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Kraiburg Complies Early With New Directive

On January 1st 2010, European Directive 76/796/EEC comes into force. The new Directive prescribes limits on the permissible percentage of processing oils containing PAHs (polycyclic aroma¬tic hydrocarbons) which are subject to declaration. It will be illegal to produce tyres which do not conform to the specified limits. Processing oils plasticise the rubber compound, making it more flexible and pliable during the blending process.

However, Kraiburg’s retreading partners needn’t worry, as the company started to adapt all its precure retreads back in 1997 and completed the process at the beginning of 2007. The aim was to ensure that customers adhering to the Kraiburg three-year shelf life policy for precured treads would not have non-compliant goods in stock at the beginning of next year.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Schaeffler Mechatronics Head Awarded for Innovations

A cause for celebration within the Schaeffler Group came on July 8 when the company’s head of Mechatronics, Bernd Gombert, was awarded the Federal Republic of Germany’s Federal Cross of Merit with Ribbon. Gombert earned this impressive sounding award for being, as the Bavarian State Ministry of Sciences, Research and the Arts, Martin, Zeil noted, amongst the “recognised top performers of our country and [is] among those who set a standard in terms of enthusiasm, motivation and cooperativeness.”

8th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Where the Rubber Hits the [Off] Road

The word unique is arguably overused in the tyre business, however in the case of Michelin’s Almeria proving ground it is certainly appropriate. Situated in the south of Spain, Almeria is the largest purpose built EM/OTR test facility in the world, which means Michelin has free reign to put products such as the new XHA2 (see textbox) through all manner of torture in the name of product development. It also provides the valuable opportunity for discrete and detailed original equipment testing, something that vehicle manufacturers will clearly appreciate.

Michelin bought the 4,500-hectares of land the Almeria off-road tyre test facility is now built on in 1977. The site was chosen because it is one of the driest places in Europe with the express purpose of developing it into a centre of excellence for earthmover/off-the-road tyre developments. More than three decades after Michelin moved in, the latest generation of OTR tyres are tested on surfaces ranging from thick mud to sharp objects designed to literally stretch the company’s tyre treads to the limit. In total there are over 100 kilometres of track where automated long term testing “robots” circle various courses ad infinitum to measure durability. Throughout the site modern testing equipment is used on some of the newest and largest machines in the business. For example you can’t miss the fact that Michelin’s Almeria centre is home to the only CAT 797 currently operating in Europe.

25th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Nortenha Puts Retreads to the Test

Portuguese retreader Recauchutagem Nortenha and Kraiburg Austria recently joined forces in a series of spectacular demonstrations, aimed at illustrating the quality of Kraiburg patterns and retreading. The vehicles used included buses and tankers and they were subjected to a series of tests, including overturning while cornering (the vehicles were fitted with stabilising wheels), aquaplaning and skidding. The stringent tests subjected the vehicles and tyres to load impacts and transverse forces which never occur in normal driving.

Customers were invited to the promotional event and the invitation was taken up by representatives from over 40 well-known companies from Portugal’s freight forwarding, passenger transportation and construction industries, keen to explore the products behind the slogan “More miles in full safety!” The aim was to show existing customers and potential new cus¬tomers that retreads most definitely stand comparison with new tyres.

23rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Mobile Awareness Releases Obstacle Detection System

Mobile Awareness, a US provider of leading transportation safety products today announced the SE (Sensor Enhancement) version of its SenseStat Obstacle Detection Sensor System family, designed to prevent accidents caused by commercial vehicles reversing.

SenseStat simultaneously monitors four zones at the rear of a vehicle indicating the area closest to an object. It is accurate within one inch, affordable and intended for use on commercial, off-road, lift truck and construction vehicles. The SE version is a new design improvement which maximizes protection of the sensors, while providing greater mounting flexibility and reliability. These features found on the SE version are further enhanced by a full three year limited warranty.

4th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

GITI to Construct New Chinese Proving Ground and R&D Centre

Another crucial area of responsibility for ETC’s leadership is the development of new global test facilities, test equipment and methodology. For the time being, at least, this centres on two key multi-million dollar projects – the development of the company’s recently constructed R&D centre alongside its Hefei City, Anhui Province manufacturer facility and the design and construction of a new cutting edge proving ground. The idea here is to bring premium quality tyre testing and development to China in order to enable the entire global company to produce higher order products, with the ultimate aim of competing with the premium manufacturers.

27th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

TRW Opens China Test Facility

TRW Automotive Holdings has announced the opening of a new test track in Heihe, northern China. Work at the site began in 2006 and TRW states that during the last three years a “significant investment” has been made in the facility. The track specialises in winter testing and includes a variety of track surfaces designed to test active safety systems such as advanced braking and steering systems and integrated vehicle control and driver assist technologies. According to TRW, the opening of the test track, which is to receive support from the company’s Shanghai technical centre engineers, completes its footprint to locally engineer products and applications for China-based customers.

18th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Nokian Introduces ‘Truck F’ Dedicated Winter Steer Tyre

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta truck tyre family is being expanded through the introduction of the Hakkapeliitta Truck F, a truck and bus steer tyre designed for winter conditions. The Truck F extends the range that began with the Truck E drive tyre a year ago and enables users to equip their entire vehicle with tyres from the Hakkapeliitta line-up.

According to Nokian, the development goal its designers applied was to introduce the world’s best winter steer tyre. The manufacturer reports that this multipurpose tyre comes into its own on medium to long-haul usage, and while it is at home on main arterial routes and motorways it can easily cope with winding, narrow roads.

