GRI makes Sri Lanka plants Covid secure, factory back at full capacity
GRISpecialist tyre manufacture GRI says it is poised to meet the challenges of its new Covid-secure working environs by “continuing to make safety its utmost priority”.
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
Birla Carbon receives IATF certification across all factories
Birla Carbon, one of the world’s largest carbon black producers, has announced that all 16 of manufacturing facilities across the globe have received the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) certification. This makes Birla Carbon the first and only global carbon black manufacturer to achieve this certification.
AMTE Power and Britishvolt move towards UK’s first Gigafactory battery manufacturing factory
CC; WikipediaRoughly a year after reports suggested the UK could become home to a gigafactory, AMTE Power and Britishvolt announced plans to investigate collaborating to build the UK’s first full cycle battery cell GigaPlant, servicing the automotive and energy storage markets. Both parties have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) focussed on each other`s complementary ambitions to create and expand an onshore manufacturing supply chain. The successful outcome of the collaboration would enable scalable production of a diverse product portfolio of lithium ion batteries to support the country’s Road to Zero targets and unprecedented transition to electrification.
Conti ‘intensively’ monitoring European tyre demand and production, but R&D budgets intact
Continental AGFollowing Continental’s first quarter 2020 financial results and reports that the company is preparing to cut its R&D budgets and European tyre production, Tyres & Accessories asked executives at the company’s Hanover, Germany headquarters to comment on the proposals. According to the tyre manufacturer, Continental is “intensively” monitoring European tyre demand and production “including a review of our tyre manufacturing footprint if we conclude that volumes will not recover to expected volumes”. Furthermore, there may have been reductions in tyre testing frequency as an inevitable result of social distancing, but overall research and development budgets remain intact.
Smithers upgrades Akron lab
Smithers, which provides testing and consultancy services, has upgraded its low temperature retraction instrumentation and capabilities at its rubber physical testing laboratory in Akron, Ohio. According to the company, the new instrument offers improved temperature control for low temperature retraction and the instrument is said to be significantly more efficient, which will improve turnaround times for customers.
Vipal Machinery aims to expand internationally
Vipal, Vipal MachineryVipal’s tyre retreading equipment development has sold 56 machines since the start of its operations in 2016. According to the company, these were sent to countries in North America, South America and Oceania. Now, the plan is planning to expand internationally.
Continental AG measures ‘encouraging’, but R&D budgets and European tyre factories could be cut – analysts
Continental AGFinancial analysts from Jefferies described Continental AG’s plan for fiscal improvements during the corona-crisis “encouraging”, according to an analyst report published 15 May 2020. That Conti’s management highlighted “positive data points in China and the European replacement tyre market”, would seem to be positive indications for the whole tyre business. Specifically, replacement tyre demand was described as “strong” in Germany. However, R&D budgets are likely to be cut and there was even the suggestion that European tyre factory numbers could also be cut back.
Pirelli UK tyre production restarts from 18 May
PirelliPirelli UK is to recommence production at its plants in Carlisle and Burton-on-Trent from 18 May 2020. Initial production will be at a reduced rate, reflecting current market demand. “The company’s top priority is ensuring the health and safety of its workers and the wider community”, an official statement added.
Cooper Tire Europe restarting manufacturing in Melksham
CooperCooper Tire & Rubber Company has announced that Cooper Tire Europe plans to begin the process of reopening its manufacturing plant in Melksham, England, in the first half of June, and expects to be producing tyres there by 15 June 2020. The facility, which primarily manufactures motorcycle and racing tyres, has been temporarily closed since late March due to coronavirus.
Ferrari and Lamborghini back in production
FerrariItalian supercar marques Ferrari and Lamborghini announced that their top-end vehicles went back into production during the first week of May.
SMMT March numbers do not reflect extent of lockdown damage – KPMG
SMMTAnalysts have warned that the dire effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on car production are not fully reflected in the March figures, released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Andrew Burn, partner and head of automotive at KPMG UK said that while the March data shows that conditions were difficult, April’s numbers will show the full extent of the effects of the UK lockdown on the sector.
Brembo Italian brake manufacturing operations reopen
BremboEffective Tuesday 28 April 2020, Brembo has reopened its Curno, Mapello and Sellero (Italy) Italian brake manufacturing operations, product at which was temporarily suspended on 16 March 2020 due to the emergency Covid-19 situation.
UK car production fell 37% in March 2020 – SMMT
SMMTUK car manufacturing fell -37.6 per cent in March, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 78,767 vehicles left factory gates in the month, some 47,428 fewer than the previous year, as the coronavirus crisis caused UK car plants to close. 140 days-worth of lost production have been lost as a result.
Italian auto suppliers ‘at risk’ if supply chain remains closed – Brembo chairman
Assero Gear via Flickr; CC BY-ND 2.0Italian automotive suppliers are at risk if measures that have shut down the supply chain aren’t lifted next week, Brembo chairman Alberto Bombassei has said.
Cooper Tire reopening US and Serbia tyre factories
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is set to open its manufacturing plants in the United States and Serbia next week (the week commencing Monday 27 April). The facilities have been temporarily closed for approximately five weeks due to coronavirus and its impacts. The company’s plant in Melksham, UK remains temporarily closed. And Cooper’s Mexico plant is to close temporarily.
