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General Grabber Gets Tire Rack Notice

Continental Tire North America’s General Grabber HTS has earned the top rating among light truck/SUV all-season tyres in a recent Tire Rack track test. According to CTNA, the Tire Rack testers ran the tyres – size 255/55R18 – against competing lines on a 2006 Porsche Cayenne, reporting that “ride quality, road handling and driver feel were first rate on the HTS stating,” CTNA said.

“We are very pleased that a General brand tire performed so well in Tire Rack’s testing,” said Travis Roffler, CTNA’s director of marketing. “The Grabber HTS test results are just one more example of how well this stellar product line performs, and the level of quality that has been placed into all General tyres.” (Tire Review/Akron)

2nd December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Materials Prices Strike a Raw Nerve in 2008

Across many industries, including our own, 2008 will be long remembered for its spate of raw material price increases and their knock-on effect. Although these prices had by mid-November retreated from their earlier record highs, across the board they left eroded profits in their wake – and consumers smarting from the increases tyre manufacturers in turn slapped upon their products.

27th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

ArvinMeritor 2008 Results Show Reduced Losses, Increased Sales

ArvinMeritor reports achieving sales of US$1.72 billion in the quarter ending September 30, an increase of 8 per cent on the corresponding quarter of 2007. Operating income during this, the company’s fourth quarter, is reported as $40 million, up from the previous year’s quarterly loss of $16 million. The vehicle systems and components manufacturer’s net loss, however, was substantially larger than in the fourth quarter of 2007, standing at $153 million, as opposed to $62 million.

For the full financial year to September 30, sales were $7.167 billion, up 11.1 per cent from the 2007 year. ArvinMeritor attributes this improved result to strength in Europe and South America. The company’s operating income of $186 million showed a 251 per cent improvement, and net loss, at $101 million, was far lower than in 2007, when a net loss of $219 million was recorded.

20th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

PCL: US Election Debate Brought Tyre Pressure to the Fore

Despite reportedly “drastically reduced visitor numbers at SEMA 2008,” PCL says its stand attracted the usual flow of customers to its stand. Tyre inflations products were said to have been an especially hot topic this year due to Barack Obama’s campaign comments about tyre inflation. Whilst John McCain was quick to ridicule Obama’s statement that the expansion of offshore drilling could be prevented by keeping tyres inflated, it is true that ensuring tyres have the accurate pressure can reduce CO2 emissions, save fuel and prevent potentially fatal accidents.

PCL says the company has experienced high acceptance on the US market, with a fast-expanding customer base satisfied with the performance of its market-leading products. Visitors to SEMA were reportedly keen to check out the automotive industry’s most advanced handheld and mobile nitrogen inflation equipment, and find out how every little helps when it comes to energy savings and safety.

20th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin North America Celebrates Headquarters Anniversary

Michelin North America yesterday celebrated the 20th anniversary of its North American headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina. “Michelin is proud to celebrate two successful decades of our North American headquarters in Greenville,” said Dick Wilkerson, MNA chairman and president. “Many of the employees who moved into this building 20 years ago are here today to celebrate this significant event.”

Michelin relocated its North American operations in 1985 from Lake Success, New York to Greenville. Two years later, MNA broke ground for its current 265,700-square-foot corporate headquarters building, with construction completed in November 1988. In 1995, Michelin built an additional 54,000-square-foot building adjacent to its headquarters. Today, MNA employs 1,750 employees at its headquarters complex. (Tire Review/Akron)

20th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Talk of Redundancies at Mount Vernon Mere Rumours, Says CTNA

Circulating talk of imminent redundancies at Continental Tire North America’s Mount Vernon factory are just rumours, a company official reported on November 18. While the company has reduced its temporary workforce by approximately 50 employees, the facilities 2000+ permanent employees have not been affected.

“We have been adjusting our production levels and controlling inventories to bring them in line with where the current market demands are,” Hank Eisenga, vice president for manufacturing at the plant told Illinois newspaper The Southern. “Rumours of major layoffs have been circulating, and that’s not the case. We are reducing some of our temporary workforce but we do not anticipate anything in the nature of layoffs to our permanent workforce.”

19th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

US Retailer Boosts Brand Strategy with Conti, General

An ex-sales director at Continental Tire North America has expanded the brand profile of a tyre and service centre subsidiary of XL Tire. The Pineville Tire & Service Center of Charlotte, North Carolina has added Continental and General to its portfolio in order to enhance its brand strategy for retail tyre sales. Pineville Tire is run by Jim Seidel, the former Director of Sales for Continental Tire North America and owned by the Seidel family.

