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.
Amerityre Corporation. Richard Steinke, president and CEO of Amerityre Corporation, today announced that Amerityre has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Ace Products, LLC, for a proposed transaction involving the licensing of certain technology and the sale of certain manufacturing equipment and inventory.
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co posted a net loss of $7 million in its second quarter of 2005, a downturn fuelled by the strike at its Texarkana, Arkansas, tyre plant earlier this year and rising raw material costs. Cooper also lost $2 million overall for the first half of 2005.
Net sales for the second quarter reached $511 million, up slightly from sales of $509 for the same period last year. For the first six months, Cooper racked up net sales of $1 billion, up 4 per cent versus the first half of 2004.
Since John McNaught took over at Bridgestone UK there have been a number of changes including some high profile acquisitions in the commercial vehicle sector. But in general the developments of the last few years can be summed up in one word, growth.
It has been a “phenomenally busy period,” John McNaught told Tyres & Accessories at the company’s Warwick, headquarters. “Bridgestone is in a very high period of growth and for all our staff it is a tremendously busy and rewarding time,” said Mr McNaught explaining that this is part of a long-term plan developed in conjunction with the company’s European management based in Brussels. John McNaught praised the efforts of all his team and highlighted the fact that the company has been awarded the prestigious Investors in People award.
Bridgestone Corporation has announced that it has settled its patent infringement dispute with major Chinese manufacturer, Shandong Chengshan Tire Co, Ltd.
The dispute centres around the patents the Japanese manufacturer acquired on the design of its R288 and M858 radial truck and bus tyres. Bridgestone reports that in November 2004, the company “discussed continuously” with Shandong Chengshan asking it to cease production of its CST66 and CST88 Shandong Chengshan tyres. Bridgestone contended that these radial truck and bus tyres closely resembled the design of its R288 and M858 products.
Alliance Tire Co has announced that it has won five tenders totalling $2 million to supply tyres to the US Army for three years.
Alliance will supply tyres for development work vehicles as an authorised supplier of the US government. According to the company, Alliance tyres have been tested in US Army laboratories, and found to be suitable for trucks, forklifts, field transportation vehicles, and development work vehicles.
(India/Rubber Asia) Leading Indian tyre maker, Apollo Tyres Ltd, reported a net profit of 166.9 million rupees (£2.2 million) for the first quarter of the current financial year, ended 30 June, up 13.6 million rupees (£180,000) compared with the same period last year.
Nanjing Automobile Corporation (Nanjing) has beaten competitor, Shangai Automotive (SAIC), and acquired the assets of the MG Rover from the administrator, PricewaterhouseCoopers. The news owner reports that it intends to revitalise the MG brand and create a range of vehicles from manufacturing centres in China and the UK.
Terra-S, located in Owingen, Lake Constance, Germany has developed a modern alternative to the spare wheel to meet the requirements of a modern puncture situation. The practical Tire-Repair-Kit, which contains sealant, a high performance miniature compressor and additional accessories, is designed to replace the spare wheel completely. Terra- S claims the system saves space, fuel and weight provides “much easier puncture-help than a strenuous wheel change.”
The Tire-Repair-Kit is applied by unscrewing the valve using the provided valve remover; the punctured tyre can then be filled with liquid tyre sealant. Once the valve is screwed in again the compressor can inflate the tyre. As the tyre moves the liquid fills the holes, hardening in any punctured areas, the company says.
Delphi has added 290 new shock absorber references to its 2005 aftermarket parts catalogue, giving the company 97 per cent coverage of the European vehicle parc. Delphi’s shocks are categorised as either “Delphi de Carbon Comfort” twintube or “Delphi de Carbon Performance monotube.” To help customers find the right part quickly, each vehicle marque is listed alphabetically and then in numerical order according to model and engine size. Columns across the page show the correct monotube and twintube references suitable for the front or rear of the vehicle.
(Akron/Tire Review) Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand) Co, a subsidiary of The Yokohama Rubber Co, held its grand opening ceremony on 15 July.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) has sold its steel cord plant in Scottsburg, Indiana., to Hyosung America Inc. a subsidiary of Hyosung Corp. Terms were not disclosed, but the deal includes a 10-year, $650 million supply contract in which MNA will purchase finished steel cord for tires from Hyosung America.
Some weeks ago, ThyssenKrupp Technologies AG sold its Harburg-Freudenberger GmbH mechanical engineering business to Luebeck, Germany-based L Possehl & Co mbH. Under new ownership, the company will produce machinery for the rubber and tyre industries.
(Akron/Tire Review) South Gate, California-based Arnco, a supplier of polyurethane flatproofing products for off-road vehicles, opened its new processing plant in Berea, Ohio, last week. The company said the new 112,000-square-foot facility will “significantly expand its production capacity and help meet the growing demand worldwide for products that eliminate flats and reduce costly downtime for equipment operators.”
Monbat may not be a well known brand in the UK at the moment but according to the company all that is about to change. The brand has been driving sales across Europe and having signed a contract with Squadron Batteries earlier this year the UK is Monbat’s next target.
Partly owned by Texaco Chevron, Monbat has been manufacturing batteries for over 45 years. The company specialises in heavy duty, high specification batteries for rail and military applications, as well as manufacturing UPS batteries for the telecom industry. Its car and commercial vehicle batteries are produced in the same manufacturing facility and to the same quality standards says the battery manufacturer.
Continental Tire North America, Inc. (CTNA) has filed an unfair labour practice charge against the United Steelworkers union (USW) in relation to its Bryan Ohio OTR tyre manufacturing facility. The announcement follows attempts by Rodos Giants (part of the Roesler Group) to buy the plant. The union refused to enter into a labour agreement with the company.
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