North America
The China Manufacturers Association has hired Bob O’Donnell as its new OE and fleet sales manager. O’Donnell comes to CMA with more than 38 years of industry experience, most recently with Xtra Lease and Alcoa Wheel Products.
Michelin North America’s newly-released 2011 fact sheet reports regional sales of US$8.2 billion for the tyre maker in 2010, a 17.1 per cent increase on a year earlier and 34 per cent of Michelin’s total global sales. Last year Michelin employed approximately 21,400 people in the North America region, some 500 more than in 2009. This small growth in employee numbers occurred in the US and Canada, with the employee head count dipping slightly in Mexico.
Toyo Tires has announced today that it will support motorsports competitors across the USA through contingency programs, meaning amateur racers in a variety of disciplines can win cash and prizes if running on the company’s tyres. Disciplines eligible for the payments include SCCA racers, NASA road racers and SCORE-International desert racers.
The world’s only specialist sircraft tyre manufacturer, Birmingham-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has stated that the appointment of Ken Hutchins as technical sales manager will help to strengthen the company’s reach into North and South America. Hutchins has a wealth of experience in the aviation industry, having previously worked for aircraft wheels and brakes companies Goodrich and Messier-Bugatti. Based in Houston, Texas, and reporting to Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ sales and marketing director David Skepper, Hutchins will drive sales of the company’s products throughout North America and the fast-expanding South American markets.
By mid-March Cooper Tire & Rubber should be the proud 100 per cent owner of Cooper Kenda Tire. Upon finalisation of the US$116.5 million transaction the former 50 per cent Cooper owned joint venture operation will be renamed Cooper Kunshan Tire (contingent to government approval) in recognition of the city in China where it is headquartered. According to Cooper Tire, the transaction should be completed by March 15 through a wholly-owned company subsidiary.
Michelin North America has released a new tyre suitable for applications such as materials handling and airport ground support vehicles. Called the XZR, the new tyre is one the manufacturer says “provides increased operator comfort, speed capability and traction compared to the current Michelin offering for these applications.”
ATS Euromaster is to supply the Giti Tire manufactured Primewell brand of truck. Primewell tyres are already sold in Asia, North America, South America and mainland Europe. Giti Tire is reportedly the fourth largest radial truck tyre manufacturer in the world.
Richard Lyons, Giti sales director – Europe, said: "We were looking for a large national company whose values reflected our own focus on quality, innovation and the environment, and ATS Euromaster ticked every box. Fleets of all sizes are using Primewell tyres around the world and have commented on the difference they are making to costs and performance levels. We have every faith that our partnership with ATS Euromaster will help us swiftly establish a similar reputation in the UK commercial vehicle sector."
Michelin North America has launched a new initiative for passenger car and light truck drivers in the United States and Canada today, in which every set of Michelin tyres bought will be registered with the Michelin Promise Plan. The plan promises a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, three-year assistance with changing flats tyres and mileage warranties.
With relative shortages in supply and increased demand from the rapidly expanding emerging markets of the East pushing natural rubber and other raw material costs higher and higher, most tyre manufacturers are again raising their prices in response. But what do the latest raw material hikes mean for the world’s tyre manufacturers? And how much longer will this price boom continue?
Prices for Pirelli consumer products in the United States are to rise over the coming months. On March 1, 2011, the price of moto tyres will increase three per cent, while a five per cent increase for car and light truck tyres will be implemented on April 1. The tyre maker says increasing raw material costs, particularly natural rubber, are the reason behind this price hike.
Toyo Tire USA Corp will increase tyre prices across its passenger, light truck, commercial truck and off-road ranges on 1 March by an average of 8 per cent, a company statement said today. “This price increase is due to the continued rise in raw material costs,” said John Hagan, senior director of sales operations.
Two Hankook Tire America Corp. executives have opted to leave the company. Bill Bainbridge, director of brand communications, has decided to retire effective February 25. He joined Hankook in 2003 after stints with Toyo Tire USA, where he served as marketing director from 1996 to 1999 and as a regional sales manager from 2001-03. Prior to that, he held positions with SEMA, where he was vice president of marketing from 1999 to 2001; and BFGoodrich Tire. in a variety of in-store and field positions.
Hankook Tire has signed a contract with Ford to supply its premium Optimo H426 tyres for the 2011 Ford Explorer, which has been named the North American truck of the year. “Hankook Tire will come closer to customers in North America with its contract for the most popular SUV in North America, the Ford Explorer,” the company stated in a press release. (Tire Review)
Although Goodyear Tire & Rubber recorded a net loss for the third consecutive year, company chairman and CEO Richard J. Kramer states he’s “very pleased” with the tyre maker’s fourth quarter and full year 2010 performance. “Our operating results reflect significant recovery, with improvement across all of our businesses versus last year despite escalating raw material costs,” Kramer commented.
WIthin its full year 2010 results report, released February 10, Goodyear Tire & Rubber discloses plans to close its tyre making facility in Union City, Tennessee by the end of this year. A stated reason for proceeding with closure plans is the desire to “reduce high-cost manufacturing capacity globally” as per Goodyear strategy. The Union City plant currently employs approximately 1,900 people.
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