Amtel Expand Profits 64 per cent
Amtel Holdings Holland has announced a 64 per cent increase in profits as part of its consolidated results for the 2003 financial year.
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.
Tag Archive for: Manufacturing
Pirelli and Alcatel Complete Transaction
Product NewsAlcatel and Pirelli announced today that they have completed the transaction regarding their respective submarine telecommunication businesses, after having received approval of Italian Antitrust Authorities.
Van den Ban Rejuvenates Flamingo
Product NewsVan den Ban has upgraded the summer tyres from its Flamingo programme by replacing the 2000 Sport and 2001 Performance patterns with three new alternatives, CD1000, CD2000 and CD3000.
The company has made a further move towards establishing greater manufacturing links with Europe, as once again a European manufacturer has produced the new tread designs. Van Den Ban explains that its latest move in adopting a new manufacturing supplier has been “established to create the initial foundation for further improved, high quality tyres offering impressive technological benefits.”
Together its VDB 2010 pattern, which is produced in Japan, and the now complete Flamingo range represent what the company describes as “a popular stable of modern tyres which offers something for all sectors of the market.” VDB can now offer a range that caters for severe winter conditions right through to the highly competitive high performance sector.
A-Z Formen and Maschinenbau Divide Business
Company News, International NewsA-Z Formen and Maschinenbau GmbH Germany has sold its Rubber Extruder Division and the related IPR and know-how to VMI – AZ Extrusion GmbH Germany, a newly founded company which is part of the VMI Group. All staff have been transferred to the new company.
VMI is a supplier of tyre manufacturing and rubber compound handling machinery. Plants operating in Europe, North America and East Asia will now produce the systems. Following the acquisition the VMI Group is now in a position to supply products, process know-how and service to rubber extrusion and retread customers worldwide.
The new company’s production facility and headquarters will be based in Runding Germany, whilst its sales offices will remain in Munich and Akron USA at their existing addresses. Business contacts within both locations will remain the same, however Mr Florian Fischer, currently manager of the Machine Division of A-Z will now become the new general manager. Mr Auke Dalstra, currently VP and CFO of the VMI Group will assist him.
A-Z Formen and Maschinenbau GmbH, has been supplying molds and mold closing systems for the tyre industry, special machinery for tyre mold production and components for the aerospace and other industries for over 40 years and will now fully concentrate on this sector of its business.
UK Car Manufacturing and European Car Registrations Fall
NewsIn July UK car production dipped 3.8 per cent or 5500 units, but remains 1.1 per cent up over the course of the year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). At the same time new car registrations fell 4.6 per cent. Meanwhile diesel registrations equalled their highest ever-level occupying 32.5 per cent of the total market.
Batteries for All Applications
NewsThe Delphi Corporation is one of the world’s leading technology companies, with substantial business in the automotive and transportation industries as well as other high-technology sectors, such as telecommunications and computers. Its world headquarters are at Troy, Michigan and the corporation has regional headquarters in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo. The global workforce numbers 188,000 and Delphi operates 53 customer service centres and 32 technical centres, has 167 manufacturing facilities and 42 joint ventures. Sales in 2002 were $27.4 billion (£14.8 billion)
By any standards, Delphi is a big company, so it is not surprising that its involvement in the battery business is on a large scale, with manufacturing carried out at eleven factories worldwide and a product range that covers 98 per cent of the vehicle parc. Delphi is active in both the aftermarket and in original equipment sales, where it supplies many leading manufacturers in Europe, the USA and Japan – a recent success was the winning of a contract to supply batteries worth $22 million for the Renault Megane II, Scenic II and Clio.
In Europe, battery production is at a factory in Sarreguemines, France. The plant was built in 1980 and covers 35,000 square metres on 18 hectares of land. It is certified QS 9000 and VDA (quality), OHSAS 18001 (safety) and ISO 14001 and EMAS II (environment) and production this year will top 5.4 million batteries. Worldwide, Delphi produces more than 30 million batteries.
‘One-stop’ shopping for Goodyear Customers
Product NewsGoodyear Dunlop Europe has been selected to supply replacement tyres for Volvo’s European truck tyre business through its chain of close to 1,000 truck dealers and workshops. According to Henry Johnson, managing director of Goodyear Dunlop’s European truck tyre business, Volvo customers will have the option to benefit from the one-stop shopping approach.
Michelin Determined to cut North American Labour Costs
Product NewsIn a continuation of its recent wage dispute, Michelin has started negotiating a new wage agreement. The deal, which also discusses medical benefits, concerns four plants and 5,000 members of the company’s North American workforce.
Michelin and USWA Remain at the Table
Product NewsAlthough Michelin North America Inc. and the United Steelworkers of America have been under self-imposed deadline pressure to come to terms with the negotiations on a new contract agreement, both parties remained at the table when the fixed date for a conclusion passed by.
USWA Give Michelin 11 August Strike Deadline
Product NewsThe 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.
Hayes Lemmerz Ventures to Turkey
Product NewsHayes Lemmerz International has formed an aluminum wheel joint venture in Manisa, Turkey. The new company, Jantas Aliminyum Jant Sanayi ve Ticaret AS (Jantas Aluminum Wheels), will predominantly serve the Turkish market, but will also deal with other European markets. Production is scheduled to begin at the end of 2005 and it is estimated that it will produce up to 1.5 million wheels annually.
Three companies are involved in the business venture; 40 per cent will be owned by Hayes Lemmerz, 35 per cent by Cromodora Wheels and 25 per cent by Inci Holding A.S. Financial. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
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.