“We are growing our tyre sales business very rapidly and our customers are increasingly requesting tyres that they had on their new vehicles as original equipment. As the former director of sales at Continental I know first-hand the strength that the Continental brand enjoys at the OE level,” says Seidel, who is CEO and president of XL Tire. Pineville Tire began phasing in the Continental brand after XL Tire purchased its assets in October. The company is now rapidly adding the Continental and General marketing lines.

17th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Tire Names New Head of Europe Headquarters

There is a new man at the helm of Hankook’s European operations. On November 13 the South Korean manufacturer announced the appointment of Mr. Jin-Wook Choi, executive vice president and member of the board of Hankook Tire Co, Ltd. to the position of Head of Europe Headquarters. Mr. Choi brings to the position more than 33 years of international business experience with Hankook, including more than eight years at top management level.

14th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Ceva to Run Pirelli Distribution Centre

Ceva Logistics has opened a distribution centre in Westland, Michigan which it will run for Pirelli Tire North America. The centre will handle tyres for two of Pirelli’s US-based OE customers, General Motors and Ford Motor Company, providing dedicated transportation and warehousing services for the tyre manufacturer.

“We estimate to move one million tyres through the facility in 2009,” said John Godfrey, Pirelli Tire North America’s Director of Logistics.

14th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho ‘Still Committed’ to Georgia US Factory

Kumho Tire representatives have confirmed that the company has “extended the timetable” for completion of its plant in Bibb County, Georgia plant. Company representatives added that Kumho is still committed to this project, which will help it “better serve customers in North America.” No revised deadline has yet been issued.

“Our strategy is to remain flexible to changes in market demand and allocate production resources accordingly. Kumho will continue to closely watch the North American automotive market to help us effectively compete. Kumho Tires will keep all of our stakeholders up to date with the latest information available on this plant,” Kumho representatives told Tyres & Accessories.

14th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Lanxess Increases 2008 Earnings Forecast

Specialty chemicals company Lanxess AG has increased its net sales for the third quarter of 2008, however in keeping with the current economic climate these higher sales figures have not equalled greater net income. Quarterly sales of 1.81 billion euros for the period ending September 30 represented an increase of 6.4 per cent. Pre exceptionals EBITA, at 191 million euros, was also up on last year’s 175 million euros in the third quarter. BBIT, pre exceptionals, was 119 million euros, 6.3 per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2007. The company’s quarterly net income of 56 million euros represented a decrease of 25.3 per cent.

14th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

US Order For China Automotive Systems

China Automotive Systems, a power steering components and systems supplier in China, has its first purchase order for power steering gears from a global automotive manufacturer headquartered in North America, says Aftermarket News. This first purchase order is part of a larger agreement to supply power steering gears to this automotive manufacturer.

This agreement represents a major milestone for the company, said CEO Qizhou Wu, as it is the first contract for China Automotive Systems in the North American original equipment manufacturer market. These power steering gears are intended for one model of a well-known automobile brand, according to the company.

13th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

TIA Readies Commercial Event, Retread Contest Back

Fresh off the 2008 SEMA Show, TIA has turned its focus on the the 2009 Commercial Tire, Retread & Recycling Conference (CTRRC), which will be held at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando on Feb. 9-11. The CTRRC will again be held in conjunction with the American Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) annual meeting.

As part of the CTRRC, TIA is bringing back the Retread Appearance Contest, which will be held at the TIA Retread Pavilion. In a twist from previous years, this year’s Retread Appearance Contest will be voted on by the TMC fleet attendees. Details on the Retread Appearance Contest are available at TIA’s Web site at www.tireindustry.org. (Tire Review/Akron)

13th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Columbian to Close US Carbon Black Plant

Due to softer demand for carbon black in North America, Columbian Chemicals announced on November 12 that it will close its production facilities in Marshall, West Virginia, on or around January 31, 2009. Approximately 55 jobs will be lost as a result of the closure.

13th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

François Michelin Inducted into TIA Hall of Fame

An honour that carries particular weight in North America is the ‘hall of fame’, a distinction for those who achieve lifelong excellence in their specific field, whether it be sports, music – or tyres. This year one of the historical contributor inductees into the Tire Industry Association (TIA) Hall of Fame was Mr. François Michelin, former managing partner of the Michelin Group. In November ceremonies held during the annual TIA “Breakfast with the President,” Mr. Michelin was recognised for his accomplishments and contributions to the tyre industry, including his support for the advancement of radial tyre technology.

12th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors