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Pirelli NA Finalist in Governor’s International Awards

Pirelli Tire North America has been recognized as a finalist in a series of awards for its investment in Rome, Georgia. The Governor of Georgia and the World Trade Center Atlanta have continued the historic Georgia tradition of the Governor’s International Awards honouring companies, educational programmes and individuals who have promoted and developed international business in the state. The implementation of the company’s Modular Integrated Robotized System is said to have been particularly influential in the decision making process. In selecting candidates the committee considers unique aspects of the investment, the foundation the investment provides for future business and the impact of the investment on the community.

27th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Ross Thompson Trials Michelin XTE2

Newry-based Ross Thompson Ltd, a long established haulier in Northern Ireland, is currently monitoring the performance of the Michelin 385/65 R22.5 XTE2 tyres on the rear axle of one of its Crossland tanker trailers. Fitted as original equipment in early 2006, the tyres have already clocked up 175,000 km and still have 3-4mm of tread remaining. Over 90 per cent of the company’s fleet is fitted with Michelin tyres as original equipment.

27th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Attendance Up at Tyrexpo Asia

The organisers of Tyrexpo Asia, ECI International, have announced that this year’s attendance figures broke all previous records. A total of 3,219 visitors passed through the Singapore Expo Centre’s gates between September 11 and 13. This represents a 9 per cent increase on the number of visitors at Tyrexpo Asia 2005. Statistics also indicate that guests from more than 88 countries were in attendance.

According to ECI International’s Rowena Suthers, 20 per cent of those exhibiting have already booked their exhibition space for the 2009 Tyrexpo Asia show, scheduled to be held between March 24 and 26, 2009. The earlier date of March has been selected, says Ms Suthers, to “give everyone who supports the show the very best opportunity to maximise their investment.”

20th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa Sells Stake in Chalco for $2 Billion

(Akron/Tire Review) Aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. sold its nearly 7 per cent stake in Chalco, China’s largest aluminum maker, for $2 billion. Alcoa said it would continue to invest in the aluminum industry in China, where it currently manufactures foil, fasteners, automotive components and other products. Alcoa said its initial investment in Chalco was less than $200 million.

14th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

National Starts Tyres Refurbishment Programme

National Tyres and Autocare has embarked on a refurbishment programme for a number of branches across the country. The refurbishment will see investment into branch exteriors and signage, and the upgrading of branch interiors. This follows on from National’s recent investment in MOT centres and a brakes programme which was rolled out last year to all branches as part of National’s development strategy for the company. The company remains silent about £100 million auction for ownership of the company that began two month’s ago.

Tony Neill, Managing Director for Retail commented “We are constantly striving to offer customers the best possible service and by investing in our branches we can ensure that anyone visiting National will receive a consistently first-rate and professional service experience from all of our branches.”

10th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama to Build Factory in Romania

Romania’s national press agency Rompres has released information that indicates Yokohama Rubber intends to establish a factory in the nation’s Calarasi region, east of Bucharest. CEO Fumiro Nishi announced during a meeting on September 6 that the Japanese tyremaker is seeking a site close to the capital that offers easy road and rail access plus the added bonus of transportation via waterways.

Calarasi is situated between the Danube and the motorway linking Bucharest with the Black Sea port of Constanta.

‘We suggested sites that are available in the region, and the Japanese now need to draw up an investment plan if they want to set up in Calarasi,’ said Cornel Coman, deputy head of the regional administration.

7th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Chairman Named at Monro Muffler

(Akron/Tire Review) Monro Muffler Brake has named Robert Gross, 49, currently the company’s president and CEO, as its chairman of the board.Gross succeeds Peter Solomon, 68, who will remain on the board. Gross will remain as president and CEO.

“In his role as president and CEO, Gross has done an outstanding job of building Monro through a combination of strategic acquisitions and organic growth, while expanding Monro’s reputation as a trusted service provider,” said Solomon. “We are confident that Rob’s election will serve to benefit the long-term growth of the Company as well as serve to maximise return on investment for our shareholders.”

Separately, Elizabeth Wolszon, 53, was elected to the board, replacing Robert Mellor, 63, who resigned to devote more time to other professional duties. Wolszon is senior vice president of marketing, human resources and strategic planning for the Safelite Group Inc.

23rd August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New Butyl Rubber Production Technology Enters Production

A new rubber processing technology pioneered by ExxonMobil Chemical has entered commercial production in France. At the end of July ExxonMobil Chemical reported that its Notre Dame de Gravenchon (NDG) facility had begun employing a technology that reportedly can significantly increase the butyl rubber production capacity at established production plants. In addition to increasing capacity, ExxonMobil Chemical state that the process now being used at the NDG plant is more energy efficient than current methods owing to changes in the temperature at which the butyl rubber polymerization process takes place.

The process technology unrolled at the NDG plant is the result of a long-term multi-million dollar program conducted by ExxonMobil Chemical. “This is possibly the biggest breakthrough in butyl process technology since the invention of halobutyl,” said Art Sullivan, Global Butyl Polymers vice president at ExxonMobil Chemical. “It is the culmination of our relentless focus and investment in research and development, and it demonstrates the continued technical leadership of ExxonMobil Chemical and our continued commitment to the global tyre industry.”

