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Second Generation BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/AKM2 Launched

With its thick lugs that continue around the sidewall, the BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/AKM range clearly means business in an off-road capacity and now the tyre has been given a second generation for the European market. The new tyre is replacing the BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/AKM, which is both the market leader in the off-road category and the spearhead of the brand in Europe.

BFGoodrich says that the new Mud Terrain T/AKM2 provides off-road drivers with outstanding performance regardless of surface conditions, delivering enhanced strength, damage resistance and grip. It will be available in 16 sizes in 15, 16 and 17 inch diameters for tyre widths from 215 to 305 mm, in 85 to 70 series aspect ratios and with a Q speed symbol. The M+S marking on the sidewalls indicates that the tyre has been approved for use in mud and snow.

3rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Rhein Chemie Compounding Plant Now Fully Operational

Rhein Chemie reports that the new compounding plant build at its Mannheim-Rheinau site in southwest Germany is now in full operation – an event the Lanxess group subsidiary describes as a milestone in the company’s century-plus history. The facility will produce Rhein Chemie’s Rhenogran product line of pre-dispersed, polymer-bound rubber chemicals that are used to in the manufacture of tyres and other rubber items.

2nd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

NDI UK: Any Brand at the Right Price

The relatively recent management changes at NDI UK, the UK division of Nordisk Daek Import A-S of Denmark, have led to the company refocusing on the trading policy that has worked so well for the group’s other international divisions – competing in all market sectors, including earthmover and OTR tyres. According to the company, NDI holds the position of being the largest tyre wholesaler in Scandinavia and can therefore act as a solid base for providing NDI UK with the ability to offer the UK market a multi-brand selection of earthmover and OTR tyres.

Based in Coseley, West Midlands, NDI UK consider themselves to be well positioned to provide a prompt and efficient delivery service throughout the UK. Managing director, Ian Smith commented: “The company prides itself on holding an extensive stockholding of both earthmover and OTR tyre patterns plus we have the added bonus of being able to draw on one of the largest stocks in Europe at our headquarter base in Denmark.

1st July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

H1 Revenues May Dip 35%, Says Titan Europe

Worcestershire based wheel manufacturer Titan Europe Plc has warned that its anticipated revenue for the first half of this year may be 35 per cent lower than a year ago. The company, whose two major shareholders are Mefro Wheels GmbH and Titan International subsidiary Titan Luxembourg Sarl, notes this figure in particular reflects the further weakening its second quarter performance.

“Trading conditions remain difficult with the construction market continuing to be severely hit by the global recession,” stated a June 29 company trading update. “The directors expect by the half-year, based on constant exchange rates, that construction market volumes will be down by about 50 per cent whilst agricultural and mining markets will be down by between 25-30 per cent.

30th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

JLR Recommend Pro-Cut Brake Lathe

Jaguar Land Rover engineering have made the Pro-Cut on-car brake lathe a recommended piece of equipment for their dealerships worldwide, saying that “It eliminates brake noise, removes corrosion and delivers improved braking performance.” Jaguar tested the Pro-Cut 9.0 brake lathe at two service centres, on two separate test cars driven by two different drivers. Pro-Cut Europe demonstrated the system on one brake disc and a Jaguar mechanic completed the job under supervision, before the cars were tested.

The cars, and more importantly the brakes, were put through their paces to determine the effectiveness of the equipment. Both test drivers could not believe the transformation of the vehicles following the demonstration, reporting an 80 per cent increase in efficiency within five stops and more response from the brake pedal.

30th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental to Sell Simex Industrial and Earthmover Tyres

Continental Tyre Group is adding the Simex brand to its offering in the UK and Ireland. In the past, Simex tyres were exclusively marketed through the various national importers in Europe. According to the company, Simex’s premium product is backed by a strong presence in the original equipment sector.

29th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

May Figures Show Continued European Market Decline

The ETRMA reports that in May the overall European replacement tyre market declined for the 14th consecutive month. In terms of segment demand, truck tyre sales between January and May dropped 32 per cent compared with the same period last year, and the ETRMA notes that May’s 24 per cent decline “confirms the strong deterioration of tyre demand.” According to Europool figures, approximately 600,000 truck tyres were sold Europe-wide during the course of the month.

European passenger car tyre sales decreased eight per cent during the January to May period, and decreased nine per cent in May to around 12 million units. The UK market suffered a much greater drop during the month, declining 26 per cent in May.

25th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Predicts Breakeven Net Income

Bridgestone, reports Bloomberg, has reduced its full year prediction to breakeven in line with continuing vehicle sales declines. The manufacturer had previously set its net income forecast at 3 billion yen (£19.1 billion), but in a statement delivered to the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the company suggested that the global recession has driven down demand for new vehicles and with it the need for OE tyres. Therefore the company went through with its May promise to revise its targets, concluding that it will sell fewer units in Japan, Europe and America.

However, cost reduction programmes and declining raw materials prices mean that, for the first half of the year, Bridgestone now predicts a loss of 46 billion yen, 16 billion less than the original forecast of a 62 billion yen loss.

25th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Art Contest Receives Record Entries

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Using this yardstick, Bridgestone has no less than fifty five and a half million safety and environment related words on its hands: the company reports that at least 55,676 European primary school children participated in its “dreams at heArt” children’s drawing contest during 2009, more than 35 per cent more than last year. Children from twenty-five countries – including for the first time the Baltic States, Slovakia and Romania – sent in drawings of their thoughts and aspirations on the theme “Safe Travel in a Greener World”.

22nd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Opens Thai Automotive Factory

A new facility belonging to Continental AG subsidiary Continental Automotive (Thailand) has opened in Amata City. The 11,500 square metre factory, built with an investment of approximately five billion baht (£90.2 million), will produce powertrain diesel injectors, high pressure pumps and common rail assemblies. The production of interior electronics is also planned.

While around 70 per cent of total output will ultimately go to domestic vehicle manufacturers – the factory will start supplying the Thai market next year – the first exports to Europe, China and India are expected to get underway before the end of June.

22nd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Production Figures Show Benefit of Scrappage Schemes

Car production in the UK dropped 43.0 per cent to 67,754 units during May, the smallest year on year decline during 2009 so far. And while the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders comments that the outlook remains difficult, the trade association believes positive signs are evident as manufacturers restart production following the implementation of scrappage schemes. Commercial vehicle production, on the other hand, plummeted 73.5 per cent to 4,692 units – the largest monthly drop this year.

“Prompt action by manufacturers to realign supply with demand has been painful, but was necessary,” stated SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. “There is now a direct link between demand in the marketplace and production volumes,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “The scrappage schemes in place across Europe are now beginning to have a positive impact, although the full benefits will take a little longer to flow down to companies at all levels in the supply chain.

22nd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Tire Continues University Robotics Project

This year Hankook Tire is again supporting the Technical University of Kaiserlautern’s Robotics Research Lab. The lab, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Karsten Berns, has devoted itself to the development of working, autonomous un-manned robots that can be implemented, for example, by emergency services in crisis situations. In 2009 the German university’s ‘RAVON’ robot – fitted with Hankook tyres – is taking part in the ELROB (European Land-Robot Trial – Civil Version), held between June 15 and 18 in Oulu, Finnland. The purpose of the event, held every two years, is to demonstrate the current European state of the art in unmanned vehicles and the possibilities this offers.

16th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

The Delivery Company Wins RMA Green Fleet Award

The Delivery Company has confirmed its credentials as an environmentally-friendly company by scooping the Green Fleet Award presented by the Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA). The Award was presented to Douglas Wright of the Delivery Company by RMA Director David Wilson at the Rubber Industry Dinner held Chesford Grange in Kenilworth on 15 May. The Green Fleet of the Year Award is presented by the RMA to recognise fleets who have been particularly supportive to the retreading industry.

The Delivery Company is a trading division of PaperlinX Services (Europe) Ltd) and has a fleet of 350 vehicles operating throughout the UK delivering paper, board and plastics. As part of an initiative to reduce their carbon footprint, the Delivery Company not only adopted a managed, new and remould, tyre policy, they also introduced a number of other actions aimed at reducing emissions.

15th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Opens Door to Earthmover Tyre Test Centre

Around 140 earthmover dealers converged upon the Spanish provincial capital Almeria in early June. And while the port city’s mild climate is perfect for year-round swimming and its architecture conveys a strong Moroccan flavour, the assembled party were not in town for a short sightseeing holiday – Almeria is also home to the Michelin Technology Center, the world’s largest facility devoted exclusively to the development of earthmover tyres. And awaiting the European dealer continent was an assortment of equipment ready for hands-on testing.

12th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Expands Drift Tyre Size Range

Maxxis has announced that its speciality drifting and track racing tyre, the MA-Z1 Drift, is now in stock in an expanded range of sizes. The tyre has been praised by Maxxis-sponsored professional drift driver Declan Hicks, who declared the difference between the specialist drift tyre and standard road tyres to be “quite astounding”. E-marked and fully street legal, it is now available in the following sizes:

•195/45 R16 MAZ1 DRIFT 84V XL
•195/50 R15 MAZ1 DRIFT 86V XL
•205/40 ZR17 MAZ1 DRIFT 84W XL
•225/40 ZR18 MAZ1 DRIFT 92W XL
•225/45 ZR17 MAZ1 DRIFT 94W XL
•235/35 ZR19 MAZ1 DRIFT 91W XL
•235/40 ZR18 MAZ1 DRIFT 95W XL
•245/40 ZR17 MAZ1 DRIFT 95W XL
•245/40 ZR18 MAZ1 DRIFT 97W XL
•255/35 ZR18 MAZ1 DRIFT 94W XL

9th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors