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Hercules to Open Middle-East and SE Asia Offices

Hercules International boss Joe Recchia has told Tyres & Accessories that Hercules’ visit to the inaugural Reifen China exhibition is not about instantly accessing domestic sales in China, but rather establishing a foundation on which to build in the months and years ahead. Recchia’s plan is to grow Hercules’ export business from an international to a global player.

Up till now, Hercules has been a large manufacturer active in numerous markets all over the world – 93 at the last count, up roughly a third from the approximately 75 nations the company sold tyres to in 2006. But now the Canada-based operation is planning to turn global by establishing regional offices in a number of key markets in 2008. On the subject of China, Joe Recchia is clear that there is not much prospect of competing with Chinese manufacturers in terms of price, so the Hercules has plans to take the OE route to market. Recchia didn’t go into details of exactly which manufacturers he was referring to, but did say that the plans are expected to be underway in the middle of 2008. Hercules’ international intentions look set to focus on one of two of its private brands (perhaps even both), but Rechhia would only go as far as saying that they represent totally different distribution channels.

14th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Agarwal Rubber: Driving Ambition

Agarwal Rubber Limited was incorporated in 1983 and is part of the Agarwal Group; one of the leading private business groups in India, with interests in a number of fields, including automobile rubber products, tyres, tubes, flaps, cement manufacturing and real estate. Agarwal Rubber was the first company in India to exclusively manufacture butyl rubber tubes and flaps – products which had traditionally been manufactured by tyre companies – and the initial capacity was 200 tubes per day. This has risen somewhat, as today’s daily production capacity stands at 30,000 tubes.

The company is already well known for its Maruti brand of products, which include tyres and tubes for everything from two wheelers through passenger cars and LCVs to trucks and even tubes for aircraft wheels. Agarwal Rubber has recently extended its range with the addition of a new brand, ARL.

13th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Sales Up Despite Lower Volumes

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has reported record third quarter sales of US$5.1 billion, up 3 per cent from last year. The company’s Asia Pacific Tire, Latin American Tire, European Union Tire, and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa Tire divisions all achieved record sales during the quarter despite Latin America being the only region to actually sell a greater volume of tyres. Goodyear claims it has successfully offset lower volumes through price increases and a richer product mix. These price and product mix changes in all five business units led to a 7 per cent increase in revenue per tyre over the 2006 quarter, and Goodyear adds that the quarter’s lower sales volume – 51.7 million tyres worldwide as opposed to 55.8 million in third quarter 2006 – reflects the company’s strategic decision to quit “certain segments” of the North American private label tyre market, along with other weak markets.

Total segment operating income from continuing operations was $382 million in the third quarter of 2007, another all-time high and up 35 per cent from the 2006 period. All five business units had higher segment operating income compared to last year, with Asia Pacific Tire and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa Tire setting records for any quarter.

30th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Retreaders Work on Their Contacts in Singapore

Tyrexpo Asia is not only a very interesting show for wholesalers, dealers and manufacturers of new tyres. In parallel with the increasing “Westernisation” of many markets in the region, suppliers of treads and tread rubber as well as equipment for the retreading business play an increasingly important role for Tyrexpo Asia, and this has not only been the case for this year’s show. Despite this, it has to be admitted that in previous years more companies from the retreading industry were present during the Singapore show, such as, for example, Goodway from Malaysia or Vipal from Brazil. So, this year’s exhibition appeared to lack some important market players. However, many others, including several companies from Europe and Northern America came or returned to exhibit at Tyrexpo Asia and thus benefited from it.

29th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Tyre Supplier for new Speedcar Series

Michelin has signed a deal with Speedcar Series to provide racing rubber for all cars over the next three seasons. The new championship, which will be contested on circuits in Asia, the Middle East and Australasia, gets underway on January 26 at the Dubai Autodrome and all drivers will be competing on 33/70.15 tyres that have been designed specifically to suit track and weather conditions in Asia and the Middle East.

The partnership with Speedcar will increase Michelin’s global motorsport portfolio, which already includes teams in single-seaters, rally, sportscars and motorcycling, as well as their profile in the region. Benjamin Durand, technical manager of Speedcar Series said: “We are delighted to announce our official partnership with Michelin, a company with a wealth of knowledge and experience garnered from over a century of racing in many different championships. Their input and support will be invaluable to the Speedcar Series. We are looking forward to the development of our relationship with excitement, and are convinced that together we will be able to further the development of the motor racing industry in the respective countries visited by the series.”

