USWA Give Michelin 11 August Strike Deadline
The leadership of American automotive manufacturing workers, United Steelworkers of America (USWA) have given Michelin North America Incorporated until Wednesday to negotiate a new labour contract.
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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Michelin Invest in Northern Ireland
Product NewsMichelin is to invest a further £14.5 million into its Northern Ireland manufacturing facility. According to the Northern Ireland News Letter the company intends to make its Ballymena site the largest truck and bus tyre plant in the UK.
Bank of England Raises Interest Rate to 4.75 per cent
Product NewsThe Bank of England raised interest rates yesterday for the fifth time since November. The rate increase of one quarter of one per cent, to 4.75 per cent, is seen as a way of cooling the UK’s booming property market and slowing the nation’s growing burden of consumer debt.
Cooper’s New Role to Control Motorsport Activities
Product NewsJames P Keller, has been announced as Cooper Tire and Rubber’s new vice president, competition and enthusiast products.
Based in Stow, Ohio, Mr Keller will assume his new role as of 15 August. His responsibilities will now focus on directing, administering and coordinating the company’s motorsport activities, this is to include both the Cooper-Avon racing interest in the UK and Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels based in Ohio.
“We are beginning to capitalise on the enormous global opportunities for Cooper Tire in the area of motorsports,” said Phillip D Caris, VP sales and marketing. “This newly-created position will help us continue to develop, promote, grow and maximize performance results and brand awareness from the targeted market niche of competition, performance and enthusiast products for Cooper’s North American tyre division as well as for our global motorsports activities.”
Mr Keller has held a variety of roles within his 21-year career at Cooper. Since May 2003 he has served as the plant manager for Cooper’s fluid systems manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Ohio. Prior to this role, he served as the vice president of purchasing for three years.
Goodyear Receives Grant from US Congress
Product NewsGoodyear is to receive a $2.25 million (£1.2 million) grant under the Defense Appropriations bill, passed last week by US Congress. The company’s Akron Technical Center will benefit from the majority of the financial injection, which will fund research and development of aircraft tyres to be used on America’s new Navy and Air Force joint strike fighter jets.
Amerityre Plans to Revolutionise Tyre Industry
Product NewsAfter passing US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Amerityre is set to launch its polyurethane car tyres into the market within the next 12 months. The American corporation believes that it will initiate a conversion from rubber to polyurethane tyres throughout the whole industry and estimates that the complete conversion will take 12-15 years. Tyres & Accessories will take a look at this unique concept and in particular at the manufacturing differences and advantages that it holds over its rubber alternative.
Bridgestone Expands in Thailand
Product NewsBridgestone has officially opened its third tyre plant in Thailand. The newly completed site, situated in the city of Chonburi, is predicted to produce 2,500 radial truck and bus tyres a day by the end of June 2005. What’s more the company estimates a further production capacity of 5,000 tyres a day by the end of 2006.
Carbon Black Businesses Discuss Joint Venture
Product NewsMitsubishi Chemical Corporation and Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd. are discussing the details of a possible joint venture.
Goodyear to Invest $50 Million in Colombian Plant
Product NewsGoodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced that it will invest $50 million (£27 million) in plans to expand its facility in Cali, Colombia. The plans will see the plant produce radial medium truck tyres in addition to its existing output. This signifies Goodyear’s commitment to the growth of Colombian exports in certain Latin American countries, according to Eduardo Fortunato, president of Goodyear’s Latin America region.
Crypton Buy Tractor Charger
Product NewsCrypton Technology Group has bought Traction Charger Company Ltd. The acquisition will see the group’s product portfolio expand to include battery charging equipment, says sales and marketing director, Walt Koloska.
Eberspächer Cooperate with Calsonickansei
Product NewsGerman exhaust specialists, Eberspächer, and Japanese automotive component supplier, Calsonickansei, are to “intensify their collaboration” by setting up a marketing joint venture in Paris. The company will operate under the name of ACE Alliance CalsonicKansei Eberspächer S.A.S.
Bandvulc’s Knights Achieve Record Production
Product NewsBandvulc Tyres’ has announced an all time high in its sales volumes, following its achievement of record production levels at its Ivybridge factory.
The company believes that the increase in performance is all thanks to the £1 million investment, which refurbished the company’s facility with a ‘Camelot’ theme, earlier this year.
Bridgestone Supports Suzuki Training Scheme
Product NewsBridgestone has become the first tyre manufacturer to actively support Suzuki’s apprentice technician training programme.
Ruedatec Joins Bandag Dealership
Product NewsRuedatec has officially joined the European network of Bandag dealers. Its new retreading shop and administrative building have now been formally inaugurated in the presence of Bandag’s Peter De Cabooter, sales director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Danny Van Essche, EMEA marketing director.
Titan Wheel Corporation Employees see Record Summer Bonus
Product NewsEmployees of Titan Wheel Corporation of Illinois, a subsidiary of Titan International, Inc., will receive a record summer bonus.
The supplier of mounted wheels and tyre systems will pay out an average of approximately $2,500 per employee. A bonus of $2.20 per hour versus the previous record of $1.45 per hour paid in 1998.
Titan president and CEO Maurice Taylor Jr, stated: “I would like to congratulate all the Quincy employees – there is not a better team anywhere. Every night the talking heads on TV say that manufacturing is dead in the US, but the Quincy Titan employees have proven that hard work can build a successful company.”
