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.
During an interview with an Indian publication, Apollo Tyres’ chief of India operations commented on plans to establish a Greenfield plant in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region in the near future, while a factory in Eastern Europe may follow a couple of years later. Speaking with the Financial Chronicle, Satish Sharma said a favourable volume outlook was a key motivating factor behind the company’s plans in Asia.
Dr Hongwei Li, general manager and chief engineer of the Tire Technology Alliance, has a history of working with premium brand tyres, and the labels displayed on her relatively young company's tyres at Reifen China seem to suggest an advanced level of tyre technology. Dr Li was promoting two relatively new brands belonging to Qingdao-based TTA; Primmax and Arcron at the show, alongside two "world premieres" for the company.
Last week, US-based organisation the Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC) held its 24th annual meeting; the event’s focus was ‘developing sustainable solutions’, and during the meeting Cooper Tire research scientist Dr. Howard Colvin presented a paper, titled “Securing the Future of Natural Rubber – an American Tire and Bio-Energy Platform from Guayule.”
Pirelli will invest 105 million euros in its Romanian plant over the next five years, the manufacturer has announced. The investment, which is supported by around 35 million euros of state aid, is designed to increase the size of the factory – from 180,000sqm to 200,000sqm – the number of employees by 500 to 3,500 in total, and its capacity. Initial estimates say the company plans to raise the current production figure of 8.5 million tyres per year to 10 million at the end of 2013 and 13 million by the end of 2017.
Stertil Koni recently received the American Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) Gold Label certification for heavy duty vehicle lifts, recognising the quality of the company’s manufacturing standards. Stertil Koni is a preferred supplier to many leading companies within the worldwide truck, bus, logistics and transport industries.
Michelin Tyre has held an awards ceremony at Crewe Hall, Cheshire celebrating its UK employees with 25 and 40 years of service. The event took place on Friday 16 November and was attended by staff and friends. There were 23 recipients of the Long Service Awards; 14 who have been with the Company for 25 years, and nine who have reached the 40 year milestone. The staff members are from various roles, ranging from factory workers and commercial teams through to group services.
Maxxis International has held a grand opening ceremony attended by nearly 400 domestic dignitaries and overseas partners for its new Maxxis Proving Ground in Kunshan City, directly adjacent to the company’s Shanghai manufacturing plant. The 860,000sqm comprehensive testing facility is estimated to have cost more than US$150 million, and is thought to be the first proving ground on such a large and all-encompassing scale in China. Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd., doing business as Maxxis International, calls its new testing facility the country’s “first international standard proving ground”. Backing up this claim, Tyres & Accessories/Tyrepress.com was informed at the opening that at least one European original equipment manufacturer – Mercedes – had given Maxxis input into the facilities required at the proving ground to continue to build its OE supply, while a construction firm from Japan was consulted, though it was built by the Chinese.
British automotive success story Jaguar Land Rover is to produce Jaguar and Land Rover branded vehicles in China via its joint venture with Chery Automobile Company Ltd. The two companies laid the foundation stone for their new manufacturing facility in China on 18 November 2012 following formal approval from the Chinese Government for their joint venture and a licence to manufacture Jaguar Land Rover vehicles and new models for a partnership brand in China.
Italian truck manufacturer, Perlini Equipment SpA has delivered the first 14 of its 90 ton dump trucks fitted with Eurotire rubber from its manufacturing facility in Drobeta Turnu Severin, Romania to the Brazilian port of Santos. The partnership between the two companies is part of a joint program created to promote Eurotire products and Perlini machines. One of the largest steel makers in Latin America, Usiminas will use the trucks at its iron ore mining operations.
Following the tabling of the European Commission’s CARS 2020 Action Plan to aid the European automobile manufacturing industry, there are a number of concrete proposals that are likely to affect the industry. According to the details, which we summarise here, the commission and member states must now implement the policies announced. In order to monitor this process, and continue the dialogue with the stakeholders a dedicated process will be established called "CARS 2020".
ECI International, the organiser of Tyrexpo Asia 2013, has announced that Dr Stephen Evans, Secretary General of the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG), has agreed to open the ninth staging of the biennial event in Singapore next March.
Richard Rose has been appointed VP of sales and marketing at Titan International, the company’s board of directors announced. The appointment is effective 1 November 2012.
From 1 January 2013 Jeff Schumaker will take over as managing director of Cooper Tire Europe prior to Julian Baldwin’s retirement on 31 January. Baldwin’s retirement follows six years of leading Cooper Tire Europe and almost 20 years with the company.
“Jeff’s demonstrated leadership skills and broad range of competencies gained throughout his long and diverse career at Cooper Tire position him well to succeed Julian, who has accomplished a great deal in his years at the helm of Cooper Tire Europe,” said Hal Miller, president, International Tire Division. “Under Julian’s leadership, a high quality, cost-effective European manufacturing footprint was established and expanded with the recent opening of our new operation in Serbia. We thank Julian for his immense contributions and look forward to the strong leadership Jeff will bring to maximizing our opportunities throughout Europe and Russia.”
PricewaterhouseCoopers Automotive partner Phil Harrold has forecast a continuing “renaissance” for the British automotive industry. The analyst suggests the next five years will see the sector improve its workforce’s skills base following recent investments by major brands such as Toyota, and rises in new car registrations. Harrold commented after the firm’s auto analyst arm, Autofacts, predicted global production figures would top 83.19 million in 2013 up from 79.1 million this year.
So-called “tyre artist” Ian Cook drove across Europe recently to produce a large artwork to mark the formal introduction of the EU Tyre Label on 1 November, commissioned by tyre maker Goodyear. The British artist, who paints using tyres and radio-controlled toy cars, visited nine European countries in just four days to create the unique piece.
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