technical Partner’ of Eibach UK, the leading suspension manufacturer. Eibach are well known in the Tuning, OE and Motorsports markets as brand leaders and are in the enviable position of being approved suppliers to many of the World’s leading automotive brands.

Having assessed and tested many other leading tyre brands, Eibach UK chose Toyo for it’s “superior balance, performance and predictability on the limit,” according to a company statement.

With immediate effect, the deal will see all Eibach UK demo and project cars rolling on a range of Toyo products including the Proxes T1-R and Proxes R888. Naturally, many Toyo project and staff cars will also run a range of Eibach products to improve their handling and appearance.

8th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Vigorous International Trading Forecast for Tyrexpo Asia Exhibition

Organisers of next month’s Tyrexpo Asia exhibition are predicting “exceptional” levels of international trading as thousands of tyre industry buyers head for the Singapore Expo Centre searching for new products, ideas and technology that will add value to their businesses. Awaiting them will be a record number of exhibitors for the sixth Tyrexpo Asia show. More than 140 companies representing four continents and 23 individual countries will be there to meet the expected demand.

“There is a great sense of anticipation and an eagerness to be involved in this show; a real buzz that exceeds anything experienced in the 10 years we’ve staged the exhibition in Singapore,” confirmed Rowena Suthers, sales director for show organiser ECI International.

7th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Overview: Qingdao Doublestar Tire Industrial

International News

The Qingdao Doublestar Tire Industrial Co., Ltd., which is based in Qingdao (Shandong province), is one of several Chinese tyre manufacturers undergoing strong expansion. The company was founded in 1996 and belongs to the Double Star group that mainly produces the Doublestar brand, but also a secondary brand called Huaqing.

6th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Overview: Aeolus Tyre

The Aeolus Tyre Co. Ltd., which was founded in 1965, is well known in Europe for its truck and OTR tyre brands Aeolus and Henan. The company operates production facilities in the city of Jiaozuo (Henan province) and produces about 2.7 million tyres per annum. In 2005 Aeolus generated an annual turnover of about 420 million euros, and according to company publications by last year turnover had already increased to 520 million euros. In total, Aeolus can produce tyres of 416 specifications and is currently investing in the expansion of its production capacities of 1.2 million units per year. In addition to this, chairman of the board Cao Chaoyang has recently announced that Aeolus will build another tyre factory in which the company plans to produce 5 to 6 million passenger car radial tyres from 2008. Last year the company sold its products in 140 different countries.

Since the end of 2003 Aeolus Tyre Co. Ltd. has been partly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. A legal dispute between Michelin and Aeolus with regards to the infringement of design rights has been settled.

3rd August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Avon Shows Appreciation to Race Marshals

The tireless work of motorsport marshals, the unpaid and often unsung behind the scenes workers at motor racing events, has been acknowledged by Avon tyres and MotorSport Vision Racing. Marshals in possession of a MSVR membership card are now entitled to a 15 per cent discount on any new set of Avon Tyres purchased from a National Tyres outlet. Discounts on other services offered by National Tyres are also available as part of the programme.

“Those of us lucky enough to race cars are indebted to the unpaid work these people do,” explained Julian Baldwin, managing director of Cooper Tire Europe and head of Avon Tyres motorsport. “Not only are they on hand should you run out of talent on a corner, or come to some other mishap, but if they weren’t out there in their familiar orange suits, we wouldn’t have racing cars lining up on the grid at all! That’s why Avon is happy to be giving something back to motorsport’s backroom boys and girls.”

During every racing season more than 2,200 people from around the UK volunteer to marshal at various motor racing events.

1st August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors