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.
Thai news source, The Nation has reported that the country’s sole distributor of Toyo-manufactured tyres is to begin a process of aggressive penetration in the domestic market via a change of segment emphasis from premium to the wider market and the opening of more shops in 2009. The company may also build a new manufacturing facility in Thailand, according to the report.
Wolfrace, a leading UK brand of alloy wheels, has announced its new range of Pro-Lite wheels suitable for road and track use. With a wide and successful range of what it terms the ‘mainstream’ car enthusiast and modified car market with Wolfrace alloy wheels, exhausts and performance air filters, the Wolfrace Eurosport range now features the company’s first lightweight wheel suitable for road and track use.
With an ever-growing awareness of the ecological climate, as well as a new precedent currently being set for economical measures introduced specifically for levies on manufacturers of tyres in the Far East, those wishing to import tyres to Europe and the USA need show an awareness of current regulations governing the properties of their products. This has not passed Federal Corporation by: “In an effort to contribute to the conservation of the environment and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to a safer and greener society,” Federal announces it is “to phase out use of the PAH rich extender oils by shifting all categories of tire segments to HA oil free tires following the REACH regulations.” The implementation of the environmental initiative, the company continues, is in compliance with EU directives concerning the tyre industry and is clearly designed to show how the Far East is by no means standing still when it comes to the use of new technologies to meet EU regulations.
Kumho has been exhibiting examples of its brand new laser etching process at the Frankfurt Motor Show (15-27 September). In the future Kumho plans to avoid compromising functionality and aesthetics, as every tyre maker has had to do up till now, by producing tyres in two stages. The idea is to produce functional requirement by moulding in the normal way. However, any additional attributes or design features will then be etched onto the surface as required, making an attractive design, without compromising on functionality.
Said Roger Jenkins, managing director of Kumho’s Birmingham-based European Technical Centre: “The new laser technology will allow us far more freedom at the design stage and the ability to experiment with any number of patterns and surface finishes. In the future, the process could also provide production tyres with a variety of short-term gains – such as special surfaces for use in motorsport or driving on low friction surfaces etc.”
ExxonMobil Chemical will host Tire Symposium 2009 in Chengdu, China, for those interested in learning about new tyre innerliner technologies and opportunities for the Chinese tyre industry. The 18-20 October event is sponsored exclusively by ExxonMobil Chemical, and will feature product marketing and technology specialists discussing tyre innerliner technologies, including the company’s own Exxcore DVA resin-based innerliner.
The Tire Industry Association said it is “deeply disappointed” in the Obama Administration’s decision to place added tariffs on imported China-made passenger tyres. The association, which made no prior public statements regarding the situation, issued a statement yesterday calling the decision “politically motivated.”
Georg Schramm, head of marketing and sales for Apollo Tyres South Africa (Pty) Limited, will be a keynote speaker at the inaugural Tyrexpo Africa Conference alongside next March’s Tyrexpo Africa’10. Schramm is responsible for all marketing and sales for the Dunlop brand in South Africa as well as Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland. He will provide an expert insight into tyre manufacturing in the African market.
He will be joined at the conference by Dr Etienne Human, chief executive officer of SATRP, the South Africa Tyre Recycling Program. Dr Human will outline the work and remit of the not-for-profit organisation that was established to tackle the waste tyre problem in South Africa and support a sustainable waste tyre producer industry. Members of the body include Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop and Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli, Maxiprest and Trentyre.
Thule has added a line of snow chains to its UK vehicle accessories range. Produced in Thule’s Italian manufacturing facility, the extensive range of snow chains will be available from selected recognised dealers from October. The UK launch coincides with a reported rise in demand across Europe and the UK for high quality snow chains.
Peter Barker, UK general manager, commented: “For Thule, the manufacture and distribution of snow chains is a welcome addition to our sports and leisure equipment transportation range. Snow chains are a vital part of ski-drive holidays and are required by law in many destinations. We have seen a demand for a high quality chain by our customers, and are confident the Thule snow chains will not disappoint with their quick and easy application and durable, superior materials.”