The commercial application of the technology comes after two years of tests and trials at the NDG facility. Stable, efficient plant operations, significantly higher production capability with existing reactors and refrigeration compressors and equivalent product properties and performance were amongst the key success criteria evaluated prior to commercialisation of the technology. The company plans to implement the new technology at its other butyl plants around the world, however details of the company’s plans, including the timing and target capacity increment, have yet to be finalised.

7th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli UK to Release New Regional Haul Tyres

2007 has been an exciting year in the development of Pirelli’s commercial vehicle tyres, company representatives told Tyres & Accessories. Originally designed for the long haul sector of the market, the Amaranto series’ success has led to the extension of SATT technology and enabled Pirelli to develop a new range of tyres for regional haul.

Designed for 17.5” rims, the new FR85 and TR85 Amaranto are due for release in the second half of 2007. Key features of these new products are said to be: excellent mileage; optimum grip; increased tread width; reinforced sidewalls to resist impact; improved tyre integrity and prolonged tyre life.

By extending the existing range of Amaranto tyres into 60 and 70 series; and with the introduction of the new FR85 & TR85 17.5”, Pirelli is aiming to establish a firm foundation on which to build, enabling the future production and development of the highest quality tyres for the transport industry.

2nd August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

USW, Carlyle Set New Contract, Goodyear Sale to Proceed

(Akron/Tire Review) The United Steelworkers and the Carlyle Group have reached agreement on a new five-year contract covering the four engineered products plants Carlyle is planning to acquire from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. The contract paves the way for completion of the sale agreement between Goodyear and the investment group. The contract covers some 1,600 workers at plants in St. Marys, Ohio; Lincoln, Nebraska; Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; and Marysville, Ohio.

31st July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli UK to Release New Regional Haul Tyres

2007 has been an exciting year in the development of Pirelli’s commercial vehicle tyres, company representatives told Tyres & Accessories. Originally designed for the long haul sector of the market, the Amaranto series’ success has led to the extension of SATT technology and enabled Pirelli to develop a new range of tyres for regional haul.

Designed for 17.5” rims, the new FR85 and TR85 Amaranto are due for release in the second half of 2007. Key features of these new products are said to be: excellent mileage; optimum grip; increased tread width; reinforced sidewalls to resist impact; improved tyre integrity and prolonged tyre life.

By extending the existing range of Amaranto tyres into 60 and 70 series; and with the introduction of the new FR85 & TR85 17.5”, Pirelli is aiming to establish a firm foundation on which to build, enabling the future production and development of the highest quality tyres for the transport industry.

31st July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Ceat shareholders Give OK to Demerger

Shareholder’s in India’s Ceat Ltd have approved the demerger of the company’s investment arm CHI Investment into a standalone entity. The demerger had previously been approved by the Bombay High Court.

Ceat said the demerger would enable it to optimise performance and enhance value for the shareholders by concentrating on its core business. Post demerger, the company’s shareholder would get 25 shares in CHI and 75 shares in Ceat for every 100 shares held on the date of recording.

30th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

CTNA Sending Plant Workers to College

(Akron/Tire Review) Continuing its emphasis on its sole remaining active North American tyre plant, Continental Tire North America has teamed with Rend Lake College to start Continental University, an on-site program that will allow CTNA workers at its Mt. Vernon, Ill., tyre plant to earn college degrees.

The program gives employees the opportunity to earn a two-year associates degree by attending classes at the plant, and a bachelor’s degree from nearby Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

“I’m pleased to announce a direct investment in the education and professional growth of our employees through Continental University,” said Heinz-Gerhard Wente, global human resources chief for Continental AG. “It is a meaningful program that promotes higher education and advances employees’ career paths at Continental, and one that also promotes the exchange of knowledge and ideas and cultivates a high-performance culture in the workplace.”

24th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Investment Firm Owns Five Per Cent Of Nokian

On 20 July, 2007 Nokian Tyres received an announcement from Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co LLC (GMO), according to which as a result of a share transaction concluded the previous day, their ownership has increased the level of 5 per cent of the voting rights and share capital in Nokian Tyres plc. GMO now holds a total of 6,224,719 Nokian Tyres’ shares, representing 5.06 per cent of the company’s 122,989,620 shares and voting rights.

GMO is a global investment management firm, founded in 1977. Its headquarters are in Boston, with offices in San Francisco, London, Zurich, Singapore and Sydney and the company employs around 350 people worldwide. In March 2007 GMO was managing US$ 145 billion in client assets.

23rd July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Delphi to Build New Romanian Plant

On July 19, the same day that Pirelli announced its planned investment of around £17 million to set up a factory for the production of diesel engine filters, auto parts manufacturer Delphi gave details of plans to invest some £67 million over the next five years in a new factory in Romania. This facility. According to Romania’s national press agency Rompres, will produce injectors and other components for diesel engines.

The facility will be located in the northeast city of Iasi, close to the country’s border with Moldova. It is anticipated that more than a thousand workers will be employed there. The word from Delphi headquarters in Troy, Michigan is that the new plant is required in order to keep pace with rising demand.

23rd July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors