Alcoa Wheel Products Europe appoints new sales director
Alcoa Wheel Products Europe has named Kai Sommerlatte as sales director for the Europe, Middle East and North Africa region, effective 1 May 2015.
Middle East
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Saudi Arabia tyre market to follow vehicle market expansion
In 2013, about 0.74 million units of commercial vehicles and passenger cars were sold in Saudi Arabia, giving the Kingdom one of the highest per capita vehicle totals globally. However, virtually all of this is imported as Saudi Arabia is also home to a huge vehicle production deficit. Nevertheless, a new report distributed by Bharat books suggests expanding growth potential in the automobile sector is attracting several vehicle manufacturers to Saudi Arabia.
Marshal website for Middle East launched
The Marshal tyre brand’s digital presence in the Middle East region has been expanded through the launch of a new website. The multilingual English-Arabic-Persian site aims to inform consumers prior to making a purchase decision, and in addition to covering the entire Marshal product range it provides a dealer locator to help potential buyers find the nearest centre. The site is optimised for desktop, tablet and mobile viewing.
Pirelli the main sponsor of Superbike World Championship Qatar round
Pirelli is to be the main sponsor of the grand finale of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship. Held next weekend in Qatar at the Losail International Circuit, Doha, the last round of the season will take the official name: “Pirelli Qatar Round”. The event is also notable as the first time the Superbike World Championship will take place at night.
Goodyear earns well in Q3, globally and in Europe
While many of the quarterly results released at the moment make for depressing reading, those published by Goodyear Tire & Rubber yesterday show that the US-based tyre maker is making even better than expected progress on the path back to financial strength. An obviously pleased Richard Kramer reported on 29 October that Goodyear “delivered outstanding earnings growth in the quarter and achieved a segment operating income margin of more than 11 per cent, the highest in more than a decade, despite an increasingly challenged global economy. The chairman and chief executive officer added that “these results reflect our focus on capturing the value of our branded products in the marketplace and continued progress generating cost savings through our operational excellence activities.”
Kuwait home to first Apollo Zone
Apollo Tyres is reporting further inroads into the Kuwait market with the opening up of it first branded retail outlet in the country. The Apollo Zone is designed to provide customers with an enhanced retail experience and a better feel for the brand and products on display, including passenger car, 4×4 and light truck tyres. The new Apollo Zone is located in the up-market Canada Dry Street of Kuwait, and is operated by Federal General Trading & Contracting Co.
Apollo profits up 64% in fiscal 2013-14
Annual and final quarter results for Apollo Tyres’ 2013-14 fiscal year, which ended on 31 March, show a solid increase in net profit for the India-headquartered tyre maker. In the 12 months between the start of April 2013 and the end of March 2014, the company achieved net sales of Rs 133.1 billion (£1.3 billion); this represents year-on-year sales growth of four per cent. Full-year operating profit rose 19 per cent over the previous year to Rs 19.7 billion (£197.2 million), while operating profit margin rose from 12.1 per cent to 14.8 per cent. Net profit jumped 64 per cent year-on-year to Rs 10.1 billion (£101.1 million).
Bridgestone merging China, Asia Pacific tyre business units
Under restructuring measures Bridgestone is undertaking in the Asia region, Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. (BSAP) will expand its area of responsibility to include tyre operations in China. From 1 July, Bridgestone Asia Pacific – henceforth abbreviated to BSCAP – will become the head office in charge of both BSAP and Bridgestone (China) Investment Co. Ltd., the company’s current Chinese head office.
Slight dip for Hankook in Q1 2014
Revenue and operating profit at Hankook Tire was marginally lower year-on-year in the first quarter of 2014, the company reported on 30 April. Global sales revenue amounted to KRW 1.675 trillion (£958.9 million) between 1 January and 31 March, 0.3 per cent lower than the revenue achieved in the first quarter of 2013. Operating profit in Q1 2014 was KRW 260.1 billion (£148.9 million), 0.7 per cent less than a year earlier. Operating profit to sales ratio was 15.5 per cent.
Goodyear posts Q1 results, confirms targets
While Goodyear Tire & Rubber has expressed satisfaction with the US$373 segment operating income earned in the first quarter of 2014, chairman and CEO Richard Kramer acknowledged the effect of ‘headwinds’ in emerging markets during the three-month period, particularly the impact of Venezuela on the company’s Latin America business. Segment operating income was up 24 per cent year-on-year and had a margin of 8.3 per cent; this is the fourth consecutive quarter where SOI margin has exceeded eight per cent.
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres appoints EMEA general sales manager
Birmingham aviation tyre manufacturer Dunlop Aircraft Tyres expanded its team earlier in the year with the appointment of Patrice Moreau as general sales manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Reporting to sales and marketing director David Skepper, Moreau joins with more than 19 years’ experience in commercial and business aviation.
Toyo Tires becomes AC Milan premium sponsor
An agreement concluded today between Toyo Tire & Rubber and Associazione Calcio Milan – AC Milan – gives the Japanese tyre maker Premium Sponsor status with the football club until June 2016. Toyo says the sponsorship deal will influence its global branding content and help the company to “more clearly bring out the potential premium image of the products we offer.” It anticipates “significant” medium-term advantages will result from the partnership in Europe and Asia, and in two regions where Toyo is “contemplating market expansion” – the Middle East and Russia.
Full Zeetex tyre range launched for EMEA dealers in Thailand
Following on from their European launch in February, the new series of Zeetex brand passenger car, 4×4 and light commercial tyres have been presented to 40 Africa, Middle East and ASEAN dealers. The six new models offer better road-handling and traction while delivering longer mileages, according to Zeetex distributor ZafcoTrading, and were unveiled on 20 […]
Urbanising Kuwait fuels continued imported passenger car tyre demand
Kuwait’s high rate of urbanisation and purchasing power will lead to continued opportunities for imported passenger car tyres, a new report on the country’s automotive segment has revealed. With about 95 per cent of the country’s population residing in urban areas, and private car demand rising, imported PCR tyres have led tyre demand, though the TechSci Research report also suggests that commercial vehicle demand could follow increased mining and oil drilling investments.
Singex: Tyrexpo Africa 2014 ended on a high
Tyrexpo Africa 2014’s organisers Singex are describing the show as a success, saying “it lived up to its reputation once again as the major tyre event of the year on the African continent”. According to the company, the show – held from 4 to 6 March at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa – showcased “the widest selection of new brands of leading South African and international manufacturers” and featured 134 exhibitors and welcomed about 1,200 visitors from 17 African and international countries.
