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.
The sale of unsafe second-hand tyres has become a major contributor towards road fatalities in South Africa, according to the body representing South Africa’s tyre manufacturers, the South African Tyre Manufacturing Conference (SATMC).
29 managers have lost their jobs at Goodyear Dunlop UK. The job losses are part of a restructuring programme, which will cut around 100 jobs in total. The management cuts will almost exclusively be from positions at the company’s TyreFort headquarters in Birmingham, with about 69 job losses coming from non office-based staff. However, at least some of the jobs lost at Hi-Q and TruckForce depots are a question of administration, with employment simply transferring to the various holders of the new franchise agreement instead of Goodyear Dunlop itself.
The Continental Tyre Group announced their choice for the position of managing director. David Smith will step into the role at the end of December when current managing director Brian Smith leaves the company after thirteen years in the job.
After several attempts they have now finally succeeded: Bandag Corporation heir, Martin Carver, has sold his and his mother’s majority stake in the company to Japanese tyre giant Bridgestone. It was probably high time for the American retreading specialist to make such a move, as in recent years they have been operating in a seemingly unfavourable environment. If Bridgestone had also chosen to go down the same path as Goodyear and Michelin, establishing its own equity retreading businesses, Bandag’s market environment could have been set to become even more unfavourable.
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After several attempts they have now finally succeeded: Bandag Corporation heir, Martin Carver, has sold his and his mother’s majority stake in the company to Japanese tyre giant Bridgestone. It was probably high time for the American retreading specialist to make such a move, as in recent years they have been operating in a seemingly unfavourable environment. If Bridgestone had also chosen to go down the same path as Goodyear and Michelin, establishing its own equity retreading businesses, Bandag’s market environment could have been set to become even more unfavourable.
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As part of its plans to expand into east Asia, Turkish corporation Sabanci has agreed to purchase a controlling stake in the Indonesian tyre-yarn firm PT Branta Mulia Tbk.
In the last month the subject of metrification has caused something of stir. But if the reports that such a blanket conversion would cost billions are true, it is easy to see why. The furore all boils down to a new proposed EU directive designed to standardise all measurements to the metric system – and in so doing literally decimate inches. EU directive 80/181 also seeks to do away with the kind of imperial/metric dual markings that are currently commonplace with supermarket weights and alcoholic drink quantities for example. According to reports, the threatened legislation aiming to ban all non-metric measurements is scheduled for introduction in 2010 – only three years away.
(Akron/Tire Review) In the United States and elsewhere, structural (non-wage) costs for manufacturers, as a percentage of the total costs, are continuing to rise. According to a study released in September by the U.S. National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), The Manufacturing Institute and the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, structural costs increased from 22.4% to 31.7% of the total costs, compared to similar costs for similar companies in nine trading partner countries in 2003. “(This) sharp rise in these non-wage costs represents a significant and long-term problem for our nation’s manufacturers and America’s economy,” said John Engler, president of the NAM.
Tigar, based in the Serbian town of Pirot, has a domestic market share of about 52 per cent. This strong foothold on the local market is at least partly due to technological support and know-how supplied by Michelin. At the same time the privately owned company sells a significant proportion of its annual production (3.2 million tyres) abroad. In particular France and the UK are important export markets for Tigar. Currently there are certain restructuring measures taking place in the company, which could also affect the future of the Tigar brand in the Michelin Corporation as well as the future of the factory itself.
Fresh from the success of pre-selling over 1 million winter tyres by August this year, Deldo has announced plans to further its interaction with the UK market, arranging to meet clients at next May’s Brityrex trade show. Tyres & Accessories contacted Deldo marketing manager, Rutger Veerman, and also learnt that the company and its key Chinese manufacturing partner, South China Tire & Rubber Company Ltd (Guangzhou) is investing in improving product production.
To get an idea of the scale of Deldo’s operation you need only look at the company’s annual turnover. In recent years Deldo have achieved an annual growth rate of approximately 10 per cent. Wanli remains Deldo’s best selling budget product, with a range of 160 (in 2007) passenger, light truck, SUV, 4×4 and truck tyres. Deldo is likely to sell 2 million Wanli products this year.
Proper casing handling has a strong role to play in protecting the profits of retreaders. Shearography and ultrasonics are important, but who would do without that first hand visual inspection for buffed casings, before they enter the retreading process proper?
However, manhandling a truck tyre is increasingly frowned upon by the Health and Safety Executive. There are pieces of equipment that will lift and position a casing, others that will spread and spin the casing. But, earlier this year, AEP exhibited a new tyre inspection bay in Essen that highlights the company’s ability to provide bespoke handling solutions to the tyre industry.
(India/Rubber Asia) After over 70 years of its existence and continuous development, China’s tyre industry is on firm ground. The Chinese tyre-making sector has now evolved into a huge, full-fledged industrial system that continues to attract international attention. However, there are obstacles to be overcome. After becoming a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), China’s tyre industry entered the era of diversified ownerships. And, the industry transformed itself into three types of ownerships – state-owned or state-controlled, private, and foreign-funded enterprises – from a wholly state-owned system. Thus, China’s tyre industry has entered a critical period and, in the process, is facing new challenges and responsibilities.
Bridgestone was honoured with the Qualitas Award at the Fiat Suppliers’ Convention 2006. In a ceremony at the Lingotto location in Turin, Bridgestone was cited for its constant pro-activity and support in the development of tyres for Fiat Group car models. The convention is an annual event at which Fiat informs suppliers of current status and future programmes, as well as acknowledging partners who have distinguished themselves through high-quality performance during the previous year.
Singaporean wholesaler Evergreen Global has announced the extension of its United brand truck and bus radial range. Produced in what the company describes as a “premium manufacturing plant” in China, the products have reportedly increased in popularity in the European markets because of their consistency and quality and performance.
“These Tyres prove their durability even in the extreme conditions of the Middle East and Africa,” company representatives told Tyres & Accessories, adding: “Evergreen is keen to increase its presence in the European markets and looks forward to having new partners.”
A “flood of illegal Chinese and Indian-made tyres” has caused two influential Indonesian tyre manufacturers to close. Aziz Pane, head of the Association of Indonesia Tire Companies told local newspapers that PT Intirub and PT Mega Safe Factory were the first casualties.
In 2004 PT Intirub (Indonesian Tire & Rubber Works Ltd) ran three factories and manufactured approximately 3.5 million radial and bias tyres. Around 66 per cent of production was described as “internationally competitive” and the management had previously described Great Britain as one of its markets. In 1995 the company established a technology cooperation with Cooper-Avon and, two years later began producing radial tyres. E-marking and ISO 9002 followed shortly afterwards.
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