The K-Summit snow chain is a key model in the range. With a patented rachet system the chain is designed to fit over 250 wheel sizes, with just eight chain lengths, mounting to the wheel in three steps. Once fitted, the ratchet system centres itself as you drive. The K-Summit has zero clearance, which means no part of it touches the inner side of the tyre, so it can be used on cars with limited space around the wheel arch.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has announced manufacturing “realignment” plans that will see the company’s Melksham plant reduce its workforce by 20 per cent. According to a statement, the decision to realign production at the Melksham facility is a result of the company’s focus on its “strategic objective to create a sustainable and competitive cost position.” Company managers say the move is designed to enhance the company’s long-term performance, “while helping to mitigate the effects of the current economic downturn and the increases in its cost base.”
This means over the next year, the company will transfer some US tyre production to Melksham and other Melksham production to its Chinese production plants. It is this part of the realignment that will result in the reduction of the current work schedule. It appears that the bulk of the changes are taking place in the passenger car tyre manufacturing departments. A company spokes person told Tyres & Accessories/tyrepress.com that Cooper Tires does not know exactly which products will be affected, but will be communicating more information on this in due course. However, motorcycle and motorsport products are apparently not included in the changes and will continue to be manufactured in Melksham.
A Texas jury returned a $12 million judgment against Michelin North America, finding that a manufacturing flaw “substantially contributed” to a 31 December 2006 crash that killed six and left a 12-year-old boy paralyzed. The Willacy County, Texas, jury awarded the plaintiffs $11.96 million, ruling that a BFGoodrich brand tire failed due to manufacturing errors, causing the 2002 Ford F-250 pickup truck the victims were riding in to swerve into oncoming traffic and crash head-on into a Chevrolet Suburban. “The jury found that broken air conditioners and leaky roofs cause moisture to get on tires, which led to this tread- belt separation,” Mikal Watts, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said. “We are grateful the jury saw the evidence as it was. There was a manufacturing defect in this tire, and Michelin needed to pay for the damage it caused.” (Tire Review)
Hankook executives are reportedly planning to build a new tyre production facility in either India or Malaysia. The news follows the announcement that Hankook is investing 230 million euros in increasing output at its Dunaujvaros, Hungary factory to 10 million tyres a year. Speaking to the Financial Times, Hankook executive Calvin Pak explained that the company’s next phase of expansion would be in south Asia “for example in India or Malaysia.” There was even talk of a North American plant “in the longer term.” Calvin Pak reportedly explained that Hankook’s competitive advantage over European manufacturers was that it had won quality accolades but remained “more affordable thanks to less of a brand premium.”
At the start of 2009, the Chinese Rubber Industry Association reported that, despite the global economic meltdown, China remains the world's fastest growing market. The Chinese tyre business is reportedly worth about $8 billion and accounts for 9 per cent of the world tyre market share. However with most of the world’s markets either struggling to recover or still nose-diving, the fact that July figures suggest Chinese passenger car tyre OE and replacement demand are actually up 10 and 20 per cent respectively is truly impressive. With this in mind, Messe Essen’s third Reifen China exhibition running from 11 – 13 November is likely to pique the interest of buyers, manufacturers and traders from around the world.
Double Coin distributor, Kirkby Tyres Ltd, has announced that the Chinese tyre manufacturer is expanding its truck tyre range. According to Kirkby Tyres, the size expansion means the sole distributor (UK and Ireland) can now offer an “all-encompassing
truck tyre line to meet the needs of the most demanding tyre retailer or end user.”
One of Europe’s largest automotive aftermarket manufacturers, Klarius has held a recruitment day inspired by the BBC television series, ‘Dragon’s Den’, in which promising graduates are given the opportunity to “pitch” themselves directly to the company’s board of directors. The day offered a variety of UK and European trial positions – which could potentially become permanent – for the successful candidates.
Hankook Tire is to invest 230 million euros in its Hungary tyre production plant over the next 2 years in a bid to double production output from 5 to 10 million tyres a year by 2011. The latest injection of funds means the company has invested 550 million euros in the project. An official statement from the company said the latest move to ramp up production in Europe was a reflection of increasing demand there. Hankook’s decision to build a manufacturing facility in Hungary has been key to reducing customer delivery times from one month previously to just five days for the Europe-made Hankook tyres. However, the move also positions Hankook for increasing amounts of OE business, with the company openly bidding for the attention of “Audi-level” customers. Last year the company’s Hungary site began supplying OE customers in Europe, first Hyundai’s Czech factory (with tyres destined for the i30-compact car) then to Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge in Germany for the popular VW T5.
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