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.
While the news that Goodyear is looking to exit its international joint venture with Sumitomo Rubber partly precipitated a 10 per cent intra-day leap in Goodyear’s share price, commentary on the latest financials published by Sumitomo suggest that the JV break-up the two companies are currently in arbitration over could be bad news for the Japanese tyre maker.
Valeo has signed up to exhibit at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2014 and will use the event to highlight its hugely expanded commercial vehicle parts programme. The Valeo stand will be specially arranged so that parts distributors, fleet operators and end users see first hand the multi-specialisms Valeo has in CV parts and also the high quality manufacturing and support that is available from the company.
Dunlop will test nine separate specifications of rear tyre at Australia’s Phillip Island circuit as it seeks to avoid similar problems to those that caused the Moto2 and Bridgestone-supplied MotoGP races to be shortened in October 2013. The circuit was resurfaced in 2013, and its abrasiveness caused the organisers of the Australian grand prix to […]
Swedish manufacturer Husqvarna’s decision to move its manufacturing operations to Poland led to specialist tyre and wheel supplier Starco’s Polish operation assuming responsibility for the supply of complete wheel assemblies and aftermarket spare parts for Husqvarna lawn tractors.
The fact that Shanghai-based SD-International has three brands making up its 4×4 offering is really helping the business compete. According to the company, SD International continues to increase its profile in the 4×4/SUV market sector in the UK and Europe with Zeta, Pace and Maxtrek which cover all applications.
Analysts are expecting growth in UK car output during 2014 and beyond as newly introduced models move to full-scale production. This all comes despite a 0.3 per cent dip in output during the January 2014 compared with January 2013. Exports are also said to be showing signs of recovery, with around 50 per cent of exports go to EU.
Sailun’s Vietnam factory, its first manufacturing facility outside China, is now fully online having opened officially opened on 30 November. The factory is currently expected to supply 7.8 million tyres annually to the Middle East, South East Asia and South America, employing 850 people.
This year, Goodyear Tire & Rubber celebrates its 60th anniversary as a key supplier to the USA’s most popular motorsport – NASCAR. The tyre maker says its NASCAR tyre supply is one of the longest-running supplier relationships in racing, and in all of sports history. “All of us at Goodyear are extremely proud to celebrate 60 consecutive years of supplying race tyres to NASCAR and its drivers,” said Stu Grant, Goodyear’s general manager of global race tyres. “Since 1954 our involvement in NASCAR has been a proving ground for tyre development, helping Goodyear provide superior performance and innovation both on and off the track.”
Sustainable materials company Lehigh Technologies has elected Lamar Chambers, former senior vice president and chief financial officer at Ashland Inc, a leading specialty chemical company with more than $8 billion in revenue, to its board of directors. Chambers led Ashland’s financial organization during a period defined by multiple high-profile acquisitions and significant change in the […]
Styron has added two new Sprintan-branded rubber grades for use in tyre manufacturing. According to the company, Styron’s Sprintanrubber portfolio offers “high performance solutions” to answer specific tyre industry needs. The range includes rubber grades with enhanced wet grip and wear performance, as well as grades that provide a good balance between traction and rolling resistance.
Schrader International, the leading global manufacturer of sensing and valve solutions, was presented with Frost & Sullivan’s 2013 North American Price Performance Value Leadership Award in Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) in early February. Frost & Sullivan recognized Schrader as the best-in-class leader for the design and manufacturing of valve and sensing technologies for TPMS, in both the original equipment and aftermarket channel
According to the recently published report by TechSci Research “Iran Tyre Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2018”, the tyre industry in Iran is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 7 per cent during 2013-18, in revenue terms, as a result of continuous increase in tyre demand from OEMs and replacement market. One of the major reasons for growing OEM demand can be attributed to the fact that more than 50 per cent of the total fleet of automobiles in Iran is over 25 years of age. Furthermore passenger car tyre sales are already dominant in Iran, with a market share estimated at 70 per cent.
Now UL/Malaysia’s sustainable raw material for more fuel efficient tyres is in commercial production, Ekoprena is being showcased at this week’s Tire Tech Expo.
Ekoprena representatives report that they will be explaining why this material is “the only way for tyre manufacturers to be at the forefront of green innovation and to claim ownership of the most ecologically sound tyres.”
Goodyear Dunlop says it is “not possible” to retain motorsport tyre production at its current UK location, and therefore this will transfer to plants in France (Montlucon) and Germany (Hanau) later in the year. Nevertheless, upon urging from MP for Erdington Jack Dromey on 5 February, the Prime Minister indicated he’d investigate the matter more closely. He told the House of Commons that I am happy to look carefully at it and see what can be done” in order to “get a good outcome.”
The member of Parliament for Erdington, the constituency when Goodyear Dunlop is based has criticised the “outrageous and irresponsible” way in which the tyre manufacturer has opted to close its Dunlop Motorsport factory in Birmingham. Jack Dromey (Labour) said the closure confirmation came two days after a summit with business secretary Vince Cable.
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