19th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Schrader Wins TPMS Contract with with Mahindra and Mahindra

Antrim-based Schrader Electronics, has announced details of a major new order for its tyre pressure monitoring systems from one of India’s largest vehicle manufacturers, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. The order includes the supply of Schrader’s new snap-in valve sensor to vehicles exported to the North American market, starting in January 2009 and running through to the end of 2011. The new business has led Schrader Electronics of Carrickfergus to open its seventh production line next month.

Mahindra & Mahindra is in the business of manufacturing and marketing utility vehicles and light commercial vehicles, including three-wheelers. It is the market leader in utility vehicles in India and currently accounts for about half of India’s market for utility vehicles. The group exports its products to several countries in Europe, Africa, South America, South Asia and the Middle East.

10th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Loadstar is Sri Lanka’s single largest exporter

On September 28, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Solideal Loadstar won three gold awards at the country’s 15th Annual Export Awards, conducted by the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE). The awards were: “Most Outstanding Exporter – Industry Rubber Products Extra Large category”; “Most Outstanding Exporter – Industry Rubber Products”; and “Most Outstanding Exporter – Overall Winner”.

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) has been hosting the prestigious Export Awards Ceremony since 1993 in an effort to recognize and reward export excellence in Sri Lanka. Over the past 15 years, the number of entries has risen from 19 to 132. Applicants were judged on overall net export turnover, export growth, product and market diversification, export values by principal markets, new products introduced, and special certifications.

“Our team in Solideal Loadstar deserves these awards for their hard work and commitment. Worldwide, the Solideal group’s connection to Sri Lanka is a source of pride, especially the great contribution to the economy and the country’s reputation for quality products,” said Cesar Clemente, CEO of the Solideal Group.

8th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone/Towell Opens Truck Tyre Centre in Oman

Towell Auto Centre LLC, the exclusive distributor for Bridgestone tyres in Oman, has inaugurated its state-of-the-art truck tyre service centre at Ghala. The service centre was inaugurated by Hassan Kamer Sultan, chairman of Towell Auto Centre, and Hirotaka Migita, managing director of Bridgestone Middle East FZE. Mr Migita, said the new service centre is one of the first of its kind in Oman and is a sign of Bridgestone’s continuous commitment to Oman market and Bridgestone’s vision to get closer to the customers. More similar centres are expected in Oman following the move.

The new facility is said to be equipped with “world-class machinery” such as tubeless tyre fitment and balancing capabilities. “The tyre centre has been set up to meet the customer needs of quality tyres and professional skill which is safe and sure,” said Mohan Menon, national manager for sales, Towell Auto Centre. Bridgestone tyre service centres are currently located at Wadi Kabir, Ghoubra, Rusayl, Nizwa, Sur, Ibri and Salala in Oman.

1st October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Belshina: Growth Through Investment

The Republic of Belarus has experienced robust economic growth in recent years, with the latest figures showing a growth in GDP of nearly seven per cent. The economy is highly industrialised, with exports playing a crucial part in the growth in prosperity. One of the largest enterprises in Belarus – indeed, one of the largest in Europe – is the Belshina Open Joint-Stock Company. The tyre manufacturer operates three factories, covering an area of 173.6 hectares and employs around 12,000 staff, producing more than 200 sizes and types of tyre, from passenger car up to giant tyres for mining and construction machinery.

Belshina sells tyres on both the replacement and OE markets, having a number of OE contracts with local and foreign vehicle manufacturers across all sectors. (Valtra, Brazil – tractor manufacturer; Terex Equipment Ltd., Scotland – mining and construction machinery manufacturer; Belaz, Belarus – mining machinery; MAZ, Belarus – trucks, KAMAZ, Russia – trucks; MTZ, Belarus – tractors).

24th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Rubber King Tyres India: King Of The Road

Rubber King manufactures and markets a range of inner tubes, curing air bags and rubber flaps under the brand name “Rubber King”. The company has two factories and manufacturing capacities of 150,000 tubes per month and 75,000 flaps per month.
Rubber King inner tubes are made from high quality butyl rubber for better air retention and resistance to degradation from ozone. The size range is very comprehensive, with tubes available for truck and bus, light truck, agricultural, OTR and passenger vehicles for both bias ply and radial tyres and also for industrial vehicles and implements. Butyl curing bags and flaps are produced in a large number of sizes.
As well as these products, Rubber King offers the “Tire King” brand of tyres for vehicles from motorcycles through agricultural, industrial and OTR tyres.

The company exports products all over the world to more than 33 countries; not only in Asia, but to Europe, the USA, Africa and the Middle East. The quality of Rubber King inner tubes is demonstrated by the fact that many of the company’s customers are OEM tyre companies and the tubes carry a two-year warranty.

6th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Pneu-Logic Partners with Goodyear Dunlop in EFM Deal

Derbyshire based Pneu-Logic Ltd., now a subsidiary of Advanced ID Corporation, has entered into a strategic partnership with Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK to provide Pneu-Logic Fleet Management System (EFM) products in the United Kingdom under the Goodyear Dunlop brand name. This latest agreement reflects Advanced ID’s current global activities, which has seen the company present Goodyear Dunlop EFM in Europe, the US and Australia. Advanced ID also report that they have received strong signs of interest from Asia and the Middle East.

According to a Goodyear Dunlop press release from the recent CV show in Birmingham, “Goodyear Dunlop EFM is a result of the strategic partnership with Pneu-Logic, manufacturers of hardware and software solutions for transport operators. Goodyear Dunlop UK began using Pneu-Logic equipment in 2006, and following the success of the initial trial, the tyre giant has chosen to launch a version of the system under its own brand name, tailored for the specific needs of Goodyear Dunlop customers.” The tyremaker intends to use these units in the UK and across Europe to collect tyre tread and pressure data from vehicles on their key fleets.

27th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodway Eyes Up Further Expansion

Malaysia’s Goodway Integrated Industries has expanded its rubber compound and tyre retreading business through the acquisition of a number of assets from Autoways (Malaya) and the turnaround of operations at retreader Big Wheel (Sabah), acquired by Goodway in August 2005.

The Autoways assets acquisition cost Goodway £1.13 million and will boost the company’s rubber compound and retreading capacity. Goodway says it is now considering the possibility of expanding overseas, including to the Middle East and Africa.

10th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Tyres Launch ‘Buy N Fly’ in Qatar

Ali Bin Khalifa Al Hitmi & Company, Qatar’s sole distributors of Yokohama tyres, is running a “Buy ‘N’ Fly” summer promotion that will last until July 31. The promotion, which entitles the end-user to a raffle coupon upon purchase of two passenger car, SUV or light truck tyres, features prizes including air travel packages for six persons, for three nights from Qatar Airways Holidays to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Other prizes include 10 LG slim televisions of 29 inches, 10 LG DVD players, 25 Nokia 1600 mobile phones and 10 Moulinex Blenders. The raffle draw will be held at Al Hitmi’s main showroom on Salwa Road on August 1.

The details of the draw was announced at a gathering held at the main showroom, attended by Yokohama’s general manager (Middle East) Taketoshi Morita, general manager of Ali Bin Khalifa Al Hitmi & Co, Adli Hashim Sourani, and Karun Menon, sales and marketing manager of the group.
Ali Bin Khalifa Al Hitmi & Co has been sole distributor of Yokohama tyres since in Qatar since 1964.

6th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Aims to Fire Up Arabian Sports Driving Scene

Between 12 to 14 May 2007, Bridgestone Middle East & Africa FZE offered Potenza Driving Lessons, a concept designed to raise awareness of safe sports driving techniques developed, run in cooperation with former F1 driver Stefano Modena. Part of a long term initiative from Bridgestone, the first three days of lessons were held in Dubai.

“We decided to host interactive driving lessons to provide a chance for motoring fans to enjoy sports driving in a safe and supervised environment. Using cars fitted with the new Potenza RE001 Adrenalin will effectively convey the joy and pleasure of sports driving to our target market and cultivate Potenza supporters in the region” said Mr. Kanahara, President, Bridgestone Middle East & Africa FZE, Dubai.

Bridgestone Middle East & Africa FZE (BSMEA) is the headquarters for the Middle East and Africa region. It was set up with the objectives of speeding up decision-making and action and of optimizing regional strategy by identifying market trends close to the customer and market.

15th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

EU Tyre Recycling Tests Outline “Best Available Technology”

Estimates put forward during the European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA) Conference 2007 in Brussels suggest that at least 300 million tyres reach their end-of-life each year throughout the EU’s 27 member states, with similar amounts found in North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. Taking all of these regions collectively it is likely that the equivalent of more than one billion passenger car tyres require scrapping each year, and in the past many of these were destined for landfill or otherwise illegally dumped.

With EU directives banning the stockpiling of tyres or their disposal in landfill alternative methods of processing end-of-life tyres have been sought, however ETRA have reported that only a third of these tyres are being recycled into recovered materials, the bulk of them instead burnt as a fuel source. The results of conducting pyrolysis on scrap tyres have not in the past achieved promising results, with the resultant carbon being high in ash content and therefore only suitable for low-grade uses.

8th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors