For the second year running, Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co. Ltd, trading as Maxxis International, has been named one of Asia's Fab 50 companies by Forbes magazine.
In explaining Maxxis' inclusion on the list, Forbes cited the company's record revenue in 2012, boosted by demand in emerging markets including Indonesia, China and India. Forbes also noted that Maxxis' net profit grew by 86 per cent last year to $530 million.
Maxxis has announced the planned extension of its 4×4 tyre range in the UK, confirming the full availability of every tyre in it. The company says this move is a result of increasing customer demand from distributor Stapleton’s. The manufacturer is also readying itself to contest the King of the Valleys endurance event in August – its tyres were used by the winner of the inaugural contest in 2012, and Maxxis is confident the fierce competition will be the perfect showcase for its range. Maxxis Marauder, Bravo, Bighorn, Trepador, Mudzilla and Creepy Crawler tyres will now be available to UK dealers through the Stapleton’s distribution network.
Maxxis produces tyres for the range of weather conditions, from the high performance PRO R1 summer tyre to the MAPW performance winter tyre. Despite originating in Taiwan, the company’s research and development department has even created a range of Nordic tyres specifically designed for Scandinavia and its severe weather conditions. These extreme tyres come with advanced tread compounds, high density sipes, and a rectangular shoulder profile that helps expand surface contact and provide extra safety in all conditions, meaning they work differently to other winter tyres due to the severe weather conditions.
Jet Tyres’ premises in Canvey Island recently received a complete overhaul courtesy of Stapleton’s and Maxxis. The facelift included internal and exterior paintwork, signage and point-of-sale items have all been refreshed and the already popular retailer is reporting instant results in terms of increased sales.
Maxxis is supporting the drifting ambitions of one of its promotional team of Maxxis Babes. Michelle Westby has set her sights on achieving her semi-pro licence by the end of 2013 having taken up drifting a year ago and the tyre supplier that originally made her part of its motorsport marketing presence is supporting her driving ambitions with sponsorship, tyres and website assistance. Maxxis International managing director Derek McMartin says the relationship is “proving to be mutually beneficial.”
High performance cars are by definition a cut above the average family run-around. That means they’re far more demanding on their tyres. Consequently have to be more careful when it comes to choosing replacements, says Stapleton’s.
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.
According to a recently published consolidated financial summary for Cheng Shin Rubber, the Taiwanese tyre maker’s net sales and profits are expected to steadily climb over the next couple of years.
Maxxis International has appointed Jas Ghata-Aura to the new position of online content developer. Maxxis says the appointment forms part of its heightening focus on digital communications. The tyre manufacturer, driven by the belief that online and social media platforms are fast becoming the most effective ways of communicating directly with consumers, has emphasised new media channels in growing its brand already and boasts a strong existing following on its social media channels as a result. It is hoped Ghata-Aura’s appointment will help to strengthen and build Maxxis’ presence, which in turn will give more existing and potential customers the opportunity to interact with the brand and its assets on a daily basis.
Last year the Giti Tire Group increased its revenue by 2.1 per cent while its net income remained virtually at 2011 levels. The company told our sister publication Neue Reifenzeitung that revenue increased year-on-year to 3.02 billion euros; in 2011 the total revenue for Giti Tire and PT Gajah Tunggal, with their factories in China and Indonesia, was 2.96 billion euros. Operating profit jumped 42.9 per cent to 258.53 million euros, a figure that represents an 8.6 per cent yield on turnover. Net income decreased 0.3 per cent year-year to 113.17 million euros.
Maxxis has announced its plans to increase its presence on social networking platforms. New Maxxis marketing manager Amy Colbourne explains that the company’s increased activity on social networks will allow it to offer better customer support, as well as allowing customers to speak directly to the company more easily. The brand has recently launched a new Maxxis Babes website and currently has Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest and Google+ accounts.
Maxxis International has promoted Amy Colbourne to the role of marketing manager. Colbourne started with Maxxis International in 2010, when Maxxis made the decision to invest heavily in marketing communications in order to boost its brand profile. She is now responsible for all aspects of marketing in the UK, including activity to support Maxxis distributors and as such the new role will see her take direct control of the marketing budget.
Noting the present wide ranging diversity of fitments in the current 4×4/SUV market, Stapleton’s notes that the opportunities open to the retailer present a challenge in requiring a wide breadth of stock to meet increasingly specialised demand. While retailers can expect the usual range of premium brand tyres in this segment from the wholesaler, it says there has been a particular focus in this segment on providing a variety of lower-priced private brands.
Maxxis launched its latest 4×4 product, the Trepador Competition at Autosport 2013. The tyre, designed to improve control on difficult terrain, has a multi-stage staggered shoulder pattern and nylon belt reinforced construction, and is designed to offer dealers the possibility of good margins. Maxxis invited specialist 4×4 tyre dealer Jerry Hunt of SETYRES in Portsmouth to join the manufacturer, and he declared himself impressed with the brand and new product.
Acorn Infinity Motorsport has announced the signing of ex-Team Japspeed driver Stephen Biagioni, for the 2013 Maxxis British Drift Championship. The news follows details of the team’s plans to compete in all three classes in this year’s championship, doubling the number of cars competing to four; the man known as “Baggsy” finished fifth out of 33 competitors in the 2012 series’ Super Professional class, helping Japspeed claim the Team Championship. In 2013 he joins founding members Mark Lappage and Ian Waddington, and new academy driver in the Semi Professional class, Martyn Lowe in the expanded Acorn Infinity Motorsport team, which will look to improve on its fourth-place finish in 2012.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
