Manufacturing Archives - Page 201 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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Goodyear Belt Meets Metric Demand

To meet increasing demand for metric industrial replacement parts, Goodyear Engineered Products has introduced a line of metric power transmission v-belts that takes the static zap out of manufacturing operations.

Much of this increased output will go towards meeting the requirements of North America plants, more of which are today using overseas built industrial equipment requiring v-belts that adhere to metric standard unit measurements, according to Michael Lyons, Goodyear marketing manager for industrial power transmission products.

25th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Poor Perception of Russian Quality a Stumbling Block – Gurin

During an address to the 10th Annual Russian Economic Forum in London, Amtel-Vredestein CEO Alexei Gurin pointed to Russia’s poor quality image as a major stumbling block to diversification, and called for President Putin to identify and support industries outside the energy sector in which Russia could become a quality producer. Amongst those industries suggested was the automotive sector.

Gurin believes that Russia needs to stop its sole orientation towards the oil or raw materials export sector and develop other industries with high export potential and domestic competitiveness which can act as ‘ambassadors’ for Russian-made products – and improve government taxation, customs and industrial policies for those who invest in producing quality, premium, competitive and ‘exportable’ Russian goods.

25th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Revenue up 5.5%

Michelin’s revenue during the first quarter of 2007 rose 5.5 per cent thanks to higher prices and demand from commercial vehicle manufacturers. The tyremaker reported that sales during the quarter came to 4.2 billion euros, compared with 3.98 billion euros a year earlier. The company is sticking to its forecast of a “tangible increase” in full-year profit as a proportion of sales.

In February Michelin affirmed its goal of a margin of 10 per cent by 2010 (compared with 8.2 per cent during 2006), and stated it will reduce costs by as much as 1.7 billion euros by 2010. The company plans to cut spending on purchasing and manufacturing.

According to the company, higher prices and changes in the type of tyres purchased added 4.4 per cent to Michelin’s sales in the quarter. The company had been expected to report sales of 4.15 billion euros.

25th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

MRF Chooses SAP to Provide Software Solutions

Indian tyre major MRF Ltd has chosen business solutions provider SAP to provide assistance in its efforts to enhance its global operations through the company’s ‘SAP for Automotive’ set of solutions, which includes enterprise resource planning and customer resource management software.

As a company exporting to more than 75 countries MRF needs to be prepared for fluctuations in the global supply and demand of everything from raw materials to finished products while still meeting strict shipment deadlines. Furthermore, in the increasingly competitive global tyre market, it is essential that tyremakers such as MRF be able to timely monitor and respond to competitor’s pricing and special offers. By using SAP MRF will be able to seamlessly integrate logistical and financial data, eliminating redundant work and saving time and operational costs.

24th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Investigate Rossi’s MotoGP Tyre

Michelin has taken the rear tyre from MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi’s Yamaha back to Clermont Ferrand for a thorough investigation into its sudden failure during the Turkish Grand Prix on April 22.

Rossi experienced difficulties throughout the race and later complained of tyre problems. “I immediately started to have problems with the rear tyre,” he stated after finishing tenth. “It did get up to temperature, but then I started sliding all over: something went wrong on the right side of the tyre and it gave us a lot of problems.” It is believed the tyre began to vibrate violently on lap 14 of the race.

Pierre Alves, Michelin’s technician in the Yamaha garage, believes the problems to be the result of how the tyre has been made and not a matter of rubber degradation. “It seems that it is inside the tyre rather than what happened in Laguna [July 2006], when it was starting to blister,” he explained.

A source from within Michelin has commented that Rossi’s recent tyre problems may have been caused by a manufacturing problem rather than anything inherently wrong with the tyre’s design.

24th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan Exploring Viability of Increased OTR Production

Titan International’s board of directors has opted to take advice from financial management and advisory company Merrill regarding the financial feasibility of expanding OTR tyre production. Titan is considering investing in the production of 57 and 63-inch OTR radial tyres, sizes that are in short supply in the mining industry.

“Titan has the engineering and technical expertise to offer these additional sizes,” said Titan International chairman and CEO Maurice Taylor Jr. “We can help solve the tyre shortage in these large sizes, but first we need to obtain commitments from mining companies. Tyres are often mistaken as a commodity, but they are engineered products.”

The company has calculated the production costs of manufacturing up to 6,000 63-inch tyres per annum, and could start making these tyres next year. Such an undertaking would, however, require the company to invest in larger manufacturing equipment and moulds.

20th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New Sumitomo Tyre Plant in Thailand to Produce Falken Tyres

(Akron/Tire Review) More than 40 attendees – including tyre dealers and journalists – were invited by Falken Tire Corp. to tour its parent company’s new Sumitomo Rubber (Thailand) Co. (SRT) tyre plant in Rayong, Thailand, southeast of Bangkok.

Established in May 2005 at the Amata City Industrial Estate, the factory officially began production in December 2006.

The plant features the “Sun Production System” (also known as the Taiyo Production System), billed by Sumitomo officials as a breakthrough in automated tyre manufacturing. Three components of the Sun System – jointless process, computer control and process coupling system – result in a rounder, more uniform tyre, according to Yutaka Kuroda, president of SRT.

18th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Raw (Materials) Deal

(Akron/Tire Review) The volatility of the world’s political climate, the unpredictable weather in North America and El NiÑo in the Pacific Ocean are having very expected outcomes in terms of the cost of raw materials for the tyre industry.

Oh yes, and then there’s China. The economy of the world’s most-populous country continues to grow faster than kudzu in the South. By any western measurement, China growth curve and ravenous industrial appetite throws another concern into the long-term raw materials picture: seemingly endless increases in demand.

And, through all of this, the mission for tyre manufacturers remains as it has for many years: long-term flexibility and the ability to trim rising production costs.

But, today, the tides of the raw-material-cost ocean appear to be ebbing. Providing that world politics don’t worsen or there are several devastating weather events, tyre manufacturers believe that, despite current volatility in rubber prices, raw material costs will remain relatively stable in the short term.

18th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hayes Lemmerz SA Earns Top Toyota Supplier Award

Hayes Lemmerz International’s aluminium wheel manufacturing facility in Alrode, South Africa has received Toyota South Africa Motors Ltd.’s highest level of recognition – the overall 2006 Supplier of the Year Award. In selecting Hayes Lemmerz for the award, Toyota South Africa cited the company for its continued high level of performance in all areas. In addition to the 2006 Supplier of the Year Award, Hayes Lemmerz received special recognition in the categories of Delivery and Quality Performance.

“We are honoured to be named a Supplier of the Year by this important customer,” said Trevor Volek, managing director of Hayes Lemmerz South Africa Operations. “Our highest priority is ensuring that our customers’ strict performance standards are met and exceeded.”

16th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear South Africa to Supply OE for New Hummer

Right hand drive versions of GM’s Hummer H3, including those destined for the UK market, will be exclusively shod with products from the Goodyear stable. The right hand drive H3 is scheduled to enter production at GM’s Port Elizabeth, South Africa facility in mid-April, and all vehicles will be fitted with locally produced Goodyear Wrangler tyres. Production of left hand drive export models began last year.

The tyre fitted to the H3 is also currently manufactured by Goodyear North America for US built Hummers. According to Goodyear equipment national manager Norman Newcombe, Goodyear’s factory in Uitenhage, South Africa is one of only two facilities in the world manufacturing this particular tyre – the P256/R16 Wrangler RT/S. Mr. Newcombe added he was “thrilled” that the Uitenhage factory had been chosen to supply the H3.

“The decision is a vote of confidence in Goodyear SA‘s capabilities and facilities,” Newcombe said. He added that because production of this sort of tyre was new to the plant, significant investment had gone into production equipment and staff training.

13th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Positive Feedback from Automechanika Asia

Major Southeast Asian automotive parts and equipment exhibition Automechanika Asia has been staged for the fifth time, and has been praised as a great success. At least 5,480 buyers from 60 countries and regions visited the exhibition, held at the new Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre between 29 March and 1 April 2007. While the majority of the visitors were from Malaysia, the exhibition also attracted many attendees from other Asian countries, most notably China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. The organisers of the exhibition report that attendee feedback was very favourable, with most exhibitors responding positively to the high quality and professionalism of the buyers onsite.

As part of the Automechanika global group of trade fairs, Automechanika Asia offers a professional forum where automotive industry suppliers and buyers can meet, create partnerships and build their business in the booming ASEAN region. A total of 151 exhibitors from 18 countries & regions joined the show, including those from Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and the UK.

12th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Tire, union still working on contract

Officials at Yokohama Tire in the US are continuing negotiations with union representatives to map out a new labour contract for the company’s manufacturing facility in Salem, Virginia. Talks between the tyremaker and the union began in early March, with the current contract expiring April 15. However, union members have the option of continuing to work under its provisions should negotiations not be complete by this date.

Mike Amos, president of the local representative union, declined to comment regarding the progress of talks or what major issues are currently on the table, although the question of health care for current and retired workers, plus that of job security – a reoccurring theme in the changing US corporate climate – are considered the most important issues the two parties need to tackle.

5th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Ranked as Top Foreign Investor in Poland

Poland’s leading monthly business magazine, Forbes Poland, has named Bridgestone as the top foreign investor in Poland for 2006. This distinction is based upon data supplied by Poland’s Ministry of Economy, which reveals that the total value of Bridgestone’s investment in Poland during the year exceeded that of all other overseas companies, including leading investors such as Dell, Sharp and Toyota.

4th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bandag Shareholders Approve Sale

Bandag Inc. held their final shareholders’ meeting on April 3, at which shareholders approved the sale of the retreader to Bridgestone Americas Holding, subsidiary of the Japanese tyre major, for US$1.05 billion. Bandag will become part of the US Bridgestone operation once the deal closes, which is expected to take place during the second quarter. Bandag spokesman Bill Block said the companies are awaiting regulatory approval in Europe and Canada before the deal is completely finalised, but anticipate no complications.

4th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Racing Car Rolls on Potato Tyres

Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a racing car that is perhaps as tasty as it is fast. The environmentally friendly vehicle, the brainchild of the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), a research think tank and solution provider based at the university, has tyres made from potatoes and brake pads from cashew nut shells. The car also runs on bio fuels and bio lubricants.

The racer was originally designed with a top speed of 125mph, but following ‘tweaking’ by project manager Ben Wood it is now capable of speeds as high as 150mpg, provided there is a straight road and a tailwind available.

3rd April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors