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.
According to sources at Bridgestone Commercial Solutions, 78 per cent of all off-highway tyres and wheels are in the 25 to 29-inch size range. An important and difficult process in the servicing of these large-sized wheels is the removal and installation of the O-ring.
Leading European aftermarket trade associations Aica, Anfia, Airp, Clepa, Egea, Feda, Federpneus, Figiefa met at the IAAM13 conference that ran as part of the AutopromotecEdu section of the recent Autopromotec exhibition. IAMM13 focused on providing companies and professionals operating in the aftersales business some foresight of trends and developments of the aftermarket sector in Europe and a number of strategic countries, such as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China), threreby offering them the opportunity to find new international channels for their sales and marketing activities.
Hankook Tire and the Hungarian Government have jointly announced details of further investment in the tyre manufacturer’s European production facility, located 60 kilometeres south of Budapest. Hankook plans to invest some 313 million euros in adding a further manufacturing unit to the site, which will create over 950 new jobs and further boost Hankook’s production volume in Europe, bringing capacity up to 17 million tyres per year.
Continental’s increased specialisation in the commercial tyre segment was discussed at the launch of its latest “third generation” coach and bus tyres, but this reorganisation, begun from 1 January, has wider implications for applications beyond TBR products. The managing director of Continental Commercial Specialty Tires (CST), Dr Michael Maertens explained that the manufacturer’s new business strategy, indicated by the restructuring of this business unit, contains initiatives for future growth with particular focus on industrial and off the road material handling, underground mining and tyres for a specialised application you may not have expected to have swift growth potential.
As of 1 August 2013, Continental’s Chinese activities will be overseen by Executive Board member Dr. Ralf Cramer. The incumbent head of the company’s Chassis & Safety division will take up the Shanghai-based position in order to “strengthen” Continental’s organisation for “sustained fast and profitable growth in China.” His successor within the Chassis & Safety division will be appointed at a later date.
Maxxis International has reported another strong year of growth for the 12 months to January 2013. Results from the last financial year show Maxxis tyre sales figures surpassing US$4.5 billion for the first time, up over $2 billion in the last five years alone. The company reports that despite an adverse global economy and substantial investment in research and development, increased manufacturing capacity, its new academy and latest testing facilities, Maxxis has still succeeded in posting net earnings of well over $1 billion.
High levels of grip and traction are not just important in vehicle tyres, and to emphasise this Continental has shed some light onto an oft-overlooked part of its business. In addition to manufacturing commercial, consumer and off-road tyres, the German manufacturer has supplied rubber compounds to adidas for the past few years. These compounds are used to produce non-slip soles for more than 30 models of men and women’s running and trekking shoes. The tyre maker says the Continental sole has extremely effective non-slip qualities.
“We are delighted that the adidas running shoes with our rubber compound technology developed in Hanover are helping many professional athletes to achieve new personal best times and break course records,” comments David O’Donnell, head of R&D for passenger car and light truck tyres at Continental. “This shows the potential long-term benefits of looking beyond your immediate industry for new technology and solutions. During the development of our premium products, which stand out primarily due to exceptionally good grip in the wet, we even looked at gripping mechanisms from the animal kingdom – cats and polar bears in particular – and also focused on the production of rubber from dandelion plants.”
Apollo Tyres’ Chennai facility in southern India has won the Platinum prize in the large size category of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI) Quality Systems Awards for Manufacturing 2012. This highest-level award was presented to Apollo Tyres by Saurabh Chandra, secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Government of India.
Singapore-based YHI International’s Advanti Racing propriety brand has been named ‘official supplier’ to the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Through YHI International’s subsidiary, YHI Manufacturing (Singapore) Pte Ltd, the group has inked an agreement to supply Advanti Racing Alloy Wheels for all Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 race cars through to the end of the 2015 championship.
Michelin Aircraft Tire has introduced a mobile application for aircraft mechanics, private pilots, airlines, military operators and others who have an interest in or use for aircraft tyres. The app will draw upon Michelin’s expertise in this field and aims to serve and educate customers on how to better maintain their Michelin tyres, to maximise tyre performance and minimise costs.
Michelin’s Ballymena, Northern Ireland manufacturing facility has hosted a visit from 27 independent truck and bus tyre dealers. The Michelin Truck Professional (MTP) dealers were invited to see Michelin’s new X MultiWay 3D steer and drive tyres during their manufacture. Guy Heywood, commercial director of Michelin’s truck tyre division, told assembled dealers: “We’re competing in a fiercely competitive market, but one in which we have grown Michelin Group market share by three per cent in the last three years.
Although year-on-year sales were down 12.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2013, Cooper Tire & Rubber nevertheless managed to more than double operating profit and net income during the January to March period. Net sales amounted to US$862 million, a decrease of $123 million compared with the same period a year ago. Operating profit was a first quarter record of $97 million, up 103 per cent from the first quarter of 2012 and 11.2 per cent of net sales. The company reported net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company of $0.87 per share, or $56 million, in the first quarter. This is 160 per cent higher than the $22 million, or $0.34 per share, for the same period last year.
Vulcanisation is known to be bottleneck in tyre production that can significantly influence a factory’s output. Siemens specialises in the field of automation and as such it aims to provide the tyre industry with “greater efficiency” in this particular area. The company displayed its product range at February’s Tire Technology Expo in Cologne, Germany, and Tyres & Accessories spoke with Stefan Morgenstern, senior business development manager for the company’s Industry Automation division, about the ways Siemens can enhance efficiency in the tyre manufacturing process.
On 7 May, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations presented its LaVergne tyre facility in Tennessee with a rebate totalling more than US$350,000; the plant received this rebate under the Tennessee Valley Authority and Nashville Electric Service’s ‘EnergyRight Solutions for Industry’ programme, which is aimed at helping manufacturers implement energy efficiency and demand-reduction improvements. The rebate was initially given to Bridgestone Americas in March.
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co president Akira Nobuki has announced the completion of the company’s new tyre plant in Malaysia (TTM). Toyo is progressing towards a three-region global supply system as outlined in the company’s 2011 mid-term business plan, with factories in North America, Japan and Asia. Toyo’s Asia operations are in a process of expanded motorisation where further growth of demand is expected. Toyo is positioning Asia as a vital strategic market that will provide a boost to its business foundation.
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