Court delays Cooper Chengshan anti-merger case
In the latest installment in the on-going Apollo/Cooper merger saga, a Chinese court has postponed a hearing on a case brought against the combination by Chinese manufacturing business Cooper Chengshan.
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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G&S Tyre Services appointed Linglong truck tyre distributor
NewsThe Al Dobowi Group, UK importer of Linglong TBR tyres, has announced a new distribution partnership with Essex’s G&S Tyre Services. Al Dobowi says G&S has developed a reputation for providing an exemplary level of service to the UK fleet market and demanding vehicle operators, while G&S identified Linglong as a brand with UK market potential.
Maxxis is in it for the Long Haul
NewsPerhaps more renowned for its car and bike ranges, Maxxis provides a solution for a wide variety of long and medium haul applications, manufactured with a tread compound intended to increase durability and shoulders designed using Virtual Intelligent Prototyping (VIP) technology to reduce wear. Maxxis explains that its VIP technology combines a series of computer-aided analysis programs that lay out a framework for each tyre’s design. The system factors in pressure points at varying inflation levels and contact points to simulate cornering, acceleration, braking and the effects of strain and wear.
Sailun encouraged by European truck market ‘progress’
NewsSailun says the last three years have seen it establish a stronger truck tyre presence in Europe, from what it describes as “a relatively very low” base. The company states that its approach has been through research and development, epitomised by the creation and growth of a 400-strong Technical Quality and Research Centre at its company-owned manufacturing plant in Qingdao.
Boost for Jaguar Land Rover at Frankfurt show
NewsAt the Frankfurt Motor Show, Jaguar Land Rover announced an investment approaching £1.5 billion to introduce an all-new technically-advanced aluminium vehicle architecture in forthcoming models. To support this strengthening of the Jaguar product portfolio 1,700 new jobs will be created in the UK at the company's advanced manufacturing facility in Solihull.
End of month acquisition vote for Cooper shareholders
NewsCooper Tire & Rubber shareholders will vote on the company’s acquisition by Apollo Tyres at a meeting scheduled for 30 September. Cooper stockholders of record as of the close of business 30 August 2013 are entitled to vote at the special meeting, which will take place in the US city of Cleveland.
Hankook to build US factory
NewsA report in the Financial times says that Hankook will shortly begin work on building its first plant in the USA as part of its plan to increase its presence in North America. The move is seen as a key part of Hankook's ambition to become one of the world's top five tyre manufacturers.
Fleets base tyre choice “on performance rather than application” – Goodyear
NewsGoodyear is nearing the launch of its new generation of European market truck tyres, the Kmax and Fuelmax steer, drive and trailer tyres. The new tyres represent an interesting departure from other premium brand manufacturers’ portfolio strategies, taking the emphasis off the type of operation – long or regional haul for example – and put it on the fleet’s economic priority. Speaking to Tyrepress ahead of the official unveiling of the Kmax and Fuelmax, Marc Preedy, Goodyear Dunlop UK and Ireland commercial director, said that the altered focus of the new tyres reflected a changing market.
Bridgestone responding to ‘evolving’ UK truck tyre market
NewsA leading player in the UK commercial vehicle tyre market, Bridgestone is about to embark on what it says is “the most important product launch from Bridgestone for many years”, when it introduces a new, user-friendly naming protocol for its line of regional TBRs. Product and marketing manager Andy Mathias spoke to Tyrepress about the questions currently posed by the UK CV tyre market, the manufacturer’s new tyres, and why he believes its “true fleet tyre solution offer” will continue to provide “compelling business opportunities” in the truck market.
Win a Citroen DS3 in Primewell competition
NewsStapleton's (Tyre Services) Ltd has teamed up with Giti Tire to launch a consumer competition featuring the exclusive Giti brand Primewell.
Any customer who buys a pair of Primewell tyres from a participating key dealer and answers a tyre safety question will be entered into a prize draw to win a new Citroen DS3 Sport, fitted with Primewell Sport 910 tyres.
Mouldmaker Greatoo looking to expand into OTR markets
Company NewsChinese mould manufacturer Greatoo Incorporated is reportedly planning to establish intelligent factories for the production of large OTR tyre and speciality as well as other apparently high-end moulds as part of a so-called “structural adjustment strategy”. The move is being seen as a way of strengthening the core value of its company by focusing on the highest value sectors.
RHA voices fears over fuel increases
NewsAt a time when the UK economy is at last seeing positive signs of recovery, we are now at risk of being faced with high fuel prices as a result of the current tension in the Middle East, says the Road haulage Association. Commentators have observed that despite the fact Syria is not an oil producer, there is a strong possibility that the Brent price of oil may go as high as $150 per barrel.
Starco launches YouTube channel
Company NewsStarco has introduced a further enhancement to its new website, publishing a series of videos about the company and its activities and products. “Continuing to grow and become a global company is exciting, but it also presents many new challenges”, explains Group marketing manager Brian Lorentzen.
ContiLifeCycle helping NI fleet to achieve savings
NewsContinental says its tyre management procedures are helping one Northern Ireland transport and logistics business to achieve significant savings. Surefreight, one of the leading logistics companies operating between Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe, turned to Continental for support last year, resulting in its annual spend on tyres falling by £59,000 when compared with 2011.
Union ratifies new Goodyear Deal
NewsBridgestone Americas’ new contract with the United Steelworkers of America was ratified earlier this month, and now it’s the turn of workers at six Goodyear Tire & Rubber plants in the US to give their deal the thumbs up. Workers at Goodyear’s Tonawanda plant, the last to ratify the deal, voted in favour of the four-year contract on 22 August; the USW union says that said members across the six plants approved the deal by a 3-to-1 margin.
