Manufacturing Archives - Page 145 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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Further US Reaction to ITC Ruling: Wait and See

While no one appeared to be surprised by the US International Trade Commission ruling yesterday on the USW’s petition to limit the importation of “Made in China” tyres, most took a wait and see attitude about the ruling.

The ITC voted 4-2 in favor of the union petition, saying that the growth in passenger tyre exports from China to the U.S. caused “disruption” in the US market. The ITC will send its specific ruling and suggested remedy on to the president by the end of this month, and the Obama Administration is slated to act by the end of September. “We anticipate that the final decisions on remedies will improve domestic job security, increase production and sales, and allow for investment in capital equipment to better compete in the global market for the long term,” said Tom Conway, USW International vice president. (Tire Review/Akron)

19th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

TIA Voices Opposition to Restrictions on Chinese Consumer Tyres

In a statement released on June 17, the Tire Industry Association has claimed the USW initiated petition currently before the US International Trade Commission (ITC) will neither benefit consumers nor help preserve manufacturing jobs in America. While the TIA refers to the proposal under consideration by the ITC as “well-intentioned”, the organisation believes it to be one that will bring severe financial harm upon many retailers and motorists by restricting the availability of affordable tyres.

18th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pelmar Delivering Right Mix of Product & Price

It doesn’t take an expert team of analysts to realise the tyre industry isn’t exactly awash with cash at the moment. Thus it is hardly surprising that sales of tyre building equipment have dropped off considerably. Yet one company whose business centres on the equipment used in tyre manufacture is bucking this trend – for Pelmar Engineering Ltd, a weak market equals strong sales.

The Israel based supplier of refurbished and pre-owned tyre industry machinery notes that while Pelmar is naturally successful in times of industry strength when many companies are expanding and instigating new projects, the prices it can offer enable Pelmar to also do well during periods of market contraction. This is perhaps to be expected when, as the company points out, the landed cost of pre-owned tyre building machinery is approximately a quarter of that for its new equivalent.

17th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Announces Changes to Operations in France

Michelin has announced details of a project that it says will upgrade the company’s global research and development centre in Clermont-Ferrand and enable it to increase specialisation at a number of its industrial operations in France. The company claims this project “reflects the Group’s commitment to strengthening France’s role as Michelin’s strategic hub and innovation centre” and will enhance the productivity of its manufacturing operations in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

17th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Rotary Lift and Chief Automotive Technologies Join Forces

Rotary Lift and Chief Automotive Technologies have joined forces, with parent company, Dover Industrial Products announcing the formation of Vehicle Service Group (VSG). Tom Giacomini, Dover Industrial Products president and CEO said: “This newly formed group includes two Dover companies, Rotary and Chief Automotive Technologies, and will greatly enhance our ability to provide superior levels of service and support to our automotive customers whilst developing the company’s facilities, technology, personnel and resources.”

As a result of the move, Chief will relocate to Rotary’s world HQ and North American manufacturing facility in Madison, Indiana, USA. Gary Kennon, president of the newly formed Vehicle Service Group said: “We are extremely excited about the potential of this group to provide a level of service and support to our customers that’s unmatched in this industry.”

17th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti to Close Austrian Rubber Mixing Site

Continental has reported the need to ‘respond’ to the continuing downturn experienced by OE and replacement passenger car tyre markets – a market which currently has a production overcapacity of more than 18 million tyres in Europe. As a consequence, the company states, the demand for raw materials is also markedly lower.

“Today, Tuesday, we are informing workers at the Traiskirchen site (in Austria) that we are forced to phase out the mixing and gumming activities in Traiskirchen, which employs a total of 195, by the end of this year,” explained Dr. Bernhard Trilken, in charge of worldwide production for the Continental Passenger and Light Truck Tires division, on June 16.

16th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Removing Jobs, Operations from Puchov Site

At present Continental reports an overcapacity of more than two million truck tyres in its European markets, a situation that has developed due to a “drastic” fall in demand during the opening months of 2009. To remedy this, the company is further reducing European truck tyre capacity by eliminating a number of jobs at and operations its Continental Matador Truck Tires facility in Puchov, Slovakia.

Continental says it has decided to remove 75 positions will be removed from Puchov by November 30 at the latest. On top of this, following a detailed analysis of the company’s machinery business, Conti will concentrate this aspect of operations to its Hannover-Stöcken plant in Germany. This measure, reports Continental, will affect around 190 Puchov based Continental Machinery employees.

15th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

VMI Yantai Opens Third Factory

Celebrations were held on May 19 to make the opening of the third factory operated by the Chinese subsidiary of Dutch tyre and rubber industry machinery manufacturer, VMI Holland BV. A contingent of Dutch and Chinese delegates were present at the official opening ceremony, with dignitaries in attendance including Mr. C.Cornielje, governor of Province of Gelderland (where parent company VMI has its headquarters), Mrs. Mrs. Li Shuqin, vice mayor of Yantai and Mr. Jiang Zhonger, governor of Fushan district. Also present were VMI Group chairman Coos Spanjer and Cai Weimin, secretary general of the China Chemical Industry Association Tire Branch.

10th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear, USW Begin Negotiations Over New Contract

Almost three years have passed since the agreement between Goodyear and the United Steelworkers of America on a new master contract ended several months of strike action, and on July 18 the contract is set to expire. Negotiations between the two parties on a new contract began on June 8 – but whether or not mutually agreeable terms can be reached without revisiting the events of 2006 remains to be seen.

The existing three-year contract covers some 10,300 workers as seven Goodyear factories in the US, and while the USW states its goal in negotiations will be to improve pay and benefits, it acknowledges that job security will overshadow other issues.

9th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Planning Around Success

When Tyres & Accessories spoke to Watts Tyre Group, it was only natural that the year we’ve just experienced – a particularly difficult period for the industrial tyre market – would be reflected upon. Yet times such as these also present an opportunity for companies that can capably adapt to their customers’ changing priorities. Watts, already a very strong player in the segment, is making the necessary adjustments needed to remain competitive in a depressed market.

5th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Chem-Trend Launches Curing Bladder Treatment for Tyres

International News, Product News, Retreading

Chem-Trend, a global manufacturer of release agents and other process chemical specialties, has announced the launch of Mono-Lube 1111, a new high performance tyre-curing bladder treatment for the tyre manufacturing industry.

Chem-Trend states that initial field tests have shown that tyre-curing bladders coated with Mono-Lube 1111 can extend bladder life up to 40 per cent. Mono-Lube 1111 cures in one hour at room temperature and provides similar performance to coatings that are baked onto the surface of a curing bladder. It can be applied by various methods including brush, sponge or spray application.

The new product is the latest addition to the Mono-Lube family of products for the tyre manufacturing industry. Chem-Trend’s full line of products includes inside tyre paints, outside tyre paints, curing bladder coatings and the Mono-Coat brand of tyre mould treatments.

5th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Adds to OTR Seminars

Michelin North America has added several components to its mining tyre “best practices” seminar. The seminars are held near the company’s headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina, and was developed to “equip attendees with a better understanding of how to implement practices to lower operating costs, improve productivity and extend tyre life,” MNA said.

“In addition to helping mine operators get the maximum life out of their tyres, we’re helping them become even better business people by sharing practices we have gathered from other mining companies,” said Terry Beach, director of earthmover training. “Our facility visits also give attendees a first-hand look at how our tyres are made and how they perform in different situations.”

Along with tyre and wheel maintenance best practices, the three-day session includes management topics like market intelligence and supply chain; operational factors such as speed, haul road design, road maintenance and load management; and vehicle issues like strut maintenance, alignment and bed modifications. Attendees also visit Michelin’s OTR tyre manufacturing facility in Lexington, South Carolina, and its tyre testing facility in Laurens, South Carolina. (Tire Review/Akron)

5th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

In Tyres & Accessories, July 2009:
EMOTR Tyres
CITExpo Preview
Tyre Manufacturing Equipment

Did you Feel the Earth Move?

In recent months a number of so-called ‘green shoots’ of recovery have been witnessed in various OTR/earthmover tyre markets. In April, for example, Michelin’s Luc Minguet reported that the US market had plateaued and was even showing signs of better performance. Furthermore, a number of companies have reported plans to increase investment in and focus their attention upon this segment. Interest in this particular part of the industry has always been considerable, and now that your appetite is whetted Tyres & Accessories is pleased to report that our OTR/Earthmover tyre review is only one month away!

CITExpo Preview

In September T&A will once again be boarding the big silver bird and heading to Asia for the CITExpo exhibition in Shanghai. Now in its seventh year, the 2009 Shanghai show has already attracted a great deal of interest from exhibitors. In July’s Tyres & Accessories we provide a taste of what to expect at this year’s exhibition.

Tyre Manufacturing Equipment

If we’re honest with ourselves, most of us can recall a time in our formative years when we thought tyres were simply made from rubber stuffed into a giant playdough like mould. The truth of the matter is, of course, much more complicated. The manufacturing process used to produce tyres is complex and the range of machinery utilised grows year by year. In July, Tyres & Accessories dedicates a feature to the equipment used to manufacture our favourite black, round objects. Join us next month as we focus on the machines behind the tyres.

2nd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sri Lankan Transport Board Re-Opens Tyre Plant

Sri Lanka’s Daily News reports that the refurbishment carried out at a tyre rebuilding factory belonging to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is complete. The opening ceremony for the plant was held on May 30; the facility, which is located in Ampara, should help address the tyre needs of the SLTB’s own bus fleet.

This refurbished facility is to be complemented by two factories, located in the country’s Ekala and Matele regions, which will produce new tyres for the SLTB. The transport operator decided in early 2008 that it would produce its own tyres rather than import them – a plan made feasible by Sri Lanka’s import duties. The SLTB will save an estimated 20 per cent in costs by manufacturing its own tyres.

1st June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Getting to Specifics

During this past year operating costs have, more than ever, become a prevalent theme within the materials handling industry. Awareness of the need to rein in these expenses wherever possible is strong, and efforts to this effect are being paired with attempts to maximise productivity. Such heightened sensitivity to costs has led to ever more operators carefully monitoring tyre costs over the entire life of the tyre in order to select the most cost effective tyre for each specific application.

1st June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors