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Bridgestone US plant reaches production milestone

In its 13 years of operation, the Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations plant in Aiken County, South Carolina has manufactured a tyre or two. Or 100 million. On 14 February the 100 millionth tyre rolled off the passenger car and light truck factory’s production line, and the arrival at this milestone was celebrated by company management, workers and invited guests. The tyre at the centre of the festivities is a Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S; this particular specimen was signed by guests attending the celebration and will be displayed in the plant’s lobby.

16th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper workers to participate in ‘justice’ road trip

The lockout at Cooper Tire & Rubber’s Findlay plant in the US state of Ohio has been in effect for almost three months now. And while the tyre maker is keeping quiet about how or even if it plans to reach a mutually acceptable agreement with the United Steelworkers union, the situation is being kept in the public eye by the union. On 15 February the USW announced a joint project with the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM). Called “From Fargo to Findlay: A Journey for Justice”, the project involves locked out workers from Findlay and a BCTGM represented factory embarking on a road trip from Fargo, North Dakota (where the aforementioned factory is located) to Findlay. The USW says the road trip’s aim is to “focus attention on the most recent wave of greed-motivated corporate attacks on workers and their unions.”

16th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear increases 2011 sales, earnings despite low Q4 volumes

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has reported increased sales and earnings for the fourth quarter of 2011 and the full year. In the Europe, Middle East and Africa region the company improved on its 2010 figures, with segment operating income up to $627 million, compared to $319 million in the previous year. The company’s fourth quarter represented a slowdown in the region, shipping fewer tyre units than in 2010 – 16.9 million vs. 17.7 million – and it predicted that 2012 would be down by up to nine per cent in European consumer business, with worse predicted for the commercial original equipment market. Chairman and chief executive officer, Richard J Kramer commented on the company’s overall sales and segment operating income records by saying the company had “successfully managed a challenging economic environment.”

14th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Analysts: Few reasons to buy Michelin stock

In light of only “modest” improvements on second half EBIT predictions and a “rather low quality free cash flow”, financial analysts are not optimistic about Michelin’s ability to sustain it share price.

In an investor’s report published 13 February, Morgan Stanley reported that Michelin’s 974 million euros of pre-tax profits (EBIT) in the period may have been 5 per cent above consensus expectations, but it was driven by gains in the mining tyres business.

14th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental takes over ContiTread marketing from Marangoni

As of the second quarter of this year Continental will assume responsibility for the marketing of its ContiTread precure treads. Previously Italy’s Marangoni group didn’t just produce these treads for the German manufacturer, it was also in charge of marketing the brand in Europe. “We successfully introduced ContiTread precure treads into the European market in 2008 through a licensing agreement with Marangoni. As of April 2012 we will begin marketing ContiTread directly through our own marketing organisation,” explained Christian Sass, director Retread Business Commercial Vehicles Tires (CVT) Continental.

13th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Sonoco appoints former Michelin man

Global packaging company Sonoco has elected former Michelin North America president and chairman James M. Micali its independent lead director. Amongst other duties, in his new role Micali will preside at executive sessions of the company’s independent directors and at any Board meetings at which the chairman is not present. In addition, the he will confer with the chairman regarding Board meeting agendas, schedules and information sent to the Board.

10th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Managing supply the greatest challenge for 2012, says Yokohama’s King

Last year was a “very challenging year” for Yokohama Tire Corporation, reports Dan King, senior vice-president of sales and marketing at Yokohama’s North American operation. King describes the North American consumer tyre market as being “basically flat” and says in light of this Yokohama was pleased to have grown in all segments of its business.

10th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear joins automotive green group

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has become the latest company to join The Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP), a collaboration between automotive manufacturers and suppliers and the US Environmental Protection Agency that aims to create new business-centred approaches to environmental protection; solutions that address green issues while providing value throughout the automotive supply chain.

10th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Findlay talks break down – again

Recently resumed talks over a new contract for Cooper Tire & Rubber’s Findlay plant in Ohio have already stalled, local media sources report. Representatives from the tyre maker and the United Steelworkers union only began negotiations again on 6 February, yet a union official told the Coshcoton Tribune that they’ve already stalled.

8th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Rolling resistance not important for US tyre buyers, says TIA

During a workshop organised by US body the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration on 3 February, the Tire Industry Association voiced its significant reservations towards the establishment of a tyre label in the US – because statistics show a key quality to be measured is unimportant for consumers.

8th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

US favourite for new Michelin plant?

Speculation still exists regarding Michelin’s furtively-named “Project Cougar”, however it appears possible the Felidae plan may find a home in Anderson County, a location in the US state of South Carolina where the tyre maker already employs some 700 workers. Michelin North America has been named as the company considering setting up two projects in the area. Should they go head in Anderson County, these projects would be established with an investment said to be at least US$550 million and likely to be in the “$600 million to $1 billion” range if built according to plan.

8th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Talking again – Cooper, USW restart Findlay discussions

It’s been a good six or seven weeks since the Findlay talks between Cooper Tire & Rubber and the United Steelworkers union broke down, and no positive news has been heard on the subject since the start of the year. Now it seems the two parties are finally working again towards an amicable solution. Local news source WTOL reports that Cooper Tire management met with union leaders on 6 February; discussions between the tyre maker and the union are said to have lasted some six and a half hours, and meetings are scheduled to resume this morning.

7th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama announces US price rise

Prices for Yokohama consumer tyres will rise by up to eight per cent in the US as of 1 March 2012. Yokohama Tire Corporation says the increases apply to all passenger car, performance and light truck lines, and some in-line adjustments will also be announced at a later date.

6th February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

April launch for Hankook Tire America dealer programme

At a recent dealer event, Hankook Tire America unveiled plans to launch an associate dealer programme during 2012. US-based industry publication Tire Review reports company officials as saying the as-yet unnamed programme will be formally introduced on 1 April. While details are still being finalised, the programme will apparently feature a tiered volume- and product-based bonus reward system. Participating dealers will receive start-up and POS kits. Hankook shares that distributors will be eligible for cash rewards based on sales volume and sales of key premium tyres.

3rd February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone establishes Americas mining business unit

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations reports it has reorganised the Bridgestone Commercial Group and set up an integrated mining tyre business unit. The new business unit, Bridgestone Mining Solutions, combines all mining tyre sales, service and sales engineering, as well as a select group of US and Canadian stores, into one integrated structure. Shawn Rasey will lead the new organisation as vice-president, Bridgestone Mining Solutions.

3rd February 2012/by Tyrepress Editors