Manufacturing Archives - Page 100 of 258 - Tyrepress

Whether its raw materials, machinery, research and development or the latest manufacturing trends, this tag provides up-to-the-minute insights into the upstream part of the tyre industry.

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Hankook Hungary’s ‘factory village’ opened

Work on stage two of Hankook Tire Hungary’s Rácalmás factory is close to completion and the 1,900 employees at the plant now produce more than 30,000 tyres per day. Alongside the plant expansion, Hankook has also worked on, and recently completed, a project to benefit its workforce. On June 10, Hankook Tire Hungary opened a new 100 per cent company-financed hostel equipped to house 500 employees; the tyre maker says the facility, located in nearby Dunaújváros, offers “modern accommodation at the highest standard.”

15th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama introduces 8% US commercial tyre price hike

Yokohama Tire Corporation has announced a price increase of an average of 8 per cent on all of its light and medium commercial truck tyres sold in the USA from 1 July. Rick Phillips, Yokohama director of commercial sales, said that in addition to rising raw materials costs “other factors also influenced the increase, such as the costs associated with manufacturing and transportation, which continue to escalate.”

14th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook recalls truck tyres in China

Recently Kumho announced the recall of more than 300,000 tyres in China; now it is Hankook Tire’s turn, albeit on a far smaller scale. The Korean manufacturer has recalled 246 Chinese manufactured tyres after national safety authority, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, discovered a fault on June 10. It was found that due to a design or manufacturing fault steel cord protruded through the seams of a number of inspected tyres – a defect that increases the risk of rupturing.

14th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Motorsport involvement “a vital part of Falken road car tyre development”

The Falken Tyres brand is owned by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, the sixth largest manufacturer in the global tyre ranking with manufacturing facilities across Asia including plants in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and China. It was created in 1983 and was first sold in the US and Europe some years later. While the brand has an active motorsport presence in events such as the prestigious 24 Hours at the Nürburgring, it argues that its knowledge acquired in that arena is transferred immediately to its road tyre R&D team in Japan. Tyres & Accessories interviewed Satoru Ushida, marketing director at Falken Tyre Europe.

10th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear sells global wire business

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has agreed to sell its global wire business to Hyosung Corporation, pending government and regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The Korean company will pay Goodyear and its affiliates approximately US$50 million for the business, subject to post-closing adjustments. Included in the deal are the tyre reinforcement wire manufacturing plants in Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg and Asheboro, North Carolina, which together employ some 600 people. In addition, upon closing the deal Goodyear and Hyosung will sign a multi-year supply agreement. The sale is expected to close in the third quarter of 2011; Goodyear says it doesn’t expect the sale to result in a significant gain or loss.

10th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

UK vehicle industry boosted by £500 million BMW investment

Britain’s vehicle manufacturing industry has received welcome news from BMW, whose plan to invest £500 million in its Mini assembly plant in Oxford plus in its Swindon and Birmingham sites will safeguard some 5,000 UK jobs. The German manufacturer announced this investment during a Downing Street meeting between leading vehicle manufacturers and the Prime Minister. During the meeting, Mr. Cameron told industry representatives that “we really want to see the automotive industry flourish and we are determined to do the things to help it succeed.”

10th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Portfolio reshape increases Solutia’s focus on core rubber chemical business

US chemicals company Solutia Inc. reports having reshaped its rubber chemicals portfolio. Although specific details about this change have not been publicised, the company says the reshaping shows a reaffirmation of its “commitment to high-value, market-leading rubber chemicals,” including its Santoflex antigradants, which are used in the production of tyres, belts, hoses, cables and other products.

9th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Strong Indian contingent at Automechanika Middle East

Automechanika 2011 features a strong contingent of Indian tyre manufacturers and distributors including well known names such as JK Tyre, BKT and Emrald, to name just three. As the show organisers expanded the number of exhibitors many times over at the fair in general, it appears to have been a conscious decision to invite tyre makers from the subcontinent to the tyre halls in a bid to attract increasingly influential companies in addition to leading Chinese firms such as Hangzhou Zhongce, Shandong Linglong and Sailun.

8th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Infinity Tyres unveils new pattern at Autopromotec 2011

Infinity used the opportunity of the Autopromotec 2011 fair held in Bologna in May to announce that it is developing a new pattern for its UHP range. According to the company, the new design has been in development for the last six months following consultation with what the tyre brand calls “the Infinity family” (its network of dealers and partners) with the aim of getting product feedback. This information is said to have been “fully incorporated in this new size and pattern development.”. The pattern is also said to feature a number of new sizes.

7th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

CargoXbib order record broken with increased flotation tyre popularity

Farmers and contractors are specifying flotation tyres on increasing numbers of new-build agricultural trailers and Lincolnshire-based trailer manufacturer Bailey Trailers says it has responded to this market demand with the single largest order for Michelin’s CargoXbib tyres ever placed in the UK. A total of 1,100 CargoXbib tyres are being delivered to its Sleaford factory in 2011, a figure that nearly doubles the 600 supplied last year. Michelin explains the specialist tyres and wheels offer increased ground protection and lower rolling resistance compared with remould truck tyres.

6th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Rhodia offers rolling resistance lowering solutions

As well as manufacturers of electric vehicles and related equipment, suppliers of the kind of raw materials and chemical components that make low rolling resistance tyres possible were also in attendance at last month’s Challenge Bibendum. The most prominent suppliers in this category were Rhodia and Lanxess. But with many premium tyres and a growing number of lower cost products already utilising silica-based technology for example, how low can tyres continue to go in terms of rolling resistance?

2nd June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Bond International joins ITMA to “stay on top” of EU import regulations

UK importer and wholesaler Bond International has joined the Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA). As the exclusive UK distributor for several brands, the company says it will benefit from ITMA’s expertise and access to the latest EU legislation and regulations, in ensuring that its imported tyres remain fully compliant for sale in the EU. “The number of laws and technical requirements for importers and manufacturers looking to sell tyres within the EU can be quite daunting and overwhelming,” explains Steve Tidmarsh, financial director, Bond International.

2nd June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

2 millionth ContiSeal tyre produced in Portugal

The 2 millionth ContiSeal tyre produced at the firm’s manufacturing plant in Lousado, Portugal rolled off the production this month. The 235/45 ZR 17 dimension tyre will be mounted on a Volkswagen Passat as original equipment, according to the company. Continental has been manufacturing car tyres with ContiSeal technology since 2008.

2nd June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Corghi looking to expand into Brazil and China

In pursuit of the Italian garage equipment brand’s international intentions, Corghi has released details of the development strategy the firm is pursuing. According to Corghi representatives, the plan centres on so-called BRIC markets (Brazil, Russia, India and China) as the main guideline for growth. And for this reason the company reports it is making “significant investment in both the manufacturing and commercial side” of the business, investments that are said to be “already starting to bear fruit.”

1st June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Lanxess to build Singapore Nd-PBR plant

Following a feasibility study evaluating potential locations throughout Asia, Lanxess has announced plans to erect a second synthetic rubber facility on Singapore’s Juron Island. A memorandum of understanding on the new plant is scheduled to be signed by the German company’s CEO Axel C. Heitmann and Singapore Economic Development Board chairman Leo Yip on June 2; the signing ceremony has been scheduled to coincide with German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s first-ever visit to Singapore.

1st June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors