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.
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.
Dunlop is set to transfer its European motorsport tyre production to plants in France and Germany, following confirmation from the company that there are no viable plans for its manufacturing operation to stay in the UK when the lease for its Erdington home expires on 1 September 2014. The company reports that it has begun consulting with affected employees and Union representatives of the Erdington site. 241 jobs, mainly in the manufacturing part of the operation will be affected, however company representatives told Tyres & Accessories that Dunlop remains committed to motorsport tyre production and as such wants to retain talent – especially in specialist fields such as research and development – wherever possible.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has signed an agreement with Chengshan Group Company Ltd. According to the Findlay, Ohio-based tyremaker, the deal begins with the commitment that the Chinese joint venture Cooper Chengshan Tire (CCT) business will be independently valued and is said to position Cooper to resume regular financial reporting. Tyres & Accessories understands that the deal sets a floor value of at least US$435 million for the total company and perhaps more if the independent valuation comes in higher. Cooper’s share price rose 2.75 per cent (correct at time of publication) in response to the news.
Most carbon black manufacturing units in the western world, especially in North America and Europe, are being forced to shut down their operations because of the heavy competition they are facing from low cost Asian manufacturers. That’s the view of Tech Archival analysts, who said as much in a report entitled “China Carbon Black: Assessment, Opportunities & Forecast Up-to 2018”, which was published 24 January.
A British scientist has designed a new type of catalytic converter that could cut fuel consumption and manufacturing costs. Dr Benjamin Kingsbury, a scientist from Imperial College London, suggests that the new prototype could reduce fuel consumption in a standard vehicle by up to three per cent. Furthermore the new design uses up to 80 per cent less rare metal, a development that could significantly reduce costs for vehicle manufacturers. Catalytic converters are expensive to manufacture because they use precious metals such as platinum to eliminate emissions. These metals currently account for up to 60 to 70 per cent of the cost of the component.
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