Product Development
On December 4, one of the most influential automotive industry awards in China was announced in Beijing. Known as the “China Auto Service Golden Finger Awards”, the awards are jointly held by Auto Driving & Service Magazine (one of the authoritative auto magazine in China) and Sohu Auto Channel. Since its inception it has developed to become one of the most influential and well-known annual lists in auto service industry.
The Goodyear OptiGrip – SmartWear Technology has been recognised for its new and original features, having received the Luxembourg Business Federation’s Innovation Award for 2008. Chosen for the distinction from a total field of 21 applications, the FEDIL panel concluded that an innovative product such as the Goodyear OptiGrip tyre will strengthen the technical and innovative leadership role of Goodyear, providing a demonstration of the R&D capabilities of its Luxembourg Technical Centre.
Hankook Tire has picked up awards for the design of its enfren and Optimo 4S tyres at the iF Product Design Awards 2009 ceremony, held in the German city of Hanover. The two tyres became the first passenger car tyres to ever win the design award organised by the International Forum Design. They were both awarded in the ‘Transportation’ category, and were judged according to their technology, environment friendliness, functionality, safety and design quality.
The tyres are appraised independently for their quality and performance in terms of the environment and fuel efficiency, and Hankook attributes the tyre’s recognised innovative qualities to its consistent 5 per cent investment into its Kontrol Technology programme, which it states is one of the highest proportional levels of R&D investment in the tyre industry. The enfren tyre was launched in Korea in June 2008 and according to the Korea Automotive Technology Institute reduces rolling resistance by 21 per cent and improves fuel economy by two per cent. The Optimo 4S is currently the only tyre in the world and first all-season tyre ever to receive the famous German eco-label, the Blue Angel (Der Blaue Engel, in use since 1978 and considered to be the world’s first environmental-related label for products and services).
The Roesler Group has announced that it is to support its core retreading business with a product branded “Roesler 360”. The new offering comprises what the company terms a “fully integrated ‘Total Tyre Management System’” for buyers, maintenance workshops, operators and users of EM and OTR tyres. Roesler says that it will offer customers “a complete tyre quality management, performance enhancing and tracking facility that ranges from first fitment, right through to the end of tyre life disposal and recycling.”
Roesler 360 incorporates the combined expertise, technical innovation, manufacturing and site servicing capabilities of the Roesler Group, its comprehensive range of tyre types and sizes and its diversity of applications. It will provide a highly flexible, customer focused and traceable system, which manages, analyses and reports a tyre’s total life cycle. It also features data on the tyre’s selection, fitment, use, performance, servicing, retreading and ultimate disposal, allowing the tyre to be fully optimised in terms of continuously improving its running costs, hours, safety, reliability and carbon footprint.
Bridgestone Corporation has released details of its “Mid-term Management Plan 2008” (MTP2008), which covers the period 2009 through 2013. The outline of the plan is as follows.
1. Basic Approach to MTP2008 Formulation
Bridgestone has formulated MTP2008, which covers the period 2009 through 2013, which is one year further on from MTP2007 (2008 to 2012). In making the revisions, Bridgestone updated and added initiatives in response to recent changes in the business environment, including changes in demand trends and the cost environment, in order to achieve the goals set in MTP2007.
Tyre operations at Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH) will be restructured, the company has announced, the changes taking effect January 1, 2009. Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama will lead the new unit, which will be named Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO). Reporting into this unit will be the company’s Latin American tyre operations, the US and Canadian consumer tyre businesses and the US and Canadian commercial tyre businesses. Nishiyama will continue to report to Mark A. Emkes, chairman, CEO and president, BSAH. Reporting to Nishiyama under this new structure will be:
Continental are to complete the acquisition of all shares in the Finnish spikes manufacturer TIKKA Spikes Oy, along with its Russian subsidiary OOO TIKKA, based in St. Petersburg.
Lothar Salokat, the director of Conti’s Korbach plant in Germany, stated that, “The deal will strengthen Continental’s winter tyre business as well as its position in Scandinavia and Russia. It is our intention that cooperation with other tyre manufacturers will continue via TIKKA Spikes.” TIKKA Spikes provides employment in Tikkakoski and St Petersburg for approximately 120 people. The TIKKA group states that “they will continue in the service of the new owner as workers of long standing.” The company’s estimated turnover is approximately 15 million euros for this year.
When Brazilian based retreading materials supplier Borrachas Vipal boosted its European market presence in 2005 with the opening of its first distribution centre, the company’s goal was to be one of the largest suppliers of tyre retreading and repair material on the continent, a brand recognised for the quality of its products. Vipal Europe believes this goal has been, three years later, well and truly reached, and confirmation of the company’s ever-stronger position in Europe can be witnessed through the establishment of a third distribution centre in the region.
Investors Brad and Jeff Danbom have purchased the assets of Cragar Industries Inc. from Global Entertainment Corp. The Danboms plan to move the company’s headquarters and operations from Tempe, Arizona, to Milford, Iowa.
The company’s existing distribution network will remain intact, according to Brad Danbom. “We plan on being much more aggressive with building brand equity and building relationships with the customers. We are also big believers in organic growth through new product development,” he says.
Smithers Scientific Services (SSS) Inc. has appointed Daniel J. Riley as vice president of polymer analysis, a newly created position. According to the company, Riley (37) will assume responsibility for all SSS Akron Laboratory businesses, including physical/mechanical testing, analytical testing, tyre service production and a new polymer consulting group. “Dan brings to Smithers significant experience in scientific management, product development and business acumen that will enhance our well-earned reputation of providing creative solutions for our global client base,” said Jay H. Lutz, SSS vice president and chief operating officer.
Apollo Tyres’ announced expansion plans have been augmented by the appointment of a new chief financial officer. Mr. Salil Gupta, formerly group CFO at Dentsu India, will in his new role oversee the organisation’s finance, taxation and accounts functions – Apollo states that his primary objective is to contribute to the organisation’s financial health and stability, ensuring full compliance with statutory guidelines and the company’s corporate governance policies. His responsibilities also include an advisory role to the company’s legal and secretarial functions.
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) has announced that Robert W. Handlos, currently Vice President Materials Development, will be promoted to the newly established position of Vice President, Product Development, effective August 1, 2008. In his new capacity, each of the product development groups located at BFNT’s Technical Center in Akron, Ohio will report to Handlos. Additionally, the Akron-based security function will continue to report to him, and Handlos will continue to hold responsibility for the product development facilities located at the site, as well as the company’s ATW race tyre manufacturing plant. Handlos will report to Yasutaka Enoki, who, as previously announced, will become Executive Vice President, BFNT, on August 1.
TVS Srichakra Limited, the largest Motorcycle tyre manufacturer in India, spent its time in Essen promoting the new expansion to its range of OTR crossply tyres. Having achieved the milestone of manufacturing 11.5 million tyres for the Motorcycle and Scooter segments, the company is working towards enhancing their brand TVS Eurogrip. Additionally the company’s display of products on Flotation, OTR