During a conference call on February 25, Titan International chairman and CEO Maurice Taylor Jr. disclosed that the company intends to produce its first 73.5-inch low sidewall OTR tyres by April. Prototype 73.5 steel wheels have already been produced at Titan’s wheel production facility in Quincy, Illinois, and preparations for the tyre are now underway at the company’s Bryon, Ohio factory.
Founded in Pocklington over 40 years ago, Bond International now occupies a 140,000 square foot site on the town’s industrial estate and employs nearly 100 local people. In addition, the company operates distribution depots in Chepstow, Stevenage and Redditch, which together employ a further 90 people. And adding an international flavour to the operation are representative offices in both China and Singapore. Bond International reports that these two offices assist in the sourcing of brands that provide an alternative to the ‘premium manufacturer offer’. By researching new and competitively priced manufacturing facilities around the globe, Bond has been able to offer exclusive mid-range tyre brands. An example of this is Infinity.
Local media are reporting that USW workers at Denman Tire Corporation’s lone plant in Leavittsburg, Ohio have been told that the troubled tyre-maker is out of money and its banks are not extending credit. 200 union workers met late last week for an explanation of why they were sent home earlier this month and instructed to not return until further notice.
Bridgestone Corporation reports that 2009 presented the company with a “challenging” operating environment due to weakened consumer spending and declines in private sector capital investment which counteracted signs of recovery among some exports. However, the Japanese manufacturer states that although the economic recession in Europe and the US continued, some sectors showed signs of stabilisation. A recovery in business climate was observed in China and despite challenging conditions, the business climate in other regions began to show slight signs of recovery. Against such a backdrop, the tyre major achieved net sales of 2,597.0 billion yen (₤18.3 billion), a 20 per cent decrease on the 2008 fiscal year. Operating income, at 75.7 billion yen (₤532.2 million) was 42 per cent down on the previous year and net income, at 1.0 billion yen (₤7.0 million), dropped 90 per cent from 2008. Additionally, during the year Bridgestone recognised as an extraordinary loss 10.6 billion yen (₤74.5 million) in costs linked to its plant closures in Oceania.
Describing the company’s fourth quarter 2009 results as “solid”, Goodyear Tire & Rubber chairman and CEO Robert J. Keegan described the improved gross margins, segment operating income and net income achieved as a “reflection of the success we had in strengthening our business despite a challenging economy and operating environment.” However this chirpy final quarter was not enough to deliver sales above those achieved in 2008, and an annual net loss of $375 million was recorded, as opposed to a loss of $75 million a year earlier.
Shandong Province based Qingdao Odyking Tyre Co. Ltd. produces and markets a full range of radial and bias tyres, including passenger car, light commercial vehicle, truck, OTR, industrial, agricultural and lawn tyres. The company reports on its website that it produces six million tyres per annum and offers quality assurances in the form of ISO9001, DOT, ECE, GCC, CCC and other certifications.
Stamford Tyres is an established exhibitor at Tyrexpo Africa and has supported the show since being launched in 2004. In March the Singapore based company will once again be using the show to further endorse the group’s growing presence in the South African tyre and wheel market.
Over a period of more than two decades, Germany’s Steinbichler Optotechnik has developed a reputation as worldwide leading supplier of high-performance shearography tyre inspection systems. More than 200 units (designed for the inspection of passenger car, light truck and aircraft tyres) have to-date been installed in tyre manufacturing and retreading facilities – from medium-sized, local enterprises up to international tyre businesses.
Continued increases in the cost of raw materials and energy-related expenses are the stated reasons behind the first increases in Yokohama Tire Corporation’s light and medium truck tyre prices since September 1, 2008. The US market price rises will take effect March 1, with prices increasing by up to seven per cent. Yokohama also states that in-line adjustments will occur. Details of these will be announced at a later date.
Lawlyn Vulcanising Systems manufactures a complete range of Lawlyn brand truck, tractor, grader and OTR repair systems. These items, manufactured at the South African company’s site in Alberton, south of Johannesburg, are used daily in the repair of tyres at the company’s Hlanganani Tyres subsidiary, an operation that has a number work stations working to the newly gazetted South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) approved OTR Repair and Retreading Standard.
New York-based Eurotire Inc. has today announced the addition of three new personnel members to its global organization, reporting to senior management at its New York headquarters. Kent B. Henschen has joined Eurotire as vice president of marketing and corporate communications. Henschen’s responsibilities with Eurotire include: corporate vision and market and product strategies; global corporate brand; supporting senior management with corporate policy and strategic marketing and communications guidance.
When he’s not taking responsibility of Bridgestone’s UK operations, managing director John McNaught’s remit also includes the Republic of Ireland and the Nordic markets of Denmark, Sweden and Finland. For the purposes of the exclusive interview given to Tyres & Accessories/tyrepress.com at the end of 2009 McNaught generally spoke in his UK capacity, however while the questions centred on the UK, the answers give an insight into the general thinking behind the company’s recent development. John McNaught has worked for over 30 years within the tyre industry, gaining wide experience in equity distribution with a major focus on the truck tyre business. Here he has used this experience to help support Bridgestone to be one of the key players within the UK.
When Italian company MAI International arrives at Tyrexpo Africa, pride of place on the company’s stand will be its new “Minextra” range of mining tyres. This range includes the L5 and L5S. The L5 features a traction profile for increased grip and a deep tread for protection against cuts and impact damage. The compound used in the L5, MAI International adds, is a cut resistant compound particularly suited to use in underground mines. The sidewall, shoulders and beads have also been reinforced for increased protection and stability. Furthermore, says MAI, built in heavy-duty sidewall fenders offer increased protection against cuts and abrasions. The L5S features a smooth profile, yet also features the deep tread, reinforced sidewall, shoulders and beads, and sidewall fenders found on the L5 for protection against cuts and impact damage.
Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International, has announced price increases for its Titan branded OTR, agricultural and construction tyres, and Titan manufactured Goodyear branded agricultural tyres. These price rises will take effect March 1, 2010, and will in most cases incorporate an increase of up to six per cent. Titan comments, however, that “certain tyre prices may rise in excess of six per cent due to realignment and positioning of the product.”
Titan Tire Corporation has attained the new ISO 9001:2008 certification with Design Standards for the company’s facilities in Des Moines, Iowa; Freeport, Illinois; Bryan, Ohio; Dublin and Pendergrass, Georgia. “Independent testing is an important step in fulfilling our customer satisfaction goals,” said Titan Tire president Bill Campbell. “This certification affirms the quality of the design, manufacture, assembly and distribution of Titan tyres, tyre and wheel assemblies and brakes and actuators.” The company has held ISO certification since 1994.
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