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Trelleborg Phases Out Pirelli Brand

The Agricultural & Forestry Tyres division of Trelleborg is publicising its new brand strategy. On 25 and 26 September in Italy, Trelleborg invited more than 80 journalists from Europe and North America and 40 top managers of global major tractor makers to hear about its strategic plans for driving the brand transition from Pirelli Agricultural Tyres to Trelleborg. Basically Trelleborg plans to strengthen its brand in order to make it an “autonomous and synonymous specialization in agriculture.”

29th September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental CV Tyre Production Now Over 7 million Units

Continental AG is profiting from the growing demand for commercial vehicles. The international automotive supplier expects to achieve sales this year totalling nearly 2.0 billion euros in the commercial vehicle original equipment and replacement business. “We are counting on further growth in the coming year,” said Dr Hans-Joachim Nikolin. In the Commercial Vehicles Tires division, Continental’s capacity exceeded 7.0 million tyres this year. The plant in Puchov, Slovakia, and the Continental Sime Tyre operations in Malaysia have been expanded, and production got started in the new facility in Camaçari, Brazil.

22nd September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Performance Fibers to Idle Tyre Fibre Production in Alabama

(Akron/Tire Review) The downturn in the North American tyre industry has begun taking its toll on suppliers. Performance Fibers, a leading supplier of polyester fibres for tyres, is idling its polyester fibre production at its Scottsboro, Alabama, facility. The company said the move was “due to slowing demand in North America caused by U.S. tyre manufacturing cutbacks, high raw material costs and other factors.”

22nd September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Nexen Opens Shanghai Offices, Eyes China Growth

(Akron/Tire Review) Nexen Tire opened a branch office in Shanghai, China, earlier this month, which company officials said will spur its penetration in the Chinese tyre market. The new office will join a tyre plant Nexen is constructing in Qingdao, Shantung, which broke ground last May. The new plant will cover some 5.7 million square feet – among the largest in China – and have a final capacity of 20 million per year, Nexen said.

21st September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Ford Buys Rover Name for £6 million

Ford has bought the Rover brand name from BMW for £6 million, raising hopes that the marque could yet rise from the ashes. Ford was granted an option of first refusal to buy the Rover brand when it acquired Land Rover from BMW for $2.7 billion in 2000. Although Ford did not comment on the future of the Rover brand, sources told The Times that the company wanted to build further upon its successful Land Rover brand in North America and has plans to design a so-called “crossover vehicle” using the Rover brand.

19th September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Outlines Efficiency Improvement Plans

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co’s has announced plans to gain $170 million by the end of 2008 through cost cuts and profit improvements, according to an official filing. Cooper said it will reduce annual spending by $70 million and boost profit by $100 million with “better pricing and a change in our manufacturing strategy.” The plans also include operating three of the company’s US tyre plants around the clock while staffing a fourth with temporary workers during peak periods to help return the biggest share of its business to profitability.

12th September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Another Contract for SmarTire

In the USA, SmarTire has been selected by ABC Companies to supply its SmartWave tyre pressure and temperature monitoring systems (TPMS) on the company’s Van Hool motorcoaches, for whom ABC is the exclusive US distributor. ABC is a leader in the sale and leasing of new and pre-owned highway coaches.

7th September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

New CEO for CTNA, Gerstenberger Promoted

(Akron/Tire Review) Matthias Schönberg, managing director of Continental Tire of Mexico, has been named CEO of Continental Tire North America, effective Oct. 1. Alan Hippe, who had been president and CEO, will remain as president of CTNA. In addition, Andreas Gerstenberger, current vice president of sales and marketing, was promoted to executive vice president of sales and marketing at CTNA. As CEO, Schönberg, who has extensive international experience, will head CTNA’s supply chain, sales and marketing and production. He will report to Hippe, who as CFO and executive board member of parent Continental AG will continue to provide strategic direction to CTNA.

6th September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

SRI Increases Prices

SRI Tire Trading Ltd., the tyre export wing of the Sumitomo Rubber’ Group, will increase the prices of the company’s Dunlop, Falken and Sumitomo brands in Asia, the Near and Middle East, North America, Central and South America, Africa and Pacific nations. In Europe the price of Falken and Sumitomo brand passenger car, light truck, truck and bus and motorcycle tyres will also increase. The price hikes are expected to take place at the beginning in September and will be in the range of 5 to 10 per cent.

22nd August 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan Signs Five-Year Deal with Deere

Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International, Inc. has entered a new five-year agreement to supply Deere & Company with construction and forestry tyres. With Titan’s recent acquisition of Continental Tire North America, Inc.’s off-the-road (OTR) tyre plant in Bryan, Ohio, Deere’s senior management requested that Titan help them meet tyre demand and overcome shortage challenges, according to an official statement.

18th August 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Union, Goodyear Back to the Table, Remain Far Apart

(Akron/Tire Review) Even as both sides continue to pick over the fine print of the United Steelworkers (USW) new three-year master contract with Michelin North America, Goodyear and the Steelworkers reportedly remain far apart in their contract talks.

Goodyear’s union workers continue on the job, working on a day-to-day basis off their now expired contract. The USW’s deal with MNA has been established as the “pattern contract” for ongoing talks with Goodyear and now stalled talks with Bridgestone/Firestone.

16th August 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

GPX Buys Starbright Factory: Update

Following GPX International’s recent acquisition of the Hebei Starbright tyre factory in China, Tyres & Accessories has learnt that GPX plans to refurbish and modernize the site and expand the range of products produced in the factory. The company is to introduce a full range of bias and radial agricultural tyres, including both 85 series and 70 series radial rear tractor fitments. In addition GPX representatives say the company will install a solid tyre workshop using the technology obtained in its acquisition of US-company, Maine Industrial Tire Limited (MITL).

15th August 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

CTNA Putting Up to $100 Million into Mount Vernon

Having closed its unionised tyre plant in Mayfield, Kentucky, and all but closed its unionised Charlotte tyre plant, Continental Tire North America (CTNA) has turned its attention to upgrading its non-union plant in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Last week, CTNA announced a three-year, $70 million to $100 million capital investment programme for the facility – the only dedicated and operating tyre plant CTNA owns in North America.

15th August 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan Realigns Plans as Bryan Deal Details Emerge

(Akron/Tire Review) Even as Titan International adjusted its sales and earnings targets, more details emerged from its purchase of Continental Tire North America’s OTR tyre plant in Bryan, Ohio. Titan bought the Bryan tyre plant for $41.4 million in property, plant and equipment, and paid another $11.5 million for existing inventory. In additional, the deal gives Titan a license to sell OTR tyres under the General brand.

14th August 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

USW Files Complaint With State Department Against Continental

(Akron/Tire Review) The United Steelworkers (USW) has filed a complaint with the US State Department against German tyre and auto system maker Continental AG, alleging breaches of the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

9th August 2006/by Tyrepress Editors