Manufacturing Archives - Page 251 of 258 - Tyrepress

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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Software Saves For Hayes Lemmerz

Software supplier MSC, working with Hayes Lemmerz, has reduced time and materials costs in automotive wheel manufacturing and design by using its MSC Acumen and MSC Fatigue software to perform durability analysis. Software simulation has allowed the design of lighter, longer lasting products which can save millions of dollars in manufacturing, maintenance and warranty costs. Khosrow Namdarian, senior structural analyst with Hayes-Lemmerz, stated “The advantage is that if you make 4 million of just one aluminium part per year and can save a quarter of a pound of aluminium per part, that adds up to one million pounds of aluminium saved in materials costs on just one part.”

18th April 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Firestone Truck Tyres Found To Be Okay

NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has closed an investigation into Firestone’s truck tyres STEELTEX, saying that there is no design- or manufacturing defect. Good news for a change for troubled Bridgestone/Firestone in the USA.

15th April 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper And Pirelli Restructure Alliance (Update)

Cooper Tire & Rubber and Pirelli have announced the restructuring of their three-year-old alliance in the US market. The object is to improve the competitive strength of both companies and both agree that, while the alliance had proved generally positive, a new approach would be beneficial in pursuing separate brand strategies. From July 1st, Pirelli will resume responsibility for sales and customer servicing of the Pirelli brand in the USA, while Cooper will continue to manufacture certain sizes of Pirelli tyres for sale in the US, as well as providing logistics support. The two companies will investigate the feasibility of Pirelli manufacturing selected UHP Cooper tyres in the future. It is intended that the transition regarding existing Pirelli dealers will be smooth, ensuring that customer service is not adversely affected. The changes in the alliance are mutually acceptable and both companies continue to regard themselves as partners in technical and other related matters. D. Richard Stephens, President of Cooper Tire, and Francesco Gori, General Manager, Pirelli Tyre Worldwide, issued a joint statement, as follows: “Our companies have learned to know and appreciate each other since the beginning and are looking forward to a new and different phase of our alliance which will benefit customers for both brands.” Under the terms of the original alliance, signed in February 1999, Cooper managed the sales and distribution of tyres in the replacement markets of the USA, Canada and Mexico. Pirelli developed products for the US market and strengthened brand awareness via participation in motorsports.

8th April 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Butler Engineering & Marketing S.r.L.

Based in Rio Saliceto, about 20 miles west of Modena, Italy, Butler Engineering & Marketing originated in 1998. It started as an entrepreneurial venture by a few people with a common vision to change the way tyres were fitted, bringing into line the technical developments of the tyre, wheel and automotive industries.The first four years were dedicated to product development and contacts with the main customers were established. Then, in 1993 and 1994 the network of agents was brought up to a satisfactory level, according to the company’s potential in terms of manufacturing capability.It was in late 1994 that the growth boom started. The company now employs 70 professionals. Turnover in 1995 doubled, while in 1996 another increase of approximately 50% was achieved. Since then a steady increase in turnover and output has occurred.Butler specialises in manufacturing tyre changers, which are very original and innovative in terms of design, construction and operation. All Butler tyre changers can easily be identified because of their special features; in fact, they have a unique ergonomical design and are almost all powered by compressed air. Power and comfortable controls allow an effortless and effective operation, even with the toughest and most delicate tyre-rim combinations.All parts of the machine touching the wheel or tyre are made of plastic or rubber, to avoid any kind of damage. For instance, an exclusive and patented mount/demount head, made from synthetic material, is always in touch with the rim edge, thus reducing considerably the stress generated during a mounting or demounting operation.The Butler range of equipment also includes a complete series of electronic wheel balancers, made according to the latest technology, eg the ADI (Automatic Data Input). Butler has established a mutual cooperation with the R&D departments of important car, tyre and wheel manufacturers, which are using Butler tyre changers to test the mountability of the most advanced tyre/rim combinations.Approvals or agreements have been signed with Mercedes, Porsche, Bridgestone/Firestone, Dunlop, Continental and others. BBS and Lorinser are promoting the Butler Airdraulic to all their wheel dealers. At the assembly plants of Ferrari, Porsche, M5, Audi 8, Fiat and others, the first equipment tyres are mounted with Butler Airdraulic tyre changers.Technical improvements are not focused just on machines, but also on tools like the so-called ‘HM’ (Half Moon) tyre bead lever, which dramatically improves the operator’s comfort and efficiency.A consumer’s video has been produced to increase the knowledge and skill of operators on handling the toughest and most delicate low profile tyres and aluminium rims with the Butler Airdraulic tyre changer. “The Butler Passport to Higher Performance” is an important contribution to spreading knowledge on how to handle rims and tyres.It is a manual containing general and specific information about rims, tyres and the proper way to handle them. Also it includes a section related to the use of Butler tyre changers. This manual is available on the Butler home page www.butler.it where other interesting information can be found.

25th March 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

MRF Limited

MRF was established in Chennai, India, in 1946 as a general rubber goods manufacturer and gradually progressed into tyre production in 1961.Today, the company enjoys the distinction of being the largest tyre company in the Indian subcontinent and the 13th largest in the world. The Far Eastern Economic Review “Annual Review 200”; rated MRF as one of India’s top ten companies and among the 200 most admired companies in Asia, for the last seven years consecutively.MRF was also rated the No. 1 Ethical Company in India by the Business World magazine. MRF operates six manufacturing plants in India at Tiruvottiyur, Arkonam, Kottayam, Goa, Medak, and Pondicherry and manufactures the largest range of tyres in India´s heavy duty truck/bus tyres, light commercial vehicle tyres, passenger car tyres, off-the-road/industrial tyres, 2-wheeler tyres and farm service tyres. Five of these plants and the conveyor belting factory at Arakonam are ISO 9002 certified. The plant at Pondicherry is QS 9000 certified. MRF Tyres are exported to over 65 countries in the Americas, Africa, Middle East, Australia and Asia.With the focus on exports, the company plans to increase market share and start operations in several new countries. MRF also manufactures conveyor belts and precure tread rubber, and its subsidiaries manufacture toys, speciality paints, leather and leather products.

25th March 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Memorandum Of Association Signed For Kumho Purchase

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed this week regarding the purchase of 80 per cent of the tyre manufacturing business of Kumho. The buying consortium is headed by JP Morgan Chase and includes US equity fund Carlyle Group. At an estimated $1.5 billion, the sale – which still has to be finalised – would be South Korea’s largest-ever asset sale to foreign interests.

4th March 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Philippines Plant Closure For Goodyear

Goodyear has announced the closure of its factory at Marikina in the Philippines on February 1st. Overcapacity and weakening demand were cited as the reasons. The plant employed 175 people and produced 1,200 tyres a day. Goodyear Asia Region tyre manufacturing director Harold Smith said that the Philippines tyre market was highly competitive “with a flood of low-cost imports from China and South East Asia.” The company has another factory in the Philippines, at Las Pinas, and some associates from Marikina may transfer there.

8th February 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Losses At Tenneco Automotive

Tenneco Automotive has reported an 8 million dollar loss in the fourth quarter of 2001, this completes a 130 million dollar loss for the year, compared to a 40 million dollar loss for the previous year. The company is to close eight facilities worldwide, with the loss of 900 jobs. This will form part of a global lean manufacturing and distribution initiative.

1st February 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

OE Supplies From Goodyear May Be Cut

Goodyear Tire and Rubber is considering cutting sales to vehicle manufacturers due to declining profits. The company may also shift some manufacturing to sub-contractors in an attempt to improve margins. Goodyear claims that OE supply could be cut by as much as 24 per cent in three years. 30 per cent of Goodyear tyre sales are to vehicle manufacturers. Unless the tyre manufacturer can secure price increases for OE tyres production could be cut by as many as 5 million units. There have also been suggestions that Goodyear may sub-contract private label production to third parties.

24th January 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Insolvency At Intra

On January 16th, aluminium wheel manufacturing group Intra (Bruchsal/Germany) filed for insolvency. Elements of the group are the ILG casting facility, Intra Fleischmann + Wacker, Exip Autoparts and leasing company Intrex. The insolvency administrator has the task of saving as many of the 260 employee positions as possible and the intention to restructure the company, which is a key OE wheel supplier to Opel. Negotiations with credit institutions and suppliers are ongoing and production is being maintained.

18th January 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Spanish Moves For Goodyear

Goodyear Spain has reached an agreement with Neumaticos JM Martinez which will assist the tyre distributor switch core business from distribution to manufacturing. JM Martinez is to cease distribution of Marshal and Lassa and will concentrate on selling Goodyear brands. The Spanish press speculate that this may open the door to a Goodyear takeover of JM Martinez.

17th January 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

ISO 14001 Recommended For Goodyear NA

All of Goodyear’s North American manufacturing plants have been recommended for certification to ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard. The plants were audited by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Ltd. John Loulan, vice president of North American Tire operations said, “North American Tire is well ahead of the requirements set by major automotive manufacturers and also ahead of internal goals set for the end of 2002.” ISO 14001 is an international standard defining the requirements for environmental management systems used by an organisation to identify and manage potential impacts on the environment from its activities.

17th January 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Ford Will Sell Kwik-Fit

Goldman Sachs has been appointed to handle the sale of Ford’s Kwik-Fit Group as part of a move to concentrate efforts on core vehicle manufacturing businesses. The sale is expected to raise over one billion pounds (1.63 billion Euro). Ford bought the company from Chairman Sir Tom Farmer for 1.6 billion pounds (2.61 billion Euro) in 1999. Last week Sir Tom was emphatic that whatever the future of Kwik-Fit, he intended being involved.

16th January 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Manufacturing Plant Closure By Hayes Lemmerz In The US

The world’s largest wheel manufacturer, Hayes Lemmerz, which is facing heavy financial difficulties and is struggling for survival, has announced the closure of its manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky in the middle of next year. 235 employees will lose their jobs. The closure will entail costs of about 55 million US-$ for the current fiscal year.

28th December 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Restructuring For Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.

US company Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. has announced a new corporate structure from Dec. 1st. The reorganised company will be known as Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding Inc (BFAH), which will be the holding company for a number of subsidiaries. John Lampe will be CEO and president of BFAH. The change has been made to take advantage of better financing rates and to re-focus on core businesses.

28th December 2001/by Tyrepress Editors