government Archives - Page 59 of 77

Russian Tyre Giant to Increase Output

The Russian Tatneft consortium, whose petrochemical division includes the companies Nizhnekamskshina, Tatneft Neftekhimsnab and Kama Trading House (formerly known as Kamskhina) has told the regional government in Tatarstan that it anticipates the three tyremakers’ combined output will increase to 21 million tyres. This increased production will bring about a small rise in Tatneft’s Russian market share, from 22 to 23 per cent.

Nizhnekamskshina will reportedly also invest 3 billion roubles (£58 million) in the modernisation of its manufacturing facilities by 2009. This upgrade will see total tyre production at the facility in question rise from its current 5 million units per annum to 8 or 9 million, with radial production increasing to 3 million units. In 2006 the company produced 12.206 million tyres, with this figure expected to slightly rise to 12.235 million in 2007.

7th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kazakhstan to Build Premium Tyre Factory

Product News

Kazakhstan has expressed its ambition to become a tyre industry player. The national government, the Astana Akimat, has signed a memorandum giving the go-ahead to build a new tyre manufacturing facility under the country’s “Kazakh Tyres’ Industry Sector Development” investment project. The memorandum was signed by numerous government officials.

According to Kazakhstan news agency Kazinform, the proposed factory will specialise in the production of premium car tyres, and will have an annual capacity of four million units. Approximately US$200 million is being invested in the project that will be located in the Astana Industrial Park, near where Nissan reportedly recently agreed to establish a manufacturing facility.

5th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Production for Make Benefit of Kazakhstan

Product News

Kazakhstan, a country perhaps best known through the talents of UK film and television personality Sacha Baron Cohen, has expressed its ambition to become a tyre industry player. The national government, the Astana Akimat, has signed a memorandum giving the go-ahead to build a new tyre manufacturing facility under the country’s “Kazakh Tyres’ Industry Sector Development” investment project. The memorandum was signed by numerous government officials.

According to Kazakhstan news agency Kazinform, the proposed factory will specialise in the production of premium car tyres, and will have an annual capacity of four million units. Approximately US$200 million is being invested in the project that will be located in the Astana Industrial Park, near where Nissan reportedly recently agreed to establish a manufacturing facility.

5th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Study Suggests Many Second Hand Tyres Unfit for Re-Sale

Product News

According to the results of a regional study a high proportion of the partially worn second hand tyres sold in the UK each year fail to meet current safety standards, and if this study is representative of the nationwide situation as many as 600,000 of these unsafe tyres may be on sale throughout the UK each year.

A recent survey of suppliers conducted by the Lincolnshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service, with support from TyreSafe, revealed that some 30 per cent of the inspected part worn tyres were found to possess serious defects that could pose a safety risk when fitted to a vehicle. Much of the damage found by the Trading Standards Service was of a type not detectable by visual inspection and included unsafe repairs, damage to the tyre’s bead area that reduced its ability to maintain pressure whilst on the rim, and tyres possessing structural damaged caused through being run in when deflated. The thoroughness of the examination each tyre receives before being sold has also been called into question, as have been the qualifications and ability of the examiners whose job it is to identify faults.

5th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Sri Lanka Imposes New Import Duty System for Tyres

News

A recent Government move to end revenue losses amounting to several billions of rupees as a result of under-invoicing by some unscrupulous importers of tyres, has been welcomed by local industry and legitimate importers, the Sri Lanka Daily News reported. Effective from 15 May 15, importers of tyres are required to pay a tyre weight based duty of 80 rupees per kg or 28 per cent of invoiced value, whichever is higher. Previously, duty was computed at 28 per cent of value only. Local manufacturers also see the system as fairer. Such businesses have experienced hikes of 72 per cent in fuel prices since April 2006, and a 25 per cent increase in electricity costs.

1st June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

“ESC Saves Lives!”

Premium, Product News

According to the European Commission Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry, every year more than 40,000 people die and over one million are injured in motor vehicle accidents within the European Union, with loss of vehicle control identified as the main cause of accidents involving serious injury or death. As a result the European Commission is putting its weight behind a campaign to highlight the necessity to fit vehicles with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems, launching a Europe-wide ‘Choose ESC!’ campaign at the Bridgestone European Testing ground near Rome on 8th May 2007.

Commission vice-president Günter Verheugen, Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry Policy, said: “The benefits of ESC are undisputed. In line with the CARS 21 programme, we are preparing the obligatory installation of ESC into new passenger cars via international harmonisation. Until it becomes mandatory, the voluntary choice of ESC is more than welcome.” The CARS 21 group, established in 2005 and comprised of experts from industry, government and other leading groups, has adopted a 10-year “roadmap” to make the EU’s car industry cleaner, safer and more competitive through the adoption of applicable legislation.

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30th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Marks China Milestone

Product News

Mid-May saw Hankook Tire reach an important milestone, with the company celebrating the 10th anniversary of the opening of its Huai’an factory in China’s Jiangsu Province. Government officials, including Mr. Ding Jieming, Part Secretary of Huaian government, Jiangsu province and Mr. fan Jinglong, Mayor of Huaian joined senior Hankook officials including company CEO Mr. Seung Hwa Suh in commemorating the occasion.

“Hankook Tire has experienced rapid growth,” stated Seung Hwa Suh during the ceremony. “We have recently celebrated the No. 100 million tyre off the production line and have sustained the top position in China’s market, which has helped Hankook Tire to build a solid foundation for ranking the 7th in the global market, and to lay down a solid foundation for the further high speed growth in China market.” Since first establishing a Chinese market presence in 1996 the company has established two factories, in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province and Huai’an Jiangsu Province. Production capacity at these two plants now stands at 28 million tyres per year.

24th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Set to Spend $125 Million at Plant

Product News

(Akron/Tire Review) News reports out of Alabama say that Goodyear plans to pour $125 million into upgrades and new equipment at its nearly 80-year-old Gadsden, Alabama, tyre plant. Reportedly the investment will come over three years. Plant manager Jim Davis told the Gadsden Times that, “The capital that we’re investing here will bring process capability and production capability that just do not reside here at this times. The investments in our plant will definitely help improve our plant’s viability and competitiveness.”

Goodyear is also getting help from the local government, said reports, with the Gadsden City Council approving $125 million in tax abatements. The Gadsden plant was one of the Goodyear plants that were given “protected status” in the recently signed master contract with the United Steelworkers, meaning it will likely remain operational through 2010.

23rd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dealer Titan Les Schwab Dies

Product News

(Akron/Tire Review) Les Schwab, one of the most recognizable and respected people in the tyre industry, died May 18, in Prineville, Ore. He was 89.
According to an official statement by the company, Schwab had been in declining health for a number of months. Clearly the most beloved resident of Prineville, most businesses and government centers in the area were flying their flags at half-staff. The Crook County Courthouse, according to local reports, will be draped in black.

After starting his company in 1952, he built Les Schwab Tire Centers into one of Oregon’s best-known businesses. The company now operates more than 410 stores throughout the West, with 7,700 employees, and posted 2006 sales of $1.6 billion. “Les was not just a great businessman, he was a great man,” said Phil Wick, current chairman of Les Schwab Tire Centers. “There will never be another Les. He was a visionary, and all of us who worked with him will stay true to his vision of integrity, service and treating people right.”

21st May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop Named as 2nd Pan-Government Supplier

Product News

Goodyear Dunlop, along with its HiQ and Truck Force networks, have been appointed as the second of the two suppliers of tyres and associated services for a three-year framework agreement for a pan-government tyre sourcing initiative led by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA), in conjunction with the Office of Government Commerce (OGC). A government spokesman told Tyres & Accessories that the framework is divided equally between the two suppliers.

18th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Sub-Standard Imported Tyres Lasting only 500km – Botswana Report

News

The general manager of Botswana’s Central Transport Organisation (CTO), the government body responsible for providing and maintaining all government fleet vehicles in that country, claims his government has spent some £255,000 on sub-standard tyres during the last financial year. Lt. Col. (ret) Moakofhi Modisanyane has reportedly stated that the blame for the poor quality of tyres supplied to the CTO lies with tyre dealers, whom he claims have acted to maximise their own profits at all costs.

Following a number of complaints from government vehicle users about tyres prematurely wearing, inspections were made of CTO facilities. Sub-standard tyres have been found at several CTO depots. Reports indicate that these tyres were manufactured in Europe and Asia, although were sourced locally. Brand names singled out as those wearing prematurely include West Lake Tire from China and Kyro.

11th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Turkish Industry Set for Take-Off

Product News

(India/Rubber Asia) Turkey’s rubber goods manufacturing industry is at a take-off stage thanks to the country’s economic liberalisation policy. The country has as many as 200 rubber goods manufacturing companies of which some are reputed exporters to Europe and the US. Mr. K Berat Oztimur, General Manager, Arsan Kaucuk, a market leader of rubberised pipe seals and bearings, spoke to Rubber Asia on the sidelines of the India Rubber Expo 2007. Selcuk Butun, Sales and Marketing Manager of the company, was also present.

Rubber goods manufacturing industry is flourishing in Turkey, especially after the economic liberalisation initiatives by the government. There are about 200 companies manufacturing rubber goods and at least 40 of them are of good repute. Construction industry is one of the largest consumers of rubber goods, mainly, pipe seals and bridge bearings. There are also a number of tyre companies in Turkey. The industry is, in fact, at a take-off stage and even small companies have started realising the importance of quality and are going in for the best technology.

9th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Violence at Plantation Leaves Six Hurt

Product News

(Akron/Tire Review) Clashes with police have left at least six people wounded at Bridgestone Americas Holdings natural rubber plantation in Liberia, according to numerous press reports. Workers there had been on strike since Apr. 24, reportedly demanding the ouster of the facility’s top manager.

4th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Poor Perception of Russian Quality a Stumbling Block – Gurin

Product News

During an address to the 10th Annual Russian Economic Forum in London, Amtel-Vredestein CEO Alexei Gurin pointed to Russia’s poor quality image as a major stumbling block to diversification, and called for President Putin to identify and support industries outside the energy sector in which Russia could become a quality producer. Amongst those industries suggested was the automotive sector.

Gurin believes that Russia needs to stop its sole orientation towards the oil or raw materials export sector and develop other industries with high export potential and domestic competitiveness which can act as ‘ambassadors’ for Russian-made products – and improve government taxation, customs and industrial policies for those who invest in producing quality, premium, competitive and ‘exportable’ Russian goods.

25th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Putin “Banned” Execs from UK Forum – Amtel-Vredestein CEO

Career Tracks

According to Bloomberg news, a number of Russian business leaders have withdrawn from the annual Russian Economic Forum in London at the last minute, following what Alexei Gurin, CEO of Amtel-Vredestein NV called an “unofficial and maybe official ban” by President Vladimir Putin.

There’s an “unofficial, and maybe official ban for politicians to come to this forum in London,” said Mr. Gurin. “Russians tend to speak much more openly and frankly being outside of Russia. I don’t know why it happens, but it’s a matter of fact.”

23rd April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

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