In its pre-Budget submission to the Chancellor the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has urged Chancellor to go further than freezing fuel duty and to cut it by three pence per litre. FTA has asked George Osborne who will deliver the 2014 Budget statement on 19 March, to maintain its commitment and consider the economic benefits […]
Rubber and plastics manufacturer Styron announced today that Solution Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SSBR) capacity at one of its production lines will double after the company reached an agreement with material supplier JSR to acquire its current production capacity rights. JSR currently holds capacity rights to 50 per cent of one production line at Styron’s facility in Schkopau, Germany, however under the agreement Styron will regain full capacity rights as of 1 April 2014.
The Hankook Masters Programme was launched in the UK at the end of 2012 and enjoys ongoing growth. To facilitate the scheme’s continued expansion, Hankook Tyre UK has appointed Nick Maltby its franchise development manager. Maltby brings over 30 years of tyre trade experience, gained through senior positions at large independent retailers, into his new role. He joins existing franchise manager Ben Francis in the development of the Hankook Masters Programme.
OK so the fact that China is the world’s largest tyre producer, the largest car maker, has the largest population and is likely to be the largest economy soon means that it is massively premature to write off the People’s Republic. Rapid growth and the huge scale of Brazil, Russia and India means these markets are still should be the focus of much attention. However, many international businesses have already latched onto this. So if everyone is competing for what they perceive as the same low-hanging fruit other opportunities could be going missing…or at least that is the question that is being raised in banking circles.
Hercules Tire has introduced the Hercules H-801 all-position premium highway tyre. The newest addition to the Hercules H-Series line of medium truck tyres, the next generation H-801 excels in regional steer applications, delivering exceptional treadwear and superior handling capabilities.
Yulex Corporation is opening a Seed & Genetics Center focused the development of guayule plantations and best practice for all kinds of applications. According to the company, Yulex’s Seed & Genetics Center will support the global commercial development of guayule. Additional research activities at the Center involve the refinement of sustainable production techniques designed to improve guayule’s rubber yield and quality through natural processes, with a focus on soil management and natural crop production inputs.
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has appointed Stephen Ray as its new financial director. He replaces Oliver Burns who worked at the company for six years. Before moving to Dunlop, Stephen Ray spent 13 years at LINPAC Group, a producer of plastic packaging for the retail, catering, manufacturing, packing and food sectors.
On 17 January, the board of Hankook Tire resolved to invest KRW 380.2 billion (£215.7) in the second stage expansion of the company’s factory in Indonesia. In a statement filed with the Korea Exchange (KRX), the tyre maker said the period of investment would extend until the end of 2015 and involve an 11.8 per cent ratio to equity capital.
Sustainable materials company Lehigh Technologies Inc. has strengthened its research and development capabilities by investing in new mixing and analytical equipment for its Application and Development Center (ADC) and through the appointment of Chad Jasiunas as technical manager for functional materials. This expansion enables Lehigh to further promote the adoption of its sustainable micronised rubber powder (MRP) material in green tyre applications.
Starting 1 January 2014, Thorsten A. Bublitz is supervising the international expansion of all agricultural activities within Continental’s Commercial Specialty Tires business unit in his new role as business line manager agro. In this position he reports to business unit managing director Dr. Michael Maertens.
Canada’s Pneus Supérieurs and OK Tire Stores have entered into a strategic alliance that creates one of the largest networks of tyre and automotive service dealers in the country. Under the agreement, Pneus Supérieurs will join OK Tire Store’s network of independent dealers as an associate member and shareholder.
Hankook Tire chief operating officer Europe and member of the board of directors, Jin-Wook Choi will leave his current position following 38 years with the company. Choi will take on a new consultancy role in the manufacturer’s global headquarters, having served more than thirteen years at top management positions around the world.
In November Triangle announced that it is building its fifth plant in Weihai, Shandong Province, China. The news, which was first revealed at the SEMA show in Las Vegas in early November, followed renewed speculation about whether or not the company was planning to build a Russian factory earlier this year. This plans suggestions were denied by managers. However Triangle is internationalising fast and has been operating sales operations in dozens of countries for decades now, Weihai is really the company’s home.
Around US$63 million is to be invested in Bridgestone’s Camaçari tyre plant in Brazil in order to increase capacity for manufacturing passenger car and light truck radials there. Work to expand the factory is expected to be completed in time for a start of increased production in May 2015, and from that date the Camaçari plant will be equipped to deliver an additional 2,100 tyres a day, giving the facility a total production capacity in excess of 10,000 tyres a day. Almost 100 new jobs will be created at the site in Bahia state as a result of the expansion.
Expansion work on Yokohama Rubber’s ‘TireTestCenter of Asia’ is complete. The company reported on 16 December that a ceremony marking the conclusion of related construction was held at the site on 9 October. The expansion adds four new test courses – a 2.5-kilometre dry-test course and a 1.5-kilometre wet-test course for handling tests, a skid pad and a corner hydroplaning test road. Yokohama says the proving ground expansion enables it to conduct complete tests of its tyres’ handling and vibration performance.
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