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.
Sonic Rail Services (SRS) is fitting the Michelin Agilis CrossClimate tyre on its entire van fleet. The decision follows a trial which highlighted the tyre’s safety benefits and savings potential, the rail infrastructure business said.
The latest global tyre market share figures from tyre industry analyst Astutus Research show how long-established, leading players headquartered in Japan, Europe, and North America have seen their volume share diminish, while Chinese, ASEAN, and selected other markets’ tyre manufacturers’ share has risen. The analyst states that in aggregate, the ten leading PCLT tyre manufacturers based in Japan, Europe and North America (J-E-NA) have lost almost 6 percentage points of market share since the end of 2011 (OE and replacement segments combined, volumes in tyre units). In part this reflects a strategic choice of some to focus on the higher value premium segments of the market.
The performance of Michelin’s CerexBib 2 has “proven its worth” in helping York crop farmer Wharram and Kay through a difficult, rain-soaked harvest. The framer fit the VF 900/60 R38 CFO+ 193A8/B and VF 620/70 R30 CFO+ 175A8 to its New Holland CR8.90 combine following advice and support from local Michelin account manager Ian Whitwell. The wet weather has had a major impact on productivity throughout large parts of the United Kingdom.
CEOs of 11 leading tyre manufacturers met to review progress and confirm the ongoing mandate of the leading global forum for tyre manufacturers on sustainability issues – the Tire Industry Project.
Founded in 2005, the Tire Industry Project (TIP) is a global CEO-led initiative undertaken by leading tyre manufacturing companies to research potential human health and environmental impacts of tyres throughout their lifecycle. TIP operates under the umbrella of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and is co-chaired by Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Michelin.
CEVA Logistics will continue to handle warehousing services and inventory management for Michelin at its Valladolid facility in north western Spain for another three years. Using around 55,000sqm within its facility, CEVA Logistics handles warehousing services, inventory management, and picking and loading of transport bound for Michelin customers, automotive manufacturers and spare parts and maintenance companies. CEVA also handles a range of tires for luxury touring vehicles, agricultural vehicles and trucks. Together these comprise some five million items per year.
Following the establishment of their hydrogen mobility joint venture in March 2019, Michelin and Faurecia have reported that they have formalized the establishment of “Symbio, A Faurecia Michelin Hydrogen Company”. According to the two companies “Symbio, A Faurecia Michelin Hydrogen Company” combines all their hydrogen fuel cell dedicated activities, with the aim of becoming a world leader in hydrogen mobility.
Michelin has presented a free of charge tyre pressure calculation aid for farmers at this year’s Agritechnica show. The AgroPressure by Michelin service aims to alleviate the tedium of having to manually estimate load and then refer to tables outlining the manufacturer’s recommendation. Michelin says its solution is “connected” and “smooth”.
Halfords and Mobivia have forged a joint purchasing alliance relating to own-brand products. The idea is to offer “more effective joint product development and greater innovation in both companies’ motoring and cycling ranges”.
Thoresby Farming has more than doubled the productivity of its main cultivating tractor after upgrading to a Fendt 1050 featuring VarioGrip technology. The flagship Fendt was specified from the factory on a set of AxioBib IF 710/60 R38 and IF 900/65 R46 fitments – Michelin’s largest agricultural tyres.
Sales of Michelin motorcycle tyres have doubled within the past five years. The tyre maker also aims to double sales again in the coming five, and will be aided here by a comprehensive renewal within its two-wheeler tyre portfolio in 2020. No less than nine new products will be introduced next year, a line-up expected to represent a quarter of Michelin’s sales within this segment. The new additions are currently on display at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy
Michelin has expanded its popular X Multi range of regional truck tyres, with the introduction of two new multi-position sizes, intended primarily for fitment on the front steer axle.
The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has announced a three-season deal with Michelin for the supply of tyres to the new top class of endurance racing, poised to take to the track in the 2020-21 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Moray-based bulk haulier WJ&J Green has signed a five-year Michelin EffiTires tyre management contract. The deal, which includes the roll-out of Michelin’s EffiTrailer telematics system, marks a return to a 100 per cent Michelin policy across the truck and trailer fleet, after a decade of fitting a variety of tyre brands.
Although numerous manufacturers are currently engaged in testing with major customers, electrification hasn’t yet come to the commercial vehicle segment in a significant way. The exception to this is bus transport. China has taken the lead here, with some 400,000 electric buses – at least a tenth of China’s bus parc and 98 per cent of the world total – plying the country’s urban areas. And while (according to Wood Mackenzie) just 3,700 electric buses were in service across Europe last year, just 0.5 per cent of the region’s total bus fleet, this figure is rising. Tyre makers are following this trend closely.
Michelin intends to acquire all shares in Société Internationale de Plantations d’Hévéas (SIPH) not already owned by itself or Ivory Coast-based company SIFCA. It is launching a public buyout offer on 7 November, offering 85 euros per share. This buyout offer is being made exclusively in France and will be followed by a squeeze out.
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