(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has hired Kevin Olifiers as vice president of supply chain for its North American Tire unit. Olifiers previous was director of supply chain and logistics for SVP Worldwide, which produces Singer and Viking sewing machines.
Freighting, haulage and transportation logistics company Top Gear Transport is fitting its HGV fleet with Michelin Energy tyres following positive results obtained during a 12-month trial involving Energy tyres fitted to one of the company’s vehicles. Top Gear Transport fitted the Michelin tyres to a 4×2 tractor unit and compared the monthly fuel economy with figures obtained from the same vehicle 12 months earlier, when it was fitted with Michelin E-segment tyres. Fuel consumption was on average 5.9 per cent lower when the Michelin Energy tyres were fitted.
Michelin’s full-year net sales totalled 16.4 billion euros in 2006, up 5.1 per cent following a 3.6 per cent increase in 2005. According to the company, Michelin’s price mix effect remained favourable (+4.7 per cent of sales). This, together with internal cost reductions enabled the group to offset most of the 800 million euros burden caused by increased raw material prices in 2005. However, the manufacturer’s net result was down 35.5 per cent to 573 million euros, reflecting large non-recurring restructuring and industrial plant closure charges. Operating income totalled 1.118 billion euros, down 29 per cent.
US based RubberNetwork, a consortium of the companies participating in the global tyre and rubber industry, and Brazil based Webb Negocios, a company specialising in consulting, ebusiness and outsourcing Company, announce the formation of a jointly owned enterprise, RubberNetwork-Webb. The newly constituted company builds on a five-year commercial relationship between RubberNetwork and Webb and draws on the strengths of both companies. The venture will offer a range of Supply Chain services aimed at reducing costs and improving efficiency to companies in the community of the tyre and rubber industry.
Ashley Croft, Warehousing, Logistics and Wholesale Sales Director of Micheldever Tyre Services, has resigned from the company. Ashley Croft was one of the original six members of management involved in the Buy Out of the company in February 2006.
Kraiburg Austria has appointed a new management team for its Retreading Materials business unit, with Frank Gregory becoming sales director. The move took effect on 1 January and saw the eight-year Kraiburg veteran promoted from the position of sales manager Central Europe.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin Aircraft Tire Co. has been awarded a 10-year, $700 million-plus contract to supply tires to the U.S. military. Michelin officials said it was the company’s single largest contract ever.
Under the Defense Department Tire Privatization Initiative, Michelin will handle the wholesale supply, storage and distribution for all aircraft tires used by the U.S. military.
(Akron/Tire Review) Citing the effects of a global shortage on commercial truck tires, Navistar has opted to add China-made Double Coin radial truck tires to its OE mix. Navistar signed a deal with China Manufacturers Alliance to put Double Coin radials on “several platforms” of its Class 4-8 International vehicles and IC Corp. buses.
The move marks the first time that a China-produced truck tire has earned an OE position with a major North American truck producer.
Heavy vehicle manufacturer Navistar International Corp. has approved the fitment of Double Coin radial tyres as original equipment on a selected range of International Truck vehicles and IC Corp. school buses.
International has been, like many manufacturers and fleet owners, affected by global truck tyre shortages. Tom Akers, the company’s vice president of purchasing and logistics, has reportedly said they are pleased to have entered into an agreement with a tyre manufacturer who can “meet International’s production needs and strict quality standards at an affordable cost.”
Major Indian tyremaker Apollo Tyres has made the decision to diversify into the transportation and logistics industry. Sister company Apollo International is in the process of establishing a cargo container freight depot near Mumbai, and is eager to acquire an established third party logistics firm to facilitate the development of the new business.
(Akron/Tire Review) The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) of China signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Beijing to promote dialogue and collaboration between the North American and Chinese automotive industries in the areas of technology, management and standards development, AIAG said.
The agreement establishes a foundation for both associations to work together in support of their members’ needs for standardised processes in quality, materials management, logistics and e-commerce, the statement added. The MOU will initially focus on channels of communications for sharing information between AIAG and China’s SAE.
The Pentagon has honoured Abraham Pannikottu and his American Engineering Group team for designing airless tyres for the Stryker armoured vehicle. Pannikottu and his team have toiled for three years to come up with the tyres, which can run without deflating even after being shot. At a function at the Pentagon, Claude M Bolton, Jr, assistant secretary of the army for acquisition, logistics and technology, presented Abraham with the 2006 Army Small Business Innovation Research award and the Small Business Technology Transfer Quality Award.
Sherbrook International – whose wheel ranges include DJ, Outlaw, Rondell and Kosei – have announced the opening of a major new Wheel Storage and Distribution facility at Burntwood, Staffs. It will handle the entire warehousing and distribution operation for all four product lines, and with its exceptional transport and road links including the M6 toll motorway, will enable Sherbrook to deliver an enhanced service to distributors and trade customers alike.
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. announced today that its steel wheel manufacturing operation in Guarulhos, Brazil has received the 2005 supplier award from Volkswagen of Brazil. The award recognizes Hayes Lemmerz for its steel wheels, in the category of “Logistics – Domestic Productive Parts.” The award was recently presented by Messrs. Hans-Christian Maergner, president of Volkswagen of Brazil and Thomas Gropp, purchasing director of Volkswagen of Brazil. “I am honoured that Volkswagen has recognized our efforts to be an industry leader,” said Fred Bentley, president and COO of the company’s Global Wheel Group.
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) will invest approximately $44 million to build a 1 million-square foot distribution centre at Cecil Commerce Center North in Jacksonville, Florida.
The announcement was made in a joint release by Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC), Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership and Jacksonville Port Authority (Jaxport).
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