8th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Regulatory Revolution Leaves Enforcement Challenge

When the news that the European authorities were about to agree a new set of regulations for tyre noise, rolling resistance, wet-braking and labelling a month ago, Tyres & Accessories noted that early versions of the draft laws had (in 2008) provoked criticism from within the tyre manufacturing industry. A year later when details of the legislation’s first reading were published it became clear that the revised text had been substantial modified to better reflect the practical implications of implementing such far reaching legislation. With this in mind T&A interviewed European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturer’s Association (ETRMA) secretary general Fazilet Cinaralp, and chairman Dr Francesco Gori – whose membership includes all the leading European tyre manufacturers and those with production facilities within the continent.

Tyres & Accessories (T&A): A year ago ETRMA and some of the individual premium tyre manufacturers described the EC guidelines as unfeasible. What has changed since then?

27th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

‘UK Tyre Industry Needs Successful Brityrex’

Brityrex 2010 has been endorsed by leading industry names as the UK’s only dedicated tyre, workshop equipment and accessories exhibition as the trade show’s organisers gear up to return to Manchester on 5, 6 and 7 October 2010.

Kings Road Tyres, Beissbarth, Apaseal, Hofmann Megaplan and Techking Tires are just some of the companies who have already committed themselves to the show, following news of its postponement for 2009. “It’s very encouraging that the vast majority of businesses who were due to exhibit this year have already said ‘yes’ to 2010,” said Paul Farrant, managing director of exhibition organiser ECI International.

27th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Klarius Invests £1.2 million in UK Manufacturing

Klarius Group, the exhaust manufacturer, reports that it is currently enjoying success despite the challenging market having invested £1.2 million in its UK manufacturing and R&D facilities over the last 18 months. According to the company, the investment has gone into moving production arrangements over to lean manufacturing, fast track product development for exhausts and catalytic converters and in-house logistics facilities.

The Klarius Group was formed in August 2007 following the acquisition of the Emissions Control activities of ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Aftermarket Europe. In its final year of trading prior to the acquisition (2006/2007), the Emissions Control division registered a £7 million operating loss. However, since the Klarius takeover this has been turned around, as evidenced by the Group’s first set of accounts which reveal that Klarius moved into profit well within its first full year of trading. Favourable euro exchange rates have also combined with a strong international sales approach to secure new supply agreements and install new distribution facilities and warehousing across Europe.

8th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Tells of Increased Market Share

Goodyear Dunlop UK and Ireland has released the claim that, despite challenging economic conditions, the company has managed to increase its car tyre market share by a margin of over 4 per cent in the last four months. Over the company’s four major brands, including European-developed Fulda and Sava in addition to the best-known Goodyear and Dunlop names, the manufacturer states that it reached a two year peak of 27.1 per cent of the market during the last third of a year.

Group managing director, Mark Brickhill said that the Birmingham-based company’s strong and diverse portfolio of brands has been the key to gaining market share in challenging conditions. While the rest of the market was declining by 0.6 per cent, Goodyear Dunlop’s December consumer sales were 6 per cent higher than in the same month in 2007. The company says that its share of Market has been growing steadily over the last four months, reaching its aforementioned peak in December.

30th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear, Dunlop Tires Named ‘Best Buys’

In the US, the February 2009 issue of Consumers Digest showcases the best tyres on the market, as rated by the magazine’s editors, and a handful products from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. made the list. For the “All-Season Car Tires” category, Goodyear’s Assurance TripleTred is the premium selection. The Goodyear Fortera TripleTred is the premium choice in the “All-Season SUV/Truck Tires” category. On the Dunlop side, the SP Sport Signature was is the midrange selection in the “Performance Car Tires” category, while the Dunlop SP 60 is the economy choice in the “All-Season Car Tires” category.

The Consumers Digest comparison list shows top-rated tyres in premium, midrange and economy segments. According to the magazine, best buy is defined as a product that offers the most value for a given amount of money. “We are pleased that yet another independent source has recognized the tremendous value of our tyres,” said Joey Viselli, Goodyear brand director.

“Goodyear’s product development efforts have focused on an application of relevant technology – advancements that are technologically innovative, but which also offer discernible benefits to those who drive on our tyres.”

“This is another great recognition for Dunlop’s outstanding product line. We are pleased when independent sources and consumers recognize the performance of our tyres,” said Todd Hershberger, Dunlop brand director. “Dunlop’s prestige and passion are evident in the continued high level of our products, including the industry-leading original equipment fitments on some of the world’s best automobiles.” (Tire Review/Akron)

20th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Appoints New Luxembourg Tech Head

Formerly general director of the Goodyear R&D Technical Centre in the United States, Marc Junio, has been named the new general director of the company’s Luxembourg Technical Centre in Colmar-Berg. His appointment sees him taking over the role from Joe Zekoski, vice president Global Product Development & Technical Centre Operations, who will repatriate to Akron, Ohio.

19th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Truck Tyre Gains US Environmental Accreditation

Three of Hankook Tire’s commercial fleet tyres have been certified under the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Program. According to a company statement, this means the tyres are more environmentally friendly and have reduced rolling resistance by at least 3 per cent. The three certified products are: the AL07+ steer tyre, the Z35a drive tyre and the TL01 trailer tyre.

“Diminishing the carbon footprint, improving fuel economy and reducing costs are the key areas of focus for the commercial fleet industry currently,” said Brian Sheehey, commercial tyres director, Hankook Tire America Corp. “The SmartWay Program specifically addresses those concerns, providing fleet owners a clear means to reduce costs and help the environment. It’s a win-win, and Hankook is privileged to be a part of the solution with our SmartWay compliancy. This certification coupled with our industry-leading warranties and competitive pricing further enhances the value of our product offering to the 1,000 SmartWay Partners. This is a true validation of Hankook’s innovative technology, product and performance.”

15th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors