Tyres & Accessories May 2011
May's edition of Tyres & Accessories featured special reports on Retail/Buying Groups; Industrial Tyres and Van Tyres. Subscribers can view this in our online virtual e-paper format by clicking more.
Middle East
Posts
‘There are no bad tyres’
International News, NewsAl Dobowi Group chairman Surender Singh Kandhari’s spoke on “the emergence of budget tyres” at the recent Automechanika Middle East his argument that there is no such thing as a bad tyre may have raised some eyebrows, but it certainly got the audience thinking. Highlighting that the combination of ambitious manufacturers based in emerging markets and increasingly tough legislation has seen so-called budget brands rapidly increase sales volumes and standards, his most memorable comment came when he posited: "There are no bad tyres; only good ones and better ones.”
Boto Tyre gives update on factory progress
NewsFollowing the news in April 2009 that Shandong Wanda Boto Tyre Co., Ltd., was to build a passenger car production facility nearby its existing tyre manufacturing complex in China, company representatives have given a update of the construction process. Speaking to Tyres & Accessories back then, company representatives explained how, despite the ongoing economic downturn, Boto Tyre was planning to build a 15 million passenger car radial a year plant. Around 1 billion yuan was said to have been earmarked for the expansion work.
Talking winter tyres in the desert with Deldo
NewsWith temperatures ranging between 39 and 47’C during the week of this year’s Automechanika Middle East, Dubai might seem like a bizarre place to talk about winter tyres, but that’s the position Tyres & Accessories found itself in during a conversation with Deldo Autobanden NV’s international sales and marketing manager, Rutger Veerman. In addition there was also news of a new Deldo private brand tyre.
But first the winter tyres. According to Veerman, 2011 is the first year the well-known Belgian tyre wholesaler has pre-sold winter tyres to distributors in the UK. Sales of the ironically cold weather products are also said to be booming in general with many companies across Europe failing to get enough stock during the last winter season.
Deruibao Tire seeks distribution partners
International News, NewsShandong Deruibao Tire Co., Ltd., produces passenger car radial tyres under two Chinese brands plus the slightly more anglicized Deruibo international export moniker. Deruibao is currently looking for international distribution partners having embarked on an export programme last March. Initially things began with the export of the firm’s truck and bus radials, but moving forward, the company hopes to do the same with passenger car radials in 2012.
The company currently manufactures 3 million all-steel tyres a year across 100 stock keeping units (SKUs), but the company began building a 24 million unit a year plant a couple of years ago. The firm already produces 13 patterns and 13 sizes of truck and bus radials.
Sailun seeking to increase European, Middle Eastern sales
NewsEstablished in November 2002, Sailun Co., Ltd. has been producing tyres for around 7 years. During this time the company has established a foundation in the market place, growing very fast in a number of areas. The company started off focusing on distribution agreements in North America, Europe and South America, but – as we saw from the establishment of a Sailun Europe subsidiary, which was announced in October last year – the firm is set on further expansion.
Currently the company is on the hunt for a tyre distributor local to the Middle East with the motivation and ability to drive the brand forward, hence the decision to exhibit in Dubai at this year’s Automechanika Middle East at the start of June. At the moment Sailun reports turnover of around US$40 million in this region, but the aim is for a new partner local to the Middle East region to work with the company to significantly increase this. Sailun representatives told Tyres & Accessories that the firm is already in talks with some interested parties, but it is far too early to share any details about this.
Al Futtaim introduces UAE's first 4D Master Aligner
NewsAl Futtaim Motors’ new Express Tyre & Battery fitting centre recently became Dubai’s first firm to fit what is purportedly “the fastest wheel aligner in the world” by introducing the 4D Master Aligner. Located in Al Quoz Dubai, the FastFit branch is described as a one-stop shop solution for those benchmarked services and fast turnaround times.
The 4D Master Aligner reportedly operates 50 per cent faster than any other wheel aligning machine in the UAE market today. It uses cameras to capture eight measurements per second, guaranteeing real-time visualisation of data on the control unit screen, along with LCD repeaters integrated into the rear measuring heads, permitting simultaneous work under the vehicle on adjustment operations.
Stamford Tyres reports full year 2011 earnings up 41.4 per cent
NewsStamford Tyres Corporation Limited has announced that its net profits for the year ended 30 April 2011 jumped 41.4 per cent to S$13.3 million off the back of “better sales mix of high performance tyres and earthmover tyres.” According to the company, this combination of high value items “offset rising tyre costs,” while the company’s business in the South Africa, North Asia and South East Asian markets are said to have put in strong sales performances.
Groundbreaking held for Hankook plant no. 7
NewsLess than a month after breaking ground on its Liang Jiang Xin Qu factory in China’s Chongqing region, Hankook Tire has held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new plant in Indonesia. This facility, in Lippo Cikarang, Bekasi, West Java, will become the Korean tyre maker’s seventh global plant. Four production facilities on a 60 hectare site will cater to North American and Middle East export markets and serve as a regional business hub for the emerging Asian market.
Apollo opens Middle East hub
NewsInfrastructure and tyre usage in the Middle East is very similar to that in India, says Apollo Tyres, and this is the accepted reason why its products have enjoyed a high level of acceptance throughout the region. In total, the Middle East accounts for some 30 per cent of the Indian tyre maker’s export revenues, and in the last years it has built up a 23-partner distribution network there spanning 14 countries. Now, Apollo Tyres has extended its Middle East presence with the opening of its first office outside the company’s operations in India, the Netherlands and South Africa. This new Dubai-based office will serve as a hub for distributing Apollo’s India-manufactured tyres.
Strong Indian contingent at Automechanika Middle East
NewsAutomechanika 2011 features a strong contingent of Indian tyre manufacturers and distributors including well known names such as JK Tyre, BKT and Emrald, to name just three. As the show organisers expanded the number of exhibitors many times over at the fair in general, it appears to have been a conscious decision to invite tyre makers from the subcontinent to the tyre halls in a bid to attract increasingly influential companies in addition to leading Chinese firms such as Hangzhou Zhongce, Shandong Linglong and Sailun.
Tyres dominate Automechanika Academy in Dubai
International News, NewsFollowing a successful opening day, with a steady stream of visitors in attendance, Automechanika Middle East 2011 continued today with a series of tyre-related seminars dominating the day’s Automechanika Academy sessions.
Zafco: Dubai-based, with a global reach
NewsFollowing a successful Tyrexpo Asia Zafco, the Dubai based tyre manufacturer, importer and exporter of tyres, batteries and lubricants, is also exhibiting at Automechanika Middle East. Founded in Dubai in 1993, Zafco is one of the world's leading importers and exporters of car tyres, batteries and lubricants. The company is based in the Jebel Ali Free Zone and its UAE storage facilities, which cover 43,100 square metres, can accommodate 1 million tyres.
Bosch to show 'future of the workshop' at Automechanika Middle East
NewsBosch is inviting visitors to this week's Automechanika Middle to enjoy “an interactive experience illustrating how the right hardware and software can make troubleshooting, servicing and repair efficient processes – all backed up by Bosch's cross-brand expertise.” The well-known garage supplier is showcasing its extensive range of workshop equipment and will also be demonstrating its products at the event, including tools for vehicle alignment and the full spectrum of wheel servicing.
Al Dobowi out in force at Automechanika Middle East
NewsAutomechanika Middle East 2011 will feature a strong showing from Al Dobowi when the company will further promote a new pattern for its Infinity range of tyres, which the firm began promoting at the recent Autopromotec event in Bologna. Al Dobowi Group will be on-show in the dedicated tyres section of the exhibition located in Hall 7.
