Michelin Archives - Page 231 of 323 - Tyrepress

Tyre industry pioneers, Michelin has a long history. Having begun in 1889, Michelin is now the second-largest tyre manufacturer in the world after Bridgestone and larger than both Goodyear and Contineantal.

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Michelin and Kirkby Settle Copyright Dispute

Kirkby Tyres & Wheels has agreed to end the distribution of a number of Double Coin brand tyres that Michelin claimed infringed the French manufacturer’s intellectual property rights. According to the agreement, Kirkby will cease distribution of the tyres and also remove all versions of “Michelin-copyrighted content” from its websites within an agreed period of time. In return Michelin is dropping its legal action for “infringement and other issues.”

In May Michelin informed the media that it was filing suits against tyre dealers selling the Double Coin brand because of tread patterns similar to those on Michelin truck tyres. The French tyremaker had previously (in December 2005) alerted more than 5,000 tyre dealers that while the treads may look the same on both tyres, the look-alikes may not deliver the same grip or longevity as an authentic Michelin tyre.

23rd November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Cutting 20 Jobs at Upgrade Plant

(Akron/Tire Review) A mere ten days after the announcement that Michelin North America planned to spend $4.2 million upgrading its Pictou County, Nova Scotia plant, the company is eliminating 20 positions from this Canadian facility. Sheri Somerville, spokeswoman for the tyremaker, said the jobs in the company’s group services section are disappearing as part of an effort to improve plant efficiency.

“The positions are gone but we are working to find new positions for the workers,” she said. “Some of the people are eligible for retirement. We are trying to figure out what will work best for each individual.” Group services are provided to all the plants, not just those in which they are located.

22nd November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Raise Truck & Agri Tyre Prices in US

Michelin North America has announced price increases for some of its tyre product lines. Commercial truck tyre prices will increase by up to six per cent on Michelin and BFGoodrich brand replacement tyres and up to four per cent on MRT retreads sold in the United States, effective January 1, 2008. Agricultural and Compact Line tyre prices will be raised by up to seven per cent on products sold in the United States, also effective as of January 1, 2008.

21st November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Retread Technologies – 10 Years in North America

November 16 marked the tenth anniversary of Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT) operating in North America. Since its beginning in 1997, MRT has grown to include 45 franchisees, with 77 retread locations across the US, Canada and Mexico, and during this time the retreader has opened a tread pressing plant in Covington, Georgia. The company doubled the capacity of this facility in 2005 and two years later built a second tread pressing plant in Querétaro, Mexico.

“The pace at which Michelin Retread Technologies has grown since its inception is a tremendous tribute to the quality and workmanship of our franchisees, as well as the value created by the innovative MRT process and products,” said Jean-Michel Guillon, chief operating officer, Michelin Americas Truck Tires. “Being able to apply some of our new tyre technologies to the retread products certainly has brought significant value to the fleet customers.”

20th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Feel the Effect of Rising Material Costs Next Year

Thomson Financial has reported comments made by Michelin CFO Jean-Dominique Senard to the effect that the increased prices now being paid for the raw materials used in tyre production will “have an impact” on the group’s 2008 results, although he added that it is too early to indicate the extent of this impact.

“The recent movements that we have experienced are going to have an impact and the question is how much,” said Senard. A clearer picture of the effect raw material prices have had will most likely be provided early next year when Michelin’s 2007 full year results are made public, he added. For 2007 the impact of rising raw materials upon annual results should be, Senard reports, around 60 million euros, give or take a few million.

20th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Trims Labour Cost/Sales Ratio in 2007

Michelin is on track to improve its labour cost/sales ratio by 2 per cent annually, claim analysts. A report from Deutsche Bank shows that the group employs approximately 73,000 people in what are considered high labour cost countries; in 2007 natural attrition causes such as retirement saw 4,000 people from these countries leave Michelin. On top of this figure a plant closure in France saw 800 jobs cut; restructuring in Italy led to 200 redundancies; in Japan 500 jobs disappeared due to restructuring; and a thousand left the company in Spain as the result of ‘accelerated pre-retirements.’ Overall, 6,500 workers – 9 per cent of the workforce in high labour cost countries – left the Michelin group in 2007, a number Deutsche Bank calls “impressive.” The bank adds that, even if some of these workers are replaced – and less than half are expected to be replaced at a much lower wage rate – the Michelin group will be on track to meet the aforementioned labour cost/sales ratio improvement and to improve group productivity by 20 per cent by 2010.

20th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Supplier for Australian GT Championship

Management of the exotic sports car series the Australian GT Championship made public on November 14 news that it has selected Michelin as official tyre supplier for this race and the Porsche Drivers Challenge for the next five seasons. “The Australian GT Championship is delighted to have reached agreement to extend its already long term relationship with Michelin to the end of the 2012 season with this new five year deal,” Australian GT Sportscar Group director Rachael Wagg said.

“The plan is for a partnership with Michelin not only as a tyre supplier but also to develop marketing and promotional opportunities for both parties,” she added. “The Australian GT Championship together with the Porsche Drivers Challenge has shown outstanding growth over the past two seasons and our highly competitive, prestigious category fits perfectly with a legendary company like Michelin.”

20th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Increasing Capacity in China

Michelin reports it is increasing its passenger car tyre capacity in China by 50 per cent, to 15 million units, and doubling truck tyre capacity to 4 million. This significant increase in capacity will mostly serve the local market. The tyremaker states it aims to grab an 11 per cent share of the passenger car tyre market in China (8 per cent in the OE segment, 15 per cent in for replacement market tyres) and 9 per cent of the truck tyre market. Turnover, which at present is 1 billion euros or 6 per cent of group sales, is expected to almost triple in the next five years.

19th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Sales Appointments at Bandvulc Tyres

Plymouth-based retreader Bandvulc Tyres has added four key personnel to its Sales division; two of these operating as Regional and National Sales respectfully and two appointments to its fleet support department.

Sales Director, Philip West comments: “We have had a stable growth period of sales over recent years and need to allow for further growth with the addition of key people to our sales team”.

The appointments of Richard Crummack and Simon Arnold to the Sales team bring experience to the organisation, Richard having worked with Michelin previously and Simon with Pirelli.

15th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

MNA Helping Consumers Thank Emergency Workers

(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America’s Michelin Driving America’s Safety program is accepting nominations to honour local firefighters and emergency medical workers. Through to November 23, consumers in the US can nominate deserving emergency workers to receive a set of Michelin tyres for their emergency vehicle. Nominations are being taken at www.michelinman.com. In 2008, a total of 50 individuals across the US will be chosen as recipients of the tyre donation, MNA said.

“Nominating a firefighter or EMT in your community is a great way to recognise the heroic activities they perform everyday,” said Parmeet Grover, Michelin brand director for MNA. “Through Michelin Driving America’s Safety, we have the ability to reward these heroes and impact their safety on the roads by ensuring some of the neediest emergency responder vehicles are riding on new Michelin tyres.”

14th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to End Pax System R&D

Michelin described it as “revolutionary” and “our biggest technological breakthrough since we patented the radial tyre in 1946,” yet news indicates that the French manufacturer is turning its back on the product about which it once said “we haven’t been this proud since we invented the radial.”

The director of research at Michelin’s Technology Center in Ladoux, France is reported to have said that the company has halted further research into its Pax run-flat system as there is “no big market demand” for the product. He added that demand for the Pax was not sufficient to justify the expense of the research invested into it.

13th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Cut Some, Upgrade Other Operations at Stoke Facility

The Michelin factory at Stoke on Trent is to cease its calendaring operations, and investment in the plant over the next few years will be directed towards retreading operations. According to a Michelin spokeswoman, the production of calendered steelcord, which currently supplies the company’s factory in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, will end in March 2008. Approximately 40 jobs will be lost as a result; Michelin is seeking voluntary redundancies, and will attempt to place those who wish to remain with the tyremaker in other suitable roles. The remaining 1,300 jobs at the Stoke on Trent factory are secure, added Michelin, and the Ballymena plant will be supplied from other Michelin facilities.

The Stoke site seems likely, however, to benefit from an upgrade to its Remix retreading operations. Michelin reports that plans are afoot to invest in a “multi-million” pound programme that will provide the technology required to retread tyres incorporating Michelin Durable Technologies. Research into the proposal will be carried out next year and implementation of the upgrade will begin in 2009, with a 5-year timeframe slated for its completion.

13th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Technology – What’s Next?

(Douglasdale, South Africa/SA Treads) People often ask me what drew me to the tyre business. Why, the dynamism, creativity and sophistication of the industry, I promptly reply. At that, I’m usually met by blank stares and looks of incredulity, as if the notion of designing and making a tyre is akin to watching grass grow. But they can be forgiven for their misplaced scepticism as they’re likely unaware of the research, development and design genius that takes place long before a tyre leaves the production line. Modern tyre technology is not only sophisticated, it’s setting new, previously inconceivable benchmarks. So where is tyre technology headed and what will the tyre of the future look like? We ask those in the know.

When it comes to strategic focus and future developments, every global tyre maker has its own agenda, but our investigations revealed a number of common buzz words around this issue, primarily, interactive, green and fuel-efficient. Evidently, these are the main trends driving tyre technology today.

12th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Celebrates Double Milestone in Canada

Michelin’s Waterville facility in Canada has in November produced its 25th millionth tyre, a double milestone for a factory also celebrating its 25th year of manufacturing tyres for the commercial truck and earthmover market. Tyre number 25,000,000 was an XDA5 long haul drive tyre.

“I’m always saying that we like to do things ‘big’ here at the Waterville plant, so we’re very happy to celebrate two ‘big’ achievements at once,” said plant manager Grant Ferguson. “Our employees certainly have a lot to be proud of because they have worked hard and as a result we’ve enjoyed many significant accomplishments over the years. But, to produce our 25th millionth tyre in our 25th year is very unique indeed and twice the reason to be proud.”

12th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Names Additional AxioBib OE at Agritechnica

Michelin is confident that its AxioBib tyre has become the benchmark for 250-hp to over 500-hp tractors – the largest, fastest and most powerful units on the market, and at Agritechnica 2007 in Hanover it has announced a number of manufacturer certifications that uphold this claim. The Michelin AxioBib has been granted approval for the new Challenger MT975 and the most recent model of Case’s Magnum 335, meaning that the tyre is now fitted as original equipment on the following models of tractor:

John Deere 8530 (360 hp).
Magnum 335 (368 hp) manufactured by Case.
New Holland T8050 (368 hp).
Challenger MT975 (570 hp).
Fendt 936 (360 hp).
Class Xerion (365 hp).
JCB 7230 (230 hp).

12th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors