North America
The Marangoni Group will this year share one impressive stand at the Reifen exhibition. This initiative will be called the “Marangoni Village” and will feature all the latest news, products, technology and services offered in the Marangoni Group’s areas of business: For Car Tyres, the Marangoni high and ultra high performance car tyre ranges, together with specialist winter and SUV products, will be on show.
Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International, Inc. has announced that it is in negotiations with Continental Tire North America (CTNA) to acquire the assets of its off-the-road (OTR) tyre manufacturing facility in Bryan, Ohio. It is the goal of the parties to reach a definitive agreement for the asset purchase transaction within the next 30 days. Titan International owns subsidiaries that supply wheels, tyres and assemblies for off-highway equipment used in agricultural, earthmoving/construction and consumer (including all terrain vehicles and trailers) applications.
Brazilian company Borrachas Vipal S.A., a leading worldwide manufacturer of tyre retreading and repair products, will be participating at Reifen 2006—and will be showcasing its complete line of products, particularly its exclusive retreading and repair lines.
GPX International Tire Corporation has appointed Kedar D Murthy as vice president of global OEM sales. Mr Murthy will be based in GPX’s headquarters, in Malden, Massachusetts. Kedar brings 18 years of experience in global sales and marketing, international business development, operations, eBusiness and finance.
(Akron/Tire Review) The power transmission group of the ContiTech division of Continental AG has expanded drive-belt production capacity at its manufacturing plant in Timisoara, Romania.
(Akron/Tire Review) Bandag Inc. reported $212.4 million in consolidated net sales for the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 12 per cent compared to consolidated net sales of $189.8 million in first quarter of 2005. Consolidated earnings from continuing operations were $3.8 million for the first quarter compared to 2005 first-quarter consolidated net earnings of $6.0 million.
China Wheel runs four chrome-plating factories with an overall annual capacity of 945,000 units. In Taian (Shandong province) approximately 240 employees produce 240,000 units; in the Donghua chrome-plating factory 120 co-workers make 300,000 units; in Donghui 80 people make 105,000 units; and in Zengcheng 200 produce 300,000 wheels annually (all three locations can be found in Guangdong province).
(Akron/Tire Review) During the recent New York Auto Show, Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA) announced it will begin full production of its Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico in size 315/30R30 – which it describes as the first production 30-inch tyre. PTNA will produce the tyres at its MIRS plant in Rome, Georgia. “The 30-inch Scorpion Zero is not about selling huge volumes; it’s more about satisfying a highly visible niche opportunity and making a statement in the market place,” said PTNA President Guy Mannino in announcing production plant. “Our past initiatives in this product area have driven huge interest in plus sizing on light trucks, to a point where 22-inch tyres can almost be considered the norm.”
GPX International Tire Corporation (GPX), has purchased Maine Industrial Tire Limited (MITL) of Gorham, Maine. MITL is a leader in the design and manufacture of premium quality solid industrial tyres which are sold under the Maine and ITL brands. In addition, MITL produces and markets a line of solid tires for use on skid steers and loaders under the Brawler brand.
(Akron/Tire Review) According to a release issued by Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA), Guy Mannino, PTNA president and Myles Kovacs, president and co-founder of Twenty Inch Strong Wheels will “unveil something big” on 13 April before the start of the New York International Auto Show.
In his address at Goodyear’s Annual Shareholder Meeting, chairman and CEO Robert J. Keegan said the tyremaker remains committed to the strategic direction implemented three years ago, describing the business as an “aggressive marketing company.”
“Innovation, quality and a sharp market focus continue to drive Goodyear in the right direction,” he said. “We believe we are taking the required steps to drive improving future performance.” Keegan cited the company’s important financial milestones in 2005, including record sales, net income double the 2004 level, and growth in its business segments.
The huge Republic of China is an automotive growth market par excellence. And that applies to the automobile manufacturers as well as their suppliers. The country is not only at the centre of low-price manufacturing for “the rest of the world,” but has also become an enormous sales market in its own right. The cluster of cities in the east of the country is home to millions upon millions of inhabitants and the streetscape is shaped by the sight of premium segment cars and their upper middle class owners. These cities also have well-developed road systems. Rush-hour traffic jams are another familiar sight for anyone used to driving in western metropolises – and that’s despite the numerous additional lanes alongside just as numerous skyscrapers.
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc is implementing tough restructuring measures that it says are designed to “strengthen its competitive position, improve profitability and increase long-term value for its shareholders.” The steps include revised wage and benefit plans; the strategic realignment of its business (more than 15 per cent of the company’s US staff have already lost their jobs); and the rationalisation of Hayes Lemmerz’ wheel capacity, namely closing its Huntingdon Indiana Wheel plant.
Curtis Clawson, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board said: “The last several years have seen profound changes in the competitive landscape of the automotive industry. We are aligning our organization to recognize the realities in the US and to assure continued success in the global automotive marketplace.”
Union members at the Charlotte factory of Continental Tire North America Inc. have authorised the group’s leaders to call a strike, Mark Cieslikowski, president of the plant’s United Steelworkers Local 850, was reported as saying in the Charlotte Observer. But union leaders have “a long way to go” before calling a strike, as they are still trying to negotiate a new labour contract with the company’s managers, Cieslikowski said.
Medtec Ambulance Corporation, an Oshkosh Truck Corporation company, is to include the SmarTire active tyre pressure monitoring system as an option for new and existing ambulance vehicles. Medtec is a leading North American manufacturer of custom ambulances and is the second Oshkosh Truck Corporation company to offer SmarTire products. The first was Pierce Manufacturing Inc., North America’s leading manufacturer of fire and safety apparatus.
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