North America
As of August 1, Michelin North America will increase prices on a number of tyre ranges, a measure it says is being implemented as a result of rising raw material prices. Michelin brand replacement market agricultural tyres will on average coast 3.5 per cent more in the US and Canada, while prices for Michelin brand replacement market earthmover tyres sold in the US and Mexico will increase by three per cent.
Starting 9 July, consumers with smart phones can see the recently introduced Michelin Primacy MXM4 in action, reports Tire Review. The mobile phone scan option is part of Michelin North America’s promotion effort behind the launch of the new premium segment tyre. MNA said consumers can download the free code reader app at upcode.mobi. The luxury touring tyre is now available in 12 market sizes covering 16- to 19-inch wheel diameters. The tyre carries a 55,000-mile warranty for H/V speed rated sizes and a 45,000-mile warranty for W-rated sizes.
Solideal, the UK’s leading player in the industrial tyre segment, recently appointed a new UK sales manager. John Howe (30), who has worked for the company since he left school at 16, attained his promotion as part of the ongoing restructuring of the international company’s UK division. Based at the firm’s UK headquarters in Bridgend, South Wales, Howe will be managing the company’s expanding sales team.
“The company has really gained momentum in the last few years,” said Howe. “With all that recent changes I see my new position as one of driving the business forward in our established areas of business but also focusing on building the business in our new target areas.”
Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. has announced the death of its chairman, Carlos (Shozo) Kibata on June 26, 2010, following a brief illness. Kibata, aged 64, had been with the Toyo Tires organisation for more than 41 years and in addition to being chairman was until recently an executive corporate officer of Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., LTD. in Japan.
Titan Tire is reportedly bidding to acquire additional assets from the defunct Denman Tire, reports Tire Review. Reports say that Titan bid nearly $1.5 million to acquire some equipment and stock from the bankrupt and dissolved company. No land or buildings are part of the deal.
Tire Review reports American Tire Distributors has expanded its reach into Ohio with the opening of a new distribution centre near Cincinnati. The 85,158sqf unit is located in suburban Fairfield, Ohio. The company also announced plans to open its 86th distribution center near Indianapolis sometime this summer.
It’s been on the market here since 2004, but for our neighbours on the other side of the pond the Michelin X-Traction earthmover tyre range is so new you can still smell the factory-fresh rubber. The first offering in the range, a size 27.00R49 tyre, will be introduced into the North American market on July 1. This initial size will be followed up by a size 24.00R35 variant in September and two 33-inch fitments next year.
Michelin North America has celebrated the 40th year of production at its Ardmore plant in Oklahoma. The first tyre rolled off the line in 1970, and since that time the facility has grown considerably. Today the Ardmore factory covers almost 140,000 square metres of manufacturing operations and employs more than 1,700 people in the production of passenger car and light truck tyres.
Starting 1 September, all California automotive service providers will be required to check the tyre pressure of each vehicle receiving maintenance or repair service at their facility, reports Tire Review. The Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (AMRA) recently learned the California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposed an effective date of 1 September, 2010 for the adoption of Section 95550 in Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.
The cat’s been out of the bag for a couple of weeks, but now it is official – as of next year, Pirelli will serve as official exclusive tyre supplier to the Formula One championship. The Italian manufacturer will supply all F1 teams from 2011 to 2013, and no additional funds are required in order to do so.
The cat’s been out of the bag for a couple of weeks, but now it is official – as of next year, Pirelli will serve as official exclusive tyre supplier to the Formula One championship. The Italian manufacturer will supply all F1 teams from 2011 to 2013 and supply six types of tyre: four for dry weather, one for rain and one intermediate tyre.
Pirelli Tire North America has teamed-up with DUB, Ford, Microsoft and Roush Industries for the customized Crackdown 2 version of the 2011 DUB Edition Ford Mustang V6, reports Tire Review. The customized car, tied in with the launch of the XBox 360 Crackdown 2 video game, will be given away in a sweepstakes.
In North America the Uniroyal brand belongs to the Michelin product portfolio, and a new high performance tyre released in this market is the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season, which will be launched on July 1. According to Michelin North America, the tyre is engineered to meet the ultra-high performance needs of drivers of sports cars in a range of weather conditions.
Pyrolysis based recycling company Carbon Green has identified Southern Ontario, Canada as the focus for phase one of the North American rollout of its full-scale tyre recycling plants. John Novak, president and CEO of Carbon Green, stated: “We have identified Canada as a world leader with very high standards of environmental practices which fits with our expansion plans for our unique proprietary technology that 100 per cent recycles used tyres into high grade commodities including Carbon Green (a carbon black substitute) which is the key component required for new tyre manufacturing with zero waste and zero emissions. We are therefore pleased to announce that we have chosen the southern Ontario region as the first location to launch our standardised plant rollout in North America.”
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The National Business Group on Health, a non-profit US based association of large employers, has honoured Michelin North America with its highest award, the Platinum Award, for its commitment and dedication to promoting a healthy workplace. The Platinum Award also acknowledges Michelin for encouraging its workers and families to support and maintain healthy lifestyles.
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