Michelin has strengthened its relationship with Rockwell Automation with the signing of a four-year preferred supplier agreement. As per the agreement, Rockwell will supply tyre manufacturing automation and control equipment to Michelin facilities all over the world.
Bridgestone has developed what it calls a “next generation” compound for its Blizzak winter tyres designed to grip like a studded tyre. Called Tube Multicell, it contains thousands of microscopic tubular cells and “bite particles.” Together with other technologies, the Tube Multicell compound is applied in the new Blizzak WS70 in a bid to offer motorists superior handling in Nordic winter conditions.
Avon Tyres has launched the latest in its range of van tyres, the AV11, available now in sizes 215/60R16 C, 205/65R16 C, 215/65R16 C and 235/65R16 C. Standing alongside the AV9, Avon says the new tyre will have an expanded fitment range later in 2012.
Firestone has presented its sponsored Farming Personality of 2011 Award, to celebrity farmer, Adam Henson for his services to the industry. The prize, awarded in conjunction with Farm Business Magazine, was awarded to Henson at a ceremony at the House of Commons. Firestone and Farm Business said the star of BBC1’s Countryfile as a result of the work he has done to bridge the gap from 'farm to fork', in addition to his passion for farming.
Bridgestone Europe has signed an exclusivity agreement to supply tyres to BMW Driving Experience, a programme that provides specialised training programmes to improve driver skills and safety. The tyre manufacturer will fit its tyres to the BMW Driving Experience fleet of BMW 1-Series, 3-Series, X5 and X6 vehicles, in addition to the range of high-performance BMW M models.
From its beginnings in 2006, born out of the OEM electronics powerhouse’s manufacturer diagnostics expertise, Actia reports that its Multi-Diag device has grown to be a leading diagnostic tool. In According to the company, ACTIA Group invented the first diagnostic tool for Renault in 1985 and in 2003, before purchasing Muller BEM. This brought together two global businesses specialising in vehicle electronics and diagnostics garage equipment which forms the basis of the company as it is today. And the latest news is that the firm has released new software for the Multi-Diag device.
Falken has introduced the Azenis FK453CC – a tyre specifically designed to improve the stability, feel and noise of vehicles such as the Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, BMW X6 and Audi Q7, among others in the performance SUV segment.
As what is traditionally known as winter season in Western Europe draws to a close after an unusually mild season, Turkish tyre brand Lassa has issued a series of winter tyre selection tips. As the industry well knows, winter tyres feature a combination of elements designed to equip them for the cold season. Here’s what Lassa is communicating to consumers when it comes to choosing winter rubber:
Pirelli hosted an international conference on safety and the environment at its Milan headquarters on 23 January, during which the company’s chairman, Marco Tronchetti Provera signed a voluntary agreement with the Ministry for the Environment and Land and Sea Protection to reduce the climate impact deriving from activities related to the production and use of its tyres. The conference, attended by minister, Corrado Clini, who also signed the agreement, was entitled “Driving Sustainability: a safe road to the future” and marked Pirelli’s own Sustainability Day.
Towards the end of 2010 Nankang released its first-ever motorcycle tyre, the Roadiac WF-1 radial. The range was developed in partnership with Delticom/Pneubo and is sold exclusively in Europe through Delticom AG web portals, including mytyres.co.uk. According to Nankang, three front wheel and six rear wheel fitments are now available in the Roadiac range.
Want to see a tuned Marangoni Evoque, which is kitted out to run on natural gas and comes fitted with red tyres? Then you’ll want to visit the Reifen 2012 exhibition in Essen, Germany in June. Following the news that the Marangoni Evoque is currently on-tour around the UK and Europe, Tyres & Accessories asked the tyre manufacturer’s Italian communication headquarters if the tyre industry at large is likely to be introduced to the bold outfitting of this modern 4×4 classic.
Tire Review reports that Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has begun moving tyre production equipment out of its Findlay, Ohio, tyre plant. The US magazine reports that late last week the tyre maker was moving the equipment, even as the 1,050 union workers there continued picketing outside of the plant, where they have been locked out since 28 November.
Continental has been awarded top spot in monthly car magazine, evo’s annual tyre test, published in its February edition. The evo performance tyre test, in its third year, measured such performance indicators as wet and dry handling, aquaplaning and braking using 225/40 R18 sized tyres on a range of high-end cars at MIRA. The magazine described Conti’s tyre as giving “an impressively complete performance”.
Hankook Tire says its global sales last year reached record levels. The Korean company’s tyre sales in 2011 amounted to KRW 6.484 trillion (£3.7 billion), a 20.9 per cent year-on-year increase. Yet thanks to steep rises in raw material prices this bumper sales year was not accompanied by a corresponding increase in operating profit – in 2011 this reached KRW 566.3 billion (£325.1 million), a decline of 8.8 per cent on the previous year.
Netherlands based Gaither Europe BV made its debut at Agritechnica 2011 to introduce three new products to the market. Ralph Dubbeldam of Gaither Europe explained: “Gaither has a long standing and successful business association with Trost, one of Europe's leading car parts and equipment suppliers whose clients include a high percentage of agri specialists. We… realised that agriculture could become a new progressive market for us thereby prompting our appearance at the show.”
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