Mirko Kraus, who was previously responsible for commercial vehicle tyre media and public relations in Goodyear Dunlop’s ‘DACH’ markets – Germany, Austria and Switzerland – has been appointed the company’s new “Communications Manager Commercial PBU Europe, Middle East and Africa.” In his new role, Kraus extends his commercial segment responsibility to Goodyear Dunlop’s entire EMEA region.
At the end of May, tyre manufacture at Dunlop Motorsport’s plant in Birmingham came to an end, with car tyre production transferred to Goodyear Dunlop’s Hanau factory in Germany and motorcycle tyre production to the company’s Montlucon facility in France. While some of the machinery from the Fort Dunlop facility will be shipped to other sites, most will be sold off; the Pelmar Group reports that it has been appointed to dispose of equipment from the plant.
Goodyear Dunlop reports that demand for its winter tyres from Police forces across the UK increase by nearly 30 per cent between 2012 and 2013. The increase suggests there is an increasing appetite for more reliable and predictable performance during winter months according to Kiran Panchal, Goodyear Dunlop Fleet Key Account Manager.
Goodyear Dunlop’s former EMEA region president Arthur de Bok is now CEO and chairman of Dutch medical device company Mediq’s Management Board. He commenced in this role on 1 April. Announcing de Bok’s appointment, chairman of the company’s Supervisory Board, Rob ter Haar, commented that the board and management were “enthusiastic” about him taking the position. “We are convinced that Arthur, with his extensive experience, is the right person to help Mediq respond to this development and extend Mediq’s lead in this field,” he said.
Goodyear has reminded motorists that a tyre’s good label performance only apply when it operates at the correct air pressure. While more than 80 per cent of the company’s EfficientGrip Performance received an ‘A’ rating for wet braking and ‘B’ for rolling resistance, this result would look very different when inflation levels are too low. And then there’s the matter of safety….
The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship 2014 has launched at Donington Park, with a 31-car grid, running entirely to NGTC (Next Generation Touring Car) specifications for the first time. The Goodyear Dunlop Group has extended its partnership with the BTCC, continuing its title sponsorship and exclusive tyre supply. The latest multi-year deal continues Dunlop’s association with the series, started at its inception in 1958. Fast fit network HiQ will continue as Team Championship sponsor.
Goodyear Dunlop has appointed Alexander Bleider to the management of its German operation. Bleider has taken on this new role at Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany GmbH in addition to his current position of director of manufacturing within Goodyear Dunlop’s European consumer products business, which he has held since 2008.
This week Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe is offering the industry a glimpse at the future of tyre technology, exhibiting its “chip-in-tyre” sensor technology at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. As you would expect the technology is designed to enhance the cornering, braking and stability performance of the car. What’s new is the extent to which the Dunlop chip-in-tyre offers direct link between its microchip, the car’s on-board computer and even the increasingly common infotainment screen.
Aviation tyre manufacturer Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited has distanced itself from Goodyear Dunlop’s decision to end motorsport tyre production in the UK later this year. In a short statement, the company points out that it is “in no way connected to Goodyear Dunlop” and clarifies that “there are no changes to the operation of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres.
Goodyear Dunlop says it is “not possible” to retain motorsport tyre production at its current UK location, and therefore this will transfer to plants in France (Montlucon) and Germany (Hanau) later in the year. Nevertheless, upon urging from MP for Erdington Jack Dromey on 5 February, the Prime Minister indicated he’d investigate the matter more closely. He told the House of Commons that I am happy to look carefully at it and see what can be done” in order to “get a good outcome.”
The member of Parliament for Erdington, the constituency when Goodyear Dunlop is based has criticised the “outrageous and irresponsible” way in which the tyre manufacturer has opted to close its Dunlop Motorsport factory in Birmingham. Jack Dromey (Labour) said the closure confirmation came two days after a summit with business secretary Vince Cable.
Dunlop is set to transfer its European motorsport tyre production to plants in France and Germany, following confirmation from the company that there are no viable plans for its manufacturing operation to stay in the UK when the lease for its Erdington home expires on 1 September 2014. The company reports that it has begun consulting with affected employees and Union representatives of the Erdington site. 241 jobs, mainly in the manufacturing part of the operation will be affected, however company representatives told Tyres & Accessories that Dunlop remains committed to motorsport tyre production and as such wants to retain talent – especially in specialist fields such as research and development – wherever possible.
Pending a final decision on where it will relocate when its current Fort Dunlop lease expires, Dunlop Motorsport’s continued presence in Birmingham remains uncertain. MP for Erdington Jack Dromey has urged Goodyear Dunlop to make a decision soon, and to consider the long history the Dunlop name shares with the city and the UK when it does.
Dunlop Motorsport has confirmed it will close its Fort Dunlop tyre production factory in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham. The news follows the announcement last May that the company’s lease would not be renewed and that site was being sold to Jaguar Land Rover. Goodyear Dunlop representatives told Tyres & Accessories that the firm remains committed to the production of motorsport tyres and is still in talks with Birmingham City Council with regards to the possibility of finding another suitable site in the region.
Public prosecutor for the French commune of Amiens, Bernard Farret, reports that management at Goodyear Dunlop Tires France have filed an ‘arbitrary detention and abduction’ complaint following the enforced detainment of two senior managers at its Amiens Nord factory earlier this week. Production manager Michel Dheilly and human resources director Bernard Glaser were held for almost 30 hours and only freed at around 3:30pm Tuesday after police entered the building.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.