Report: Hankook scouting South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama locations
Hankook Tire Co. is scouting potential sites in South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama for its planned US tyre plant, according to US news sources.
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.
Tag Archive for: Manufacturing
Vipal gives Nova Prata factory an export focus
NewsBrazilian retread materials manufacturer, Vipal used Autopromotec as the platform to announce that it is re-purposing one of its Brazilian production plants. At the same time the firm launched a couple of new treads. The 25th edition of the show coincides with the fact that Vipal itself turns 40 this year, making it something of a multi-celebration for the company.
Perhaps the most important news for European and other export markets is the Brazilian company’s decision to repurpose one of its three manufacturing sites to focus exclusively on products destined for international exports. “This is an important decision that Vipal is taking regarding the foreign market. Thus, we will be able to provide all the required structure to serve with excellence over 90 countries around the world," said Plinio de Luca, Vipal's sales and marketing director say before the show.
Tech celebrates loyalty in Bologna
NewsDuring Autopromotec week Tech Europe honoured the contribution of a number of loyal distributors who had reached milestones in terms of service and distribution. Plaques were presented by Gary Armstrong (senior vice-president global sales and marketing at Tech International), Martin Blakey (vice-president sales and marketing, Europe) and Walter van Loon (vice-president sales and training, Benelux) to the following distributors:
Dunlop may end tyre manufacturing at Fort Dunlop in 2014
UK NewsDespite an illustrious history dating back to 1917, 30 May could mark the end of an era for Dunlop as officials confirmed that its motorsports tyre manufacturing operation will have to find a new home away from the historic Fort Dunlop site from 2014 if their new landlord doesn't lease it back to them again. According to the landlord, Canmoor, the site has been sold to neighbouring Jaguar Land Rover. Therefore it looks likely that Dunlop Aircraft Tyres (a completely separate company from Goodyear Dunlop) will be the only tyre manufacturing operation remaining in Birmingham after the end of the current lease. Dunlop's annual motorsport tyre output is currently believed to be around 200,000 units. 180 manufacturing staff are employed there along with roughly 120 tyre testing, sales and marketing personnel.
Q&A with Gary Nash, president of Yokohama Tire Mexico
NewsYokohama Tire Corporation’s (YTC) new Yokohama Tire Mexico (YTMX) subsidiary officially began importing consumer, commercial and off-the-road (OTR) tyres in Mexico on 1 May. Incorporated in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico, according to the company, YTMX is squarely positioned to give YTC long-term strategic advantages. With this in mind YTMX’s president, Gary Nash, answered questions about what those advantages are, the long-term vision for the company and the positive impact dealers can expect.
Reports: Apollo sells South Africa operation
NewsLocal new reports suggest Apollo Tyres has sold Apollo Tyres South Africa (ATSA), including the Ladysmith passenger car tyre plant, to Japan-based Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) for $60 million. The company will reportedly retain the Durban plant, which manufactures truck and bus radial tyres and off-highway tyres used in the mining and construction industries. All employees of the company, other than those in the Durban plant, will continue with ATSA, the company said in a statement.
Amiens closure is inevitable, so what’s it mean for the rest?
International News, NewsWith no buyers seeking to purchase it, the closure of Goodyear’s Amiens Nord tyre manufacturing facility now looks inevitable. And according to various French news reports, France's government has now faced up to the fact that this means the loss of up to 1,200 jobs.
Indeed closure is now the only option on the table after the French Agency for International Investment (AFII) contacted 57 potentially suitable of which just eight said they would be interested. Of these five signed confidentiality agreements and two non-binding offers were presented, but France's Economic Redevelopment Ministry said "after careful examination of the plans put forward," no candidates were in a position to present a binding offer.
Re-focusing on Cooper: T&A interviews Jeff Schumaker
NewsAt the start of 2013, Jeff Schumaker took over as managing director of Cooper Tire Europe moving to the company’s Melksham headquarters in order to take up the role. But Schumaker’s appointment wasn’t a UK debut, but rather a return to the country and to familiar faces. Schumaker’s first stint in the UK took place roughly a decade ago in 2002/2003 when he was mentored by then MD Ron Shield and worked alongside his immediate predecessor in Melksham, Julian Baldwin, who was then marketing and motorsports director. Roughly four months after Schumaker took up the reigns at Cooper Tire Europe, Tyres & Accessories visited the company’s Melksham headquarters to see what direction the company is taking following the most recent change of leadership.
ESCO Ringmaster addresses O-ring issues
NewsAccording 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.
AutopromotecEdu hosts IAAM13 conference
International News, NewsLeading 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 invests 313 million euros in Hungary factory expansion
NewsHankook 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.
Conti's Commercial Speciality Tires ‘a clear statement to the market’ – MD
NewsContinental’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.
Conti appoints new China head
NewsAs 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: Sales have grown US$2 billion in five years
International News, NewsMaxxis 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.
Conti aiding the fleet of foot
NewsHigh 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.”
