Manufacturing Archives - Page 141 of 257 - 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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Toyo Ends China JVs, Announces Construction of New Factory

When building its all-new factory in China, Toyo Tire & Rubber will be going it alone. During a Board of Directors meeting on August 27, the company decided to end its joint venture agreements for tyre production in China. Toyo has operated Cheng Shin-Toyo Tire & Rubber (China) Co., Ltd. together with Taiwan’s Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd. since the end of 1995, with a focus upon manufacturing car tyres and tubes for the Chinese market. The company also began a partnership, Cheng Shin-Toyo Tire (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., with Maxxis International Co., Ltd. in 2002, producing commercial vehicle radials. Both joint ventures have been terminated as of August 27.

27th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Italmatic Offers Global Reach

Retread manufacturing equipment and garage supply specialist Italmatic Srl may be based in Italy, but the company has long established global intentions. In addition to the Italian headquarters, a far eastern wing (50:50 joint venture, Italmatic Asia) was founded in Singapore in 1984 and the company also has a network of offices in the USA and the UK. Now, 40 years since the company produced its first buffing machines, the goal is to serve customers throughout Europe, Asia and North America with „full technological, training and marketing support.”

26th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Phase 2 of Yokohama’s ‘Forever Forest’ Completed in Thailand

International News

Some 5,000 trees have been planted at the Yokohama Rubber tyre factory in Thailand as part of the company’s tree planting programme. The second phase of the plant’s "Yokohama Forever Forest" project – the first phase two planting conducted at a Yokohama facility outside of Japan – took place on August 12. Around 1,100 employees, family members, local residents and other volunteers planted 26 varieties of tree under the supervision of Sirin Kawlaierd, tree planting expert employed by the Thai Imperial Household Agency and Akira Miyawaki, an expert in physiognomy and Professor Emeritus of Yokohama National University.

26th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan Works to Address Giant Tyre Concerns

According to Bloomberg, Titan International Inc.’s bid to break into the oversized tyre market has hit a roadblock after tyres installed on trucks hauling Canadian oil sands lasted just 1 per cent as long as expected. In a telephone interview with the news service, Titan CEO Maurice M. Taylor Jr said the company has halted production of the four metre tyres used on dump trucks in order to install pressure-monitoring devices. A number of tyres failed after 100 hours of work on the 400-ton trucks used to haul oil-soaked sand for Royal Dutch Shell Plc and other energy companies in Alberta, a far cry from the minimum expected lifespan of 10,000 hours, he said.

25th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Natural Rubber Price Up +25%

The price of RSS3 grade natural rubber has shot up 25 per cent to US$2.0/kg in the last month (and US$ 1.8/kg for TSR 20 grade). True, according to Deutsche Bank analysts the latest prices surge is expected to impact tyre manufacturers’ profit and loss accounts in the first quarter of 2010. But this is still significantly below what tyre companies paid in 2008 (approximately $2.8/kg; 2007:$2.3/kg). Furthermore, according to the bankers, this is “not necessarily bad news for the industry” because higher input prices reduces the risks of “negative pricing” in the short term. In other words, with the impending recovery in sell-in markets expected any time now, in the coming months the industry will face no difficulties in increasing selling prices.

25th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Nynas to Supply Lanxess Rubber Production Following DAE Ban

Company News, International News, News

To maintain its production of synthetic rubber after its utilisation of DAE oils ceases, Lanxess AG will enter into a strategic co-operation with Swedish oil producer Nynas. Lanxess will end the use of DAE oils in its synthetic rubber production as of December 1, 2009, ahead of next year’s European and Japanese bans on the substance.

25th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Malcolm Scovell New Michelin Tyre Plc Commercial Director

Malcolm Scovell has been appointed as commercial director for Michelin Tyre Plc with responsibility for the UK and Republic of Ireland. He will be based at Michelin’s UK headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent. He replaces Hervé de Froment, who is transferring after four years in the role to take on a new position with Michelin in Spain. The latest appointment signifies significant change in the management of Michelin Tyre Plc as it follows the appointment of Bill Schafer 42 as commercial director of Michelin’s truck and bus operations in July. Scovell brings with him extensive industry experience after 34 years with Michelin, most recently as managing director for the replacement car tyre market for the Nordic countries, based in Stockholm.

24th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama to Begin Russian Tyre Production in 2011

Plans for Yokohama Rubber to set up a manufacturing presence in Russia took a further step forward on August 21 with the announcement that it has signed an agreement with Japan’s Itochu Corporation to establish a company manufacturing and selling tyres in Russia. Called YOKOHAMA R.P.Z. L.L.C, the new company is capitalised at 3.76 billion roubles (approximately £71.86 million), in which investment ratio is 80 per cent for Yokohama Rubber and 20 per cent for Itochu.

21st August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

B&J Rocket In Global Link

After operating independently for six years, B&J Rocket Sales AG, based in Switzerland, and the USA-based B&J Manufacturing have signed an agreement to merge into one global company. The companies have been in close contact in order to make this agreement possible. The newly named B&J Rocket America, Inc. will continue to service the American continent, while B&J Rocket Sales AG will remain for European, Asian and Pacific Markets.

21st August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Issues Statement Regarding Court Finding

In an August 18 news story, it was revealed that Hankook Tire Co. and some of its manufacturing plant managers were found guilty of failing to prevent a series of work-related deaths at Hankook facilities.

20th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho to Lay off 706 Employees in September

It is alleged Kumho Tire will lay off 18 per cent of its workforce during September. According to South Korea’s Dong-a Ilbo (East Asia Daily), the tyre maker has filed an application to this effect with the Gwangju Regional Labour Office, and the country’s Labour Ministry stated on August 17 that Kumho will dismiss 706 employees on September 16. In its application, the company cited a number of reasons for its decision, including aggravating business conditions, rising accumulated deficits, and a lower operating rate at its factories due to declining profits. On August 10 Kumho began offering early retirement packages to employees. Only 20 workers have so far applied to take such an offer, however.

20th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sapphire Opens New Chipping Facility

Sapphire Energy Recovery is opening a new tyre chipping facility at Western Tyres' Avonmouth headquarters in the South West. The business is leasing land at the Western Tyres facility in order to provide a secure outlet for used tyres for its customers across the South West.

18th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental to Manufacture "Softy" Tyres in Sri Lanka

In early August Continental’s tyre operations in Germany, Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH, entered into a strategic alliance with another German manufacturer of super elastic tyres, Gumasol-Werke Dr. Mayer GmbH. As part of the deal, in future Gumasol’s "Softy" range of products will be manufactured in Continental’s factory in Sri Lanka, where Conti already produces super elastic tyres for the Asian and American markets.

18th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bekaert Closes US Bead Wire Plant

The tyre manufacturing downturn in North America has claimed another victim. Bekaert has announced the closure of its Clarksdale, Mississippi bead wire plant. According to plant manager Gary Downey, the quantity tyre imports entering the US, and their affect on North American tyre production, has played a role in the decision to close the plant and eliminate 76 jobs. Production from Clarksdale will be integrated into Bekaert's Rome, Georgia, and Shelbyville, Kentucky facilities in the coming months.

18th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear, Bridgestone say USW Talks Unaffected by Michelin Deal

In a press statement, Michelin North America reports that the three-year tentative agreement made with the United Steelworkers "meets the terms the company believes are necessary to retain its competitive posture and to help improve the viability of the BFGoodrich tyre manufacturing plants going forward.'' The contract, which covers Michelin owned BFGoodrich plants in Alabama and Indiana, was signed on August 15, and will now go before the USW executive boards at the two locations in question.

18th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors