Dirk Reurslag Appointed VMI Vice President Sales & Projects
Dirk Reurslag was appointed as the new vice president sales and projects of VMI effective 16 August 2010. He succeeds Harm Voortman, who has recently been appointed as CEO of the VMI Group.
Tag Archive for: Europe
Bridgestone Expands Electronic Paper Production at Iwata Plant
NewsBridgestone Corporation is to expand its electronic paper operations with the installation of a new production line in its Iwata Plant (Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture). According to the company, the new line will entail an investment of approximately ¥1.0 billion ($11.8 million), and will triple the company's production capacity of electronic paper to 15,000 A3 sheets per month, compared to the current capacity of 5,000 A3 sheets per month. Production at the Iwata line will begin this month.
Bridgestone Announces Cross-Segment European Price Increase
Company NewsBridgestone has announced that it will raise the prices by between 3 and 6 per cent of its consumer, commercial and speciality tyres in Europe during October 2010. Bridgestone Europe CEO and president Makio Ohashi said that “historically high” raw materials prices had necessitated the hike, while “further increases will be necessary in the coming year”.
Hamilton Wins as Tyre Choices Take Priority in Variable Weather
NewsThe impact of the correct tyre choices at the Belgian Grand Prix was underlined by the discrepant fortunes of old team-mates/enemies Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, with the former winning the race and the latter falling victim to poorly timed dry and wet weather tyre fitments. Hamilton used a soft – hard – intermediate tyre strategy throughout an afternoon in which team bosses’ eyes remained on the rain radar. Alonso gambled in qualifying, using up too many fresh soft compound Bridgestone Potenzas. Red Bull’s Mark Webber, an increasingly likely title-challenger, finished second after surviving a terrible start from pole, while Renault’s Robert Kubica finished third, once again underlining his class in a car many believe to be inferior to those of his closest championship rivals, Felipe Massa and Nico Rosberg.
OTR to Promote ‘Tyre Hire’ Scheme at RWM
NewsOTR Tyres Ltd is to exhibit at the Recycling and Waste Management Exhibition (RWM) again this year OTR to promote the benefits of OTR Tyre Hire, a service exclusively designed for the waste management industry in addition to the company’s range of new and retreaded solid, cushion and pneumatic tyres.
Roadsafe: MOT Must Stay Annual
NewsRoadSafe is urging transport minister Mike Penning, to maintain the MOT test as an annual check-up for vehicles. In 2008, the Department for Transport said the MOT failure rate was high, at 35 per cent. Between 2009 and 10, the failure rate continued its steady increase to 37 per cent. Despite this, the DfT is looking into reducing the required frequency of tests to fall in line with Europe.
In the UK, vehicles must have their first test within three years of registration, and annual tests thereafter. As a minimum, EU law requires vehicles to have their first test when they are four years old and subsequent tests every two years. Most European countries follow the EU minimum requirement and there is pressure on the UK to do the same. RoadSafe is warning that this will lead to more crashes, caused by poorly maintained vehicles.
Hankook Prepared for First Appearance at Moscow Auto Salon
NewsHankook Tire says it is excited to announce its first appearance at the Moscow International Automobile Salon. The company’s reports that its exhibition space (booth 430 in hall 12 for those of you planning to visit) has been custom designed for this show and reflects the growing importance of the Russian and CIS markets for the company’s future business strategy.
MWS: Rising Steel Prices to Increase Aluminium Wheel Demand
NewsThe rising cost of steel will result in extra demand for forged aluminium wheels according to Motor Wheel Service (MWS) managing director, John Ellis. Over the last 12 months the price of steel billet has risen from $395 to $475 per tonne, rising as high as $600 per tonne in April 2010, and both the OEM industry and tyre manufacturers have been warned to expect price rises of up to 20 per cent for steel wheels come 1 September 2010. The company believes that when the increase takes effect, the difference between the cost of a steel and a forged aluminium wheel will be at an all time low, making the lighter and traditionally more expensive products a far more attractive proposition for commercial vehicle operators.
Sumo Firenza Offers Broadening Size Range
NewsThe Sumo Firenza brand is continuing on its strategy of being a competitive option within the truck tyre market in both Europe and the UK, according to global distributor Singapore-based Stamford Tyres. In the UK Sumo Firenza truck tyres are exclusively distributed by West Midlands based International Tyres.
Company representatives attribute the brand’s progression to face that its products incorporate Japanese technology and are manufactured in the Far East. In addition Sumo Firenza’s truck tyre portfolio offers a growing size range plus a broadening choice for the Super Singles market.
Pro-Align Joins TyreSafe
NewsWheel alignment equipment supplier Pro-Align has become the latest company to join TyreSafe. Pro-Align will support the industry’s safety awareness group’s ongoing campaigns which raise awareness about the dangers associated with defective and illegal tyres. The company will also provide specialist knowledge and advice relating to wheel alignment issues.
Bridgestone a Volvo Premium Supplier
NewsBridgestone has only now reported that in June it was awarded the prestigious title of Volvo Premium Supplier. The Swedish carmaker’s annual Premium Supplier Awards ceremony has been held for five years and recognises suppliers who book the best measured performance in the areas of quality, safety, environmental performance, cost, logistics and corporate responsibility. Close attention is also paid to the supplier’s capacity to work with Volvo’s teams in the spirit of continuous improvement. A total of nine awards were presented for 2009, including Bridgestone’s – the first ever awarded to a tyre manufacturer. Bridgestone supplier truck and bus tyres to Volvo.
Hankook “Likely” to Choose Indonesia
NewsThe amount Hankook Tire invests in Indonesia could be as much as US$1.2 billion. Gita Wirjawan, chairman of the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board, has been quoted by Indonesian media as saying Hankook has “informed us that they will likely choose Indonesia.” According to the Jakarta based newspaper Bisnis Indonesia, work on the 15 million tyres per annum capacity plant will begin at the end of the year.
Cooper Encourages Staycationers to Inflate Tyres Correctly
NewsCooper Tire Europe has urged motorists to check tyre pressures at least monthly and before long trips, and to refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s handbook for the correct pressure when travelling fully laden, with the trend for overseas holidays down 15 per cent amongst Britons last year. The company suggests the average family car carrying a full family on holiday will have to transport an additional 201kg in passengers and luggage, compared to the typical ‘driver-only’ car journey. Cooper says many do not realise they need to set their tyre pressures to compensate for the additional load being placed on the tyres in order to reduce the risk of accidents and premature tyre wear.
Alcoa Increases Ma’aden, Saudi Arabia Investment
NewsAlcoa is increasing its investment in a partnership it operates with Saudi Arabian mining company Ma’aden. The cooperation is focussed on the development of “the largest, most efficient vertically integrated aluminium complex in the world,” according to the two companies.
Vipal Raises European Retread and Repair Prices 10%
RetreadingBrazilian based retreading and repair material manufacturer Vipal has announced that it is to increase its prices by 10 per cent across the board. The price increase is scheduled to take affect on 1 October 2010. The company says it will make every effort to attend to orders placed before this date, respecting the requirements of all our customers while stocks last.
