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TIF Challenges Decision to Drop Used Tyre Statutory Reporting

In response to Defra’s second consultation document on waste controls, the Tyre Industry Federation (TIF) is urging the government to reconsider its decision to drop its proposal for statutory reporting for used tyre disposal. The government floated the idea of introducing statutory reporting for used tyre recovery in 2005, before elaborating in more detail in its first consultation document on waste controls last year. In its second document the government reported that only 10 out of the 35 responses referring to this proposal supported it.

TIF points out that is was amongst those in favour. The government went on to say that enhanced reporting requirements would represent an additional cost to businesses and it considered that the limited effect that the requirements would have on levels of fly-tipped tyres would not outweigh the additional burden to businesses. In commenting on its stance John Dorken, Secretary of the Federation, said: “It is ridiculous for the government to have rejected the proposal on the grounds that the burden to the industry outweighed the benefits when the TIF, as the voice of the whole industry, has strongly supported it.”

1st October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Announces Further Investment in Romania

Pirelli’s sees its new industrial centre in Romania’s automotive sector as strategic for the company’s future growth in the emerging East European markets. The company’s position in Romania is now set to grow further in coming years following the announcement of new investments to the value of 250 million euros. The chairman of Pirelli & C. SpA, Marco Tronchetti Provera, made the announcement to Romanian Prime Minister, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, during a meeting held in Bucharest on September 29, at which the Group’s activities in the country were discussed.

30th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Five Firestone Locations Named Green Businesses

The Automotive Service Association of Arizona has certified five Firestone Complete Auto Care lcoations as “green shops” through its voluntary Green Business Automotive Program, administered in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

In order to qualify, shops must meet requirements in two areas: pollution prevention and resource conservation. According to the ASA program guidelines, green shops have “found reasonable and cost-effective ways to protect our environment and conserve resources. These facilities go beyond the government environmental regulations all automotive repair facilities must meet.”

29th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Possible Site for New Ceat Plant Named

According to an unnamed government official, India’s Ceat Ltd is considering the northeastern state of Gujarat as the location for its new LCV and truck radial facility. The Thaindian news reports the source as saying the company will invest RS 5 billion (£57.76 million) in building the facility, however Ceat has not confirmed any such detail.

29th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Credit Crunch Impacting Tyre Sales

With new car registrations at a historic low point, new evidence suggests money conscious consumers are cutting corners when it comes to tyres. According to a report released by independent tyre dealer network Protyre, there is mounting evidence that motorists are delaying replacing worn and defective tyres. This false economy is putting drivers, passengers and other road users in danger of an accident or the potential for prosecution.

Protyre’s survey reveals that over three quarters of motorists visiting their 31 outlets had at least one defective or badly worn tyre, up dramatically on a year ago. Protyre technicians have also discovered that drivers of family cars seem to be more responsible than owners of premium vehicles, with a lower percentage of family cars having more than one defective tyre compared with premium models – the cars usually fitted with lower profile tyres.

25th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Smuggled Tyres Putting the Squeeze on Indonesian Manufacturers

Domestic tyre sales in the Indonesian market dropped four per cent during August, allegedly the result of a market saturated with cheaper tyres smuggled from China and India. According to Indonesian Tire Producers Association chairman Aziz Pane, illegal tyres have been entering the Indonesian market since July and are making life difficult for the producers of their local counterparts.

“Illegally imported tyres, in the hundreds of thousands, have partly taken over the domestic market,” Pane told the Jakarta Post. “Local tyre producers sold 3.7 million tires in August, down from 3.89 million in July.” According to the association, tyres produced in China and India are sold in Indonesia for between 10 to 30 per cent less than locally made tyres.

23rd September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bangladesh to Double Rubber Output by 2020

Industry professionals in Bangladesh say that the country has targeted a doubling of rubber production over the next decade, in order to meet potential export figures. The current capacity stands at 30,000 tonnes, though at present the estimate for 2008 stands at 16,000 tonnes from the 1,300 nationwide rubber gardens.

