Michelin Archives - Page 310 of 321

Continental “Expects To Sell National Tyre Service This Year”

Manfred Wennemer, management board chairman of Continental AG, is reported to have said that the company expects to sell its UK equity chain National Tyre Service by the end of this year. Earlier this year, Continental UK closed National’s truck tyre operations when it formed ContiNetwork; a partnership with independent truck tyre service providers. This left 210 retail outlets in the National chain. A spokesman in Hanover confirmed Mr. Wennemer’s comment, but would not reveal any further details. The news was only revealed because Continental had to enter a figure into the fourth quarter accounts which was picked up by analysts.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Formula 1: The winner will not only be a tyre, but Michelin

Product News

It was December 1999, when Michelin announced its comeback to the Formula 1. In the 80s the French company held a leading position and withdrew after having proved to itself and the world that it could build unbeatable racing tyres. When the 2001 Grand-Prix season starts in Melbourne on March, 4th it will also be the start for an additional tyre supplier called Michelin. BMW/Williams, Mild Seven, Benetton, Renault Sport, Jaguar Racing and Prost Grand Prix have already chosen Michelin, and Toyota will join the club next year. So far, the Japanese Bridgestone seems to have an advantage. As suppliers to Ferrari and McLaren Mercedes they are already covering the “favourites” with four “winning” cars, whilst the other teams have to come from behind. There are various reasons for these racing teams to have chosen Michelin. Renault and Michelin simply belong together. And that Toyota, “the” motor-car company is fighting for points all over the world on Michelin tyres isn’t a minor consideration. At the press conference Edouard Michelin appeared as a truly enthusiastic company leader with a sense of sport. Michelin is not some newcomer to the scene who does not know what’s going on. The team around Edouard Michelin know this and that is why they are competing. They want to prove to themselves and the world, that there is only one company able to build the best tyres in the world: Michelin! Hence, Edouard Michelin enthusiastically let himself get carried away to imagine that in the future people will say that Formula 1 will be won on Michelin. The winner runs on Michelin, all others are on tyres.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Chinese JV Company “Will Make Warrior And Michelin” Tyres

Product News

The joint venture has been confirmed between Michelin and the Shanghai Tyre & Rubber Co. to make radial tyres, steel cord and compounds. The new company will be called Shanghai Michelin Warrior Tire Co. and the JV is worth US$200 million. Michelin has a 70 per cent stake and STRC 30 per cent. Reports from China say that the company will continue to produce Warrior brand tyres and, at some time in the future, Michelin group products.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

What Plans For Pirelli Tyres?

Product News

During a press conference held in Milan, Pirelli boss Tronchetti Provera did not give much away and remained vague. The company’s strategy will focus more on high technology and telecommunications in the future, but Tronchetti Provera stressed that he could not be more precise until he has made up his mind and seen all there is to see in Telecom Italiana. He said that he would focus on debt reductions as quickly as possible. Some parts of Pirelli are now for sale; a small part of the cables and the truck tyre division, for which Pirelli hopes to collect around 2 billion Euro. The passenger car and motorbike tyre division is not for sale. There are rumours that Pirelli is in talks with Michelin and Bridgestone. Of the two remaining major manufacturers, Continental may not have the money, as the group is already planning other take-overs, and Goodyear already has sufficient production capacity.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Westminster Eyes On Tyre Manufacturing

News

On Thursday the 18th January , in response to a question from Mr. Peter Pike MP for Burnley, the Minister for Trade, Mr Richard Caborn announced that the Government was to “commission a competitive study to examine the entire rubber industry, and especially the tyre sector”. Peter Pike MP quoted cuts in tyre production in the UK (Michelin, Goodyear, Dunlop, Continental) and advised the Minister that there was concern in his constituency, Burnley, home of a Michelin plant, for the future of the Tyre industry in the UK. The Minister responded with figures showing overall tyre production standing at £1 billion, and exports at £800 million, and some 8,000 people still employed directly in the tyre manufacturing industry. He added that with electronics playing an increasing part in production we (the government) wanted to ensure the country was at the leading edge of technology, and quoted Pirelli’s new robotics line as evidence the UK Tyre industry has a future. Sir Sydney Chapman MP for Chipping Barnet asked whether, given the sharp decline of the Euro against Sterling should the government not have eased the tax and regulatory burden on the industry? The Minister’s response was that the government’s policies had been welcomed by the industry; that three of the five major tyre manufacturers were operational in the UK and that they were “looking to the government to give a lead on a foresight programme to develop new technology for those industries”. He added that the standing of the Euro had had little or no effect on the global re-organisation of the tyre manufacturers. In a follow-on question, Barry Sheerman MP for Huddersfield asked if the Minister thought that if a multinational closed down a UK operation, that the UK consumer should be encouraged to be discriminatory about the products he or she buys, to favour UK industries. In response the Minister stated that he did not think this to be an acceptable way forward, that “the way forward was to expand the global economy in a managed way that will produce a good result for the consumer”.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Continues To Win In F1 Circus

Motorsport

Bridgestone, the world’s second largest tyre manufacturer, invited a party of tyre dealers and important customers to the Monaco Grand Prix. And there was reason to celebrate as the first two drivers home were racing in cars shod with Bridgestone tyres. Michelin had to be content with third place, which went to Eddie Irvine. The Bridgestone management is using Formula One events to improve its relationships with important partners, plus involvement in motorsports breeds success – over the past three years brand image and brand awareness have improved significantly in Europe and Latin America. This not only helps to ensure that the ambitious volume targets are met, but has the effect of improving the consumers’ perception of the quality of the brand, which means that they are willing to pay a higher price for the tyres.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Better In Business With Michelin – New Program In Germany

Product News

In Germany, Michelin is offering, what it calls “target-dealers” a contract with a Bib-Program, meaning Better In Business. Michelin has developed a multi-brand strategy with its Michelin, Kleber and BFGoodrich brands and is offering important extras to the dealers who have to agree to give the group brands a certain portion ( the majority) of their total purchasing. As our sister magazine, NEUE REIFENZEITUNG, says: The multi-brand-strategy has arrived in Germany.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Plant In Trier/Germany In Question

Product News

The Michelin plant in Trier where the Group produces wire and bead core has come under the microscope. The management is guaranteeing 300 jobs out of the present 330 for this year only and is raising the question whether or not production of wire etc. is still a core business.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Now It’s Official: Carlos Ghosn Is CEO Of Nissan

Career Tracks

The former high-ranking Michelin manager Carlos Ghosn has been officially appointed CEO of Nissan. De facto Ghosn has already been playing this role for months. The move is seen as an attempt to bind Ghosn to Nissan.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

15 Day Closures For Stomil Olsztyn

Product News

Michelin controlled Stomil Olsztyn is to curtail production for 15 days during November and December. The shutdown has been brought about by the reduction in sales of the Kormoran marque in Poland. The company will use the break in production to reduce stocks.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

New And More OE Contracts For Bridgestone From GM

Product News

Worldwide, the Bridgestone group has won new and additional OE business from General Motors, the world’s largest purchaser of tyres. Continental too will supply more tyres this year than last. It is said that Michelin asked for a significant price increase and voluntarily gave up supply volumes.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Focus On Earthmover Tyres

News, Premium

The world’s most important exhibition for equipment in the building, construction, mining and quarrying industries is “Bauma”, which was held in the beginning of April in Munich. On 2000 stands many vehicles from this segment were exhibited – equipped with very specialised tyres. Not all the tyre manufacturers are involved in this segment, for which the abbreviation EM is common, standing for earthmover tyres. The most important producers of EM tyres are Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear and Dunlop who showed sections of their current programs on their own stands. Some other tyre brands were fitted on the machines featured on the stands of vehicle manufacturers, but the four above-mentioned brands dominate the market. One trend in earthmover tyres is radialisation, but cross ply tyres are still in use. Low profile tyres and low-pressure technology are the most modern developments. The specialised tyre manufacturers want to be able to equip virtually every construction and mining machine, from skid-steer and compact loaders to the biggest trucks, to provide the customers with economic solutions and optimum efficiency.

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30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

The Financial Experts’ Favourite – Michelin

Product News

Reports from financial and industry analysts generally agree that the tyre industry, among others, is facing a difficult time with market conditions having worsened recently. Despite this, the Deutsche Bank AG, London is recommending Michelin shares as a “buy”, even though the organisation is downgrading its 2001 profits forecast for the French manufacturer by 3%.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

E-Business Partner For Michelin USA

Product News

Michelin North America has selected Modern Media, a e-retail software specialist to develop its B2C initiative in North America. Michelin North America Inc’s Debra Track said, “Modern Media will help us create a platform that will allow us to go after a new generation of consumers that don’t necessarily use traditional media in their shopping habits”. The value of the deal has not been disclosed.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

New Technology Tyre For Concorde From Michelin

Product News

Following the tragic Concorde crash last summer, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) approached tyre manufacturers to see if any research was on-going to improve the resistance of tyres to damage by foreign objects. In Paris, Michelin unveiled its response, the radial NZG. NZG, which stands for “near zero growth” is described as “the latest innovation in radial technology”. It uses a high-modulus reinforcement material which is lighter and offers higher damage resistance. The tyre was tested by running over a 30 cm blade both at taxiing and take-off speeds and the tyre suffered no damage.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

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