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.
Apollo Tyres has apparently decided to up its 2009 capital expenditure from Rs 7 billion to 9 billion (£113.0 million). Rs 7 billion (£87.9 million) of these funds will go towards more than doubling capacity at its new Chennai facility, which is anticipated to come on-stream later this year. The remaining Rs 2 billion will be used for expanding production at the company’s Baroda plant in India’s Gujarat state.
Tire Group International (TGI) has released a statement outlining a USA based exporter’s point of view” towards the International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling on imported Chinese passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyres. In this statement, TGI indicates it will continue to fight the ITC ruling and says that, after meeting with several state representatives, senators, and following phone conversations with the assistant secretary of Import Administration, the company is able to “shed light on the effect this ruling will have on re-exporters” such as itself.
Continental is building a new manufacturing facility for its Automotive, Chassis & Safety and Powertrain divisions in China. The 74,000 square metre plant is located in Shanghai’s Jiading Industrial Zone, site of its new Continental Asia Headquarters and dedicated Engineering Center. Production at the new facility will mainly be dedicated to supplying vehicle manufacturers in China, Japan, Korea and Europe, with the first deliveries expected to take place in the middle of next year.
During its recent company summit, US based suspension manufacturer Air Ride Technologies announced a change of name to RideTech. "In the past 15 years Air Ride Technologies has matured into a full line suspension company," commented company founders Bret and Sharon Voelkel. "The RideTech name more fully reflects our current and upcoming product line. Our core product will continue to be the Air Ride Technologies air suspension, but we are applying our experience and resources to an expanding product line and customer base."
Sales at Nokian Tyres decreased 34.6 per cent to 346.7 million euros in the half year between January and June 2009, and operating profit went down along with it; the company reports a 86.4 per cent decline in operating profit to 17.5 million euros. Net income during the half-year amounted to just 346.7 million euros, supported by a more robust second quarter in which profits of 191.1 million euros were generated.
At the beginning of 2009 Polish tyre tube and rubber product manufacturer Kabat Company reported that it increased its annual production capacity by 60 per cent after purchasing equipment from Goodyear-Debica.
Alcoa has extended the range of lightweight wheel forgings supplied to Russia’s Solomon Alsberg for its high-performance alloy wheel range. The American based company states that the aerospace-derived metallurgy used in its blanks allows Solomon Alsberg to create a wide range of ultra-stylish wheels that improve vehicle performance and dynamics while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
The July issue of Tyres & Accessories is now available to download and for virtual reading. This month's features include: EM/OTR Tyres, CITExpo Preview and Tyre Manufacturing Equipment:
China based nano precipitated calcium carbonate (NPCC) manufacturer ShengdaTech has announced plans to relocate its global headquarters from Shandong Province to Shanghai. Company president and CEO Xiangzhi Chen, CFO Andrew Chen, COO Anhui Guo and other executives are to be based at the new office, and Shanghai also serves as the chosen site for ShengdaTech's research and development centre. The company’s NPCC manufacturing operation will continue in Tai'an City and will utilise the old ShengdaTech head office at this location for various administrative functions.
Permatex, the automotive maintenance chemical technology specialist, is marking its 100th year in business. The company was founded in 1909 by Constant A. Benoit Sr., a chemist, who started the business with a simple glue he developed for bonding bicycle tyres. At a 24-hour race in 1915 Benoit noticed that many of the cars were constantly blowing head gaskets and pitting for repairs. Benoit came up with a sealant that solved the problem and launched Permatex into the automotive chemical maintenance business.
According to Andy Robinson, general manager of Permatex, “We’ve come a long way since Mr Benoit’s ground-breaking effort helped change the face of endurance racing, but that same pioneering spirit that helped to launch the Permatex brand over 100 years ago continues to drive the company today. His passion for innovation is evident in the wide range of advanced products we are now developing and marketing. Our patented Gel Twist and Gel Squeeze threadlocker delivery systems, ‘torque and go’ 1-Minute Gasket, B-Force 100 per cent biodegradable lubricant, and Low-VOC, foaming action Gasket Remover are just a few of the most recent new product developments that continue Mr. Benoit’s pursuit of better solutions.”
On July 24 the US based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced new braking standards that will require the “vast majority” of heavy truck tractor units to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in stopping distances compared with current levels. The new regulation, which will be phased in over a four year period beginning with 2012 models, sets out that these vehicles should be capable of stopping from sixty miles per hour in not more than 250 feet when loaded to their gross vehicle weight rating. Previous standards required a complete stop within 355 feet. When lightly loaded, the stopping distance from sixty miles per hour should be within 235 feet.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. appointed John Bodart as vice president of its North American tyre manufacturing operations and Alex Perry as plant manager at the Texarkana, Arkansas, manufacturing facility. Bodart will oversee North American tyre plant managers, operations excellence, reliability engineering and lean engineering. A 20-year Cooper employee with experience in plant management, quality assurance, mold operations, tyre testing and product development, he most recently worked as plant manager in Texarkana, Cooper said.
Perry will relocate from Cooper’s manufacturing facility in Melksham, England. Perry previously served in manufacturing operations, assembly operations and production roles in Melksham and Texarkana. Before joining Cooper in 2001, he spent several years in the British Army as a bomb disposal officer, reaching the rank of captain prior to his retirement. He also has prior experience with two other companies in management roles. Perry is the first Cooper employee to become certified as a black belt under the Cooper Tire Lean Six Sigma program, the company said. (Tire Review/Akron)
Apollo Tyres South Africa recently won the contract to supply half of Nissan Diesel’s truck tyre requirements. Nissan Diesel SA (Pty) Ltd, based in Rosslyn Pretoria, have reportedly chosen Apollo Tyres South Africa (formerly known as Dunlop International) to supply the Dunlop brand steel radial truck tyres, in an “open-ended contract.”
The deal with Nissan Diesel is the single largest original equipment deal secured with a vehicle manufacturer since the reinstatement of Apollo Tyres South Africa’s Original Equipment department early last year. Dr Luis Ceneviz, Apollo Tyres South Africa’s CEO said: “We are proud to be collaborating with Nissan Diesel as both companies share a common goal of exceeding customer expectation and growing its share of business. We look forward to many more such partnerships into the future.”
US based tyre recycling solutions developer the Tirex Corporation announced on July 14 that Italian company Simpro S.p.A., who is licensed by Tirex to manufacture, install, commission and warrant turnkey its TCS tyre recycling facilities, recently signed a US$20.8 million Memorandum of Understanding with Enchantex Solutions of Malaysia for such a system.
“This is a major milestone for Tirex and our TCS technology as it begins the production of the first commercial tyre recycling system to freeze tyre rubber with cold air as opposed to using expensive liquid nitrogen,” stated Tirex CEO John L. Threshie Jr.
Tyrecor is planning to launch a new range of Infinity UHP tyres into the South African market at Tyrepxo Africa next year. Confirming the news, managing director Charl de Villiers said: “Infinity will be launching an exciting new range of products into the Southern African market at the show next March, which will include Ultra High Performance tyres up to and including 21 inches in V and W speed ratings. The Infinity brand already enjoys a large following in Europe and other parts of the world and we have received numerous requests from our dealer base to expand our current range. “We feel that Tyrexpo Africa is the ideal platform to launch this range due to the exposure it offers exhibitors,” he said.
By mid-July, floor space for TyrexpoAfrica’10 was more than 55 per cent occupied and on track to meet targets set by organiser ECI International. There is a current balance of 40 per cent national to 60 per cent international companies exhibiting, with strong representation from China, India, south east Asia, Europe and the US.
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