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Vipal: Aiming for the Top Three

Already represented in more than 90 countries, 2006 saw Borrachas Vipal’s exports grow roughly 30 per cent as the retreading materials and repair company took steps to increase its presence in the main European markets. Going forward, Vipal’s willingness to utilise its strong production capacity should not be underestimated. Early indications are the Brazilian company is making headway in its plans to become a top-three player in the European retreading materials market.

The Brazilian retread market, the second largest in the world, covers approximately 8.5 million units, 90 per cent of which are cold retreads. Here, on home turf, Vipal controls a commanding lead in terms of market share, holding roughly 43 per cent. Such a figure is streets ahead of the well-known European market leaders’ South American subsidiaries (Marangoni do Brasil, for example, has a market share of around 6 per cent).

25th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Research Laboratory Dedicated in Honour of Edouard Michelin

It has been a year since the death of then Michelin CEO Edouard Michelin in a tragic boating accident off the coast of France, and Michelin North America has chosen the anniversary to announce the naming of an endowed research laboratory at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research in his honour. Plans for the Edouard Michelin Research Laboratory are well under way with completion expected this autumn.

“Mr. Michelin strongly believed that education and technology could make the world a better place,” said Jim Micali, chairman and president of Michelin North America. “His vision remains a guiding force at Michelin today and is evident in the innovations and advancements that Michelin products deliver to the driving public every day. It is only natural that we establish this research laboratory in memory of Mr. Michelin to honour his passion for innovation and his commitment to excellence.”

24th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Extends DaimlerChrysler Supply

Continental is now equipping further high-class vehicles at DaimlerChrysler with tyres. Germany’s leading tyre manufacturer has recently been awarded the contract to factory fit a share of all models in the new Mercedes- Benz C Class.

Continental supplies ContiPremiumContact 2 and ContiSportContact 3 in sizes 16, 17 and 18 inches to the Mercedes-Benz C Class. The ContiPremiumContact 2 excels with short braking distances, comfortable handling and low rolling resistance, while the ContiSportContact 3 offers superb grip for acceleration and braking.
Continental manufactures the new tyres for Mercedes-Benz in Germany, France, Portugal and the Czech Republic.

22nd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Price Fixing Charges Reveal Rubbery Figures

The European Commission has raided the premises of a number of rubber product manufacturers, including several also involved in tyre production, as part of a global investigation into price fixing practices. Amongst the companies investigated are Japan’s Bridgestone and Yokohama, along with Grimsby based rubber and plastic technology specialist Dunlop Oil & Marine, a division of Germany’s ContiTech AG and Trelleborg Industrie SAS, the French subsidiary of Sweden’s Trelleborg AB.

“I can confirm that yesterday and today Commission officials have undertaken unannounced inspections at premises of several marine hose producers in France, Italy and the United Kingdom,” Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd informed the media. “The Commission coordinated its investigative measures with the United States Department of Justice in the context of a suspected worldwide cartel concerning marine hoses.”

8th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

A Different Approach

(Akron/Tire Review) Possibly the quietest, one of the most accomplished and certainly one of the most respected head of a major tyre company, Jim Micali has also had one of the longest careers, having first joined what is now Michelin North America some 30 years ago as a staff attorney. Micali worked his way up through a number of assignments, including two stints in France, before becoming chairman and president in 1996.

In 2001, Micali was appointed to the Groupe Michelin executive council, and served a term as RMA chairman in 2002. He has also served on the boards of Sonoco and Lafarge North America, and was named distinguished senior fellow in political economy and leadership management at Furman University in 2004, where he is still a guest lecturer. Micali also received the Order of Merit from the French government.

This past December, Micali sat down with Tire Review to discuss legacy and raw material costs and their impact on North American tyre manufacturing and competition, and how MNA is tackling these key issues.

27th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Japanese Retailer to Buy Bankrupt Strauss Chain

(Akron/Tire Review) Automotive News has reported that giant Japanese auto parts, tyres and wheels and vehicle service chain Autobacs Seven plans to buy bankrupt Strauss Discount Auto, based in New Jersey.

The deal is subject to bankruptcy court approval. Strauss has 91 locations in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York City.

Autobacs Seven currently operates some 500 outlets in Japan, Southeast Asia, China, France and the U.S., where is has a 35,000-square-foot mega-store in Stanton, California.

11th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

MWS Enters ‘Seller’s Market’ in Europe

During 2006 Manchester-based MWS Distribution, which supplies the CV market through aftermarket and OEM divisions, launched into Europe with both its established steel range and new Xlite forged alloy products. Reckoning on the current demand for CV wheels trailing behind the rest of the market’s ability to supply, arising from Euro4 demand for new vehicles, managing director John Ellis has is forecasting an increase in sales from Europe up towards 2 million this year. This sales breakthrough came from marketing support with DTI’s Passport to Export, and recruitment since 2005 of French, German and Spanish speakers to the company’s sales staff.

Launching Xlite at last year’s Hanover IAA exhibition, MWS claims it has found OEMs seeking alternative sources for forged alloy wheels. First among these is France’s trailer manufacturer Benalu, which will be trialling Xlite on their new Siderale 78 trailer at Solutrans in Lyon (April 2007).

30th March 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Introduces ‘Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge’

Given the important role played by endurance racing in its competition strategy, Michelin has decided to launch the ‘Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge’. Based on the 2007 Le Mans 24 Hours and the six rounds of the 2007 Le Mans Series, the scheme will see Michelin reward those teams that make the best use of the fuel they consume, expressed as an Energy Performance Index (EPI) calculated after each event.

Prizes will be awarded to the best-performing teams in all four categories (LM P1, LM P2, GT1, GT2). The Energy Performance Index is based on the following parameters:

29th March 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop to ‘Renew’ Passenger Car Product Range

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company may have had a difficult time in the recent past, but the company’s management is irrepressibly optimistic about the future. At the beginning of the year the company won what had become a war of attrition with the United Steelworkers Union in the US – a fight that cost the company approximately $370 million. However, despite the upheaval on the global scale, European president Arthur de Bok told Tyres & Accessories that Goodyear Dunlop is increasingly becoming known for its drive, determination and strong brand portfolio.

Arthur de Bok is not only confident about Goodyear Dunlop’s future, he also is also quick to put the wider ramifications of the strike into perspective. In his words “there has been no impact” on the production and distribution of Goodyear Dunlop products in Europe.
Instead, perhaps representing a wider corporate philosophy, de Bok suggests taking a look at the bigger picture. While the strike face-off cost Goodyear Tire $370 million, the reaction from the stock markets (not to mention various financial analysts) has been uniformly positive. “The world around us sees the progress and drive of Goodyear despite the tough calls we have had to make,” he explained.

23rd March 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New Goodyear Machinery Commences Production Ahead of Schedule

Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Limited has announced that new machinery, designed to improve the productivity and efficiency at their famous Bushbury, Wolverhampton plant, has commenced production ahead of schedule today. On 8 December Goodyear Dunlop announced the investment in new compounding equipment. After an intensive three months of teamwork, the new machinery, known in the industry as a ‘Banbury’ mixer, was unveiled today.

The announcement of the multi-million pound investment in this new machinery gave the team at Wolverhampton the challenge of installation, training and re-engineering to commence its use before the end of March.

15th March 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Keeping Inflated with Nitrogen

Parker Hannifin Process Air and Gas believe that filling a HGV’s tyres using the company’s latest nitrogen generation technology can enable commercial fleet operators to improve the safety of their vehicles while reducing operating costs by a considerable margin.

26th February 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Lodge Coaches First to Fit Michelin X Coach XD

Chelmsford-based Lodge Coaches has become the first operator in the UK to fit Michelin’s new X Coach tyres to a vehicle in its fleet. The X Coach 295/80 R22.5 X Coach XD tyres incorporate elements of Michelin Durable Technologies – the name given to three new patented technologies which have allowed Michelin to develop a self-regenerating tread pattern and to make advances in tyre architecture.

21st February 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Korean Tyres Enjoying Brisk Sales in China

(Akron/Tire Review – Korean Times) South Korea’s two tyre giants, Hankook and Kumho, are leaving huge marks on China’s roads.

Hankook, Korea’s leading tyremaker, has been a dominant player since 2003 in China. Its market share reached 25% last year. That means that one out of every four saloons in the world’s fastest growing economy run on Hankook tyres.

20th February 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

And Finally….Italy’s Homeless Have Their Own ‘Michelin Guide’

(Akron/Tire Review – Reuters) It looks like a guidebook, with its glossy pages, fold-out maps, and tips on where to eat and sleep in Rome. The only difference is that its readers are homeless. The new edition of what its authors have dubbed a “Michelin Guide for the Poor” was presented on Jan. 10 as promoters warned that the ranks of the have-nots in Italy’s capital were growing.

12th January 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Lease New Facility

International distribution facilities provider ProLogis has agreed to acquire a 32-hectare piece of land from Michelin. On this 32-hectare site in Poitiers, France, ProLogis will build a 32,000 square metre (344,000 square foot) facility for Michelin, which will then lease the property as a distribution centre under a long-term agreement. Michelin’s facility will be part of a new 139,000 square metre industrial park owned by ProLogis and said to be valued at approximately US$132 million (£67 million).

3rd January 2007/by Tyrepress Editors