Local news sources report that the country’s commerce adviser, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said on Monday that Bangladesh had started to trade rubber with Turkey, which is trying to get certificate for Bangladesh’s rubber from Bridgestone. “Bridgestone’s certification may take the Bangladeshi rubber industry to a new height,” claimed Hossain Zillur.

12th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Thai Port Strike Hits Rubber Shipments

In Thailand, a railway and port strike is hitting the country’s rubber shipments, leading to foreign traders shifting their rubber import sources to Malaysia and Indonesia, say local exporters.

Union members with the State Railway of Thailand started their strike, held in sympathy with anti-government protesters, on 28 August, while Port Authority of Thailand union members brought Klong Toey port in Bangkok to a standstill on Wednesday 3 September. It reopened late on Friday 5, though activity has not yet reached its pre-strike levels.
The total cost and damage of the strike action has yet to be estimated.

12th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

General Tyre Tanzania Plant at a ‘Crossroads’

International News

The fate of General Tyre Tazania is still hanging in the balance, having closed in April last year. Local newspapers are reports that the government is not likely to bail it out unless the last investor, Continental Tyres, accounts “for the $10 million it was advanced in 2002 to revive production.”

9th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Car Registrations Lowest Since 1966

New car registrations fell through the floor in August to their lowest level since 1966. The news prompted the SMMT to call on government to kick-start consumer confidence. “August is one of the quietest months for the new car market, but this year it was the lowest since 1966 with only 63,225 registrations,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.

4th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Factory Lockout Over

The lockout at the Apollo Tyres facility in the Indian state of Kerala is reportedly over, with employees resuming work as of September 3. Troubles at the company’s Perambra cross-ply truck and bus tyre factory began on August 16 following a strike staged by workers two days earlier. Apollo, who experienced a daily production loss of Rs 50 million (£618,000) as a result of the lockout, had earlier requested local government intervention to resolve the standoff.

3rd September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

World Bank's Corporation Offers Petlas US$250 million Loan

International News

International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has reportedly offered loan support of up to US$250 million dollars to Turkish tyre manufacturer Petlas. According to the Anatolia news agency, the first step is an 80-million-dollar loan for Petlas, apparently the only tyre plant manufacturing military tyres in Turkey. Semra Guler, finance director of Abdulkadir Ozcan Otomotiv A.S, told the news agency the financing would help Petlas upgrade technology, expand product range and manufacture eco-friendly tyres.

2nd September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Acknowledged For Supply to US Military

Two Michelin North America divisions have been acknowledged by the US military for their tyre quality and delivery service. The Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC) awarded Michelin Americas Truck Tires (MATT) and Michelin Aircraft Tire Co. (MATC) Best Value Medal silver awards August 26.

Michelin is one of 89 companies among the DSCC’s 82,000 suppliers to receive the military’s Best Value Medal. The military’s Best Value Medal is awarded to companies that have demonstrated exceptional quality and delivery performance as measured by the Automated Best Value System (ABVS), a computerised system that collects a vendor’s past performance data and translates it into a numeric score ranging from zero to a perfect 100.

1st September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Training Receives Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ Rating

The multi-million pound staff training programme operated by Kwik-Fit has been described as ‘outstanding’ following an inspection by Ofsted – the Government’s Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. At present Kwik-Fit’s annual training budget totals more than £3 million, and the glowing report the company received places it in the top five to ten per cent for corporate training provision in the UK.

28th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

MRF Flying High with New Aviation Tyre

Indian tyre manufacturer MRF is preparing to unveil its latest development, becoming the first company in the field from the country to produce an aviation tyre for defence aircraft.

News sources report that MRF chairman and managing director K.K. Mammen stated on Thursday that, “The company’s tyre for Chetak helicopter has got the airworthiness certificate and negotiations are on for rolling out tyres for other defence aircraft.” Mammen also expressed the company’s hope that the government would partly fund the initiative, saying that the company would look to make aviation tyres at its Arokkonam facility near Chennai.

28th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors