VMI appoints Dr Edward Holweg as COO
Prof Dr Edward Holweg will be appointed as the new COO of VMI Group effective 1 April 2017. Dr Holweg succeeds Guido Roncken MBA, who held this position for over 10 years.
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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Avon increases Cobra tyre production
Avon Tyres has increase production its Cobra motorcycle tyre in response to the successful launch of the new Triumph Bonneville Bobber.
The Cobra tyre is the OE fitment on every Bobber that rolls off the production line, with the bespoke front and rear tyres specially designed for this premium custom bike.
Chem-Trend expands in Eastern Europe
Chem-Trend, the release agent manufacturer, has acquired the release agent business of its long-time distribution partner in Romania, Rubio Trading & Consulting SRL. As part of a planned growth strategy in Eastern Europe, Chem-Trend Romania SRL has been established through the acquisition. Chem-Trend Romania will continue to support the local market in the existing industries of polyurethane and rubber moulding, thermoplastics processing, die casting and tyre manufacturing.
Cimcorp appoints new leadership
Major organizational changes have been announced by Cimcorp. the robotic gantry-based and tire-handling solutions supplier. Three senior executives have been appointed to Cimcorp’s Group Executive Management, two sales units have been merged and a more highly integrated software department has been formed. Masatoshi Wakabayashi, CEO, Cimcorp, says, “The changes have been made in response to […]
Mesnac and Rockwell partner in “smart” tyre manufacturing cooperation
On 22 February Mesnac signed a strategic agreement with Rockwell Automation in Beijing. Yu Mingjin, vice president of Mesnac, and Bob Buttermore, managing director of Rockwell Automation Greater China, signed the agreement on behalf of the two respective companies.
American Process and Birla Carbon announce nanocellulose tyre joint venture
On 2 March 2017 American Process Inc. (API) and Aditya Birla Group’s, Birla Carbon signed a joint development agreement to explore the technical and business potential of combining carbon black and nanocellulose to improve tyre performance.
Initial evaluations suggest synergies between the companies’ Birla Carbon and BioPlus nanocellulose products when it comes to lowering the rolling resistance of tyres. Over 70 per cent of the world’s carbon black is consumed by the tyre industry, with carbon black constituting 25 per cent of the tyre weight.
Klarius achieves ISO 9001:2015 accreditation
The UK’s largest manufacturer of aftermarket emissions components, Klarius Products, has become one of the first businesses in the UK to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality systems. The new standard replaces ISO 9001:2008 as of September 2018, with companies required to attain the new standard before this date to ensure compliancy.
VMI launches Remote Guidance
VMI has introduced what it calls VMI Remote Guidance, which is designed to ensure “immediate support 24/7 on VMI equipment.” The system uses high resolution video to enable VMI’s remote support engineer to guide the customer through the faultfinding procedure in order to quickly resolve the issue without the need to travel to site.
Beumer debuting green tyre handling system at Tire Technology
Beumer Group, a global supplier of automated material handling systems, is giving the first live demonstration of its Tire Tray System at Tire Technology Expo 2017 Hannover, Germany, from 14-16 February.
Pirelli managers acquitted in historic asbestos case
On 19 December nine ex-Pirelli managers were acquitted of charges of manslaughter and aggravated bodily harm. According to local news sources, the case brought by 28 factory workers who either died or became seriously ill due as a result of asbestos exposure while working for Pirelli in Milan in the 1970s and 80s.
Qingdao Doublestar hosts global strategy conference
Qingdao Doublestar’s machinery division is a regular exhibitor at the RubberTech exhibition in Shanghai and the 2016 edition was no different for the factory equipment supplier. However, while the Reifen China exhibition was taking place in the neighbouring hall to RubberTech, Doublestar’s tyre manufacturing operation was hosting its “PCR Tire Industry 4.0 Intelligent Factory Completion & Safe Tire Global Strategy Conference” on 3 December in Qingdao, Shandong Province.
Dave Martin is new director at Standards Testing Labs
Standards Testing Laboratories, Inc. (STL), the world’s largest independent testing facility for tyres, wheels and related automotive components, has appointed Dave Martin to the position of director of Technology.
Michelin issued inconsequential noncompliance by NHTSA
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an inconsequential noncompliance to Michelin North America’s petition for its 186 Uniroyal Tiger Paw AWP II passenger tyres.
VMI breaks ground on Poland plant
VMI Group broke ground on its new manufacturing plant in Leszno, Poland on 2 November 2016. In the first phase, the company is building a 13,500 m2 facility on its 8 hectare plot of land with goal of extending the current manufacturing capabilities of the company. VMI Group now has entities in 8 countries on 5 continents.
VMI wins case against Safe-Run
Netherlands-based leading tyre manufacturing machinery maker VMI reports that it has won its first patent invalidation case against Chinese firm Safe-Run. As part of ongoing legal action commenced by VMI against Safe-Run, VMI filed for invalidation of a number of Safe-Run patents. Recently, the Chinese Patent Review Board has ruled in this case and invalidated the first Safe-Run patent in its entirety as the patent “was based on prior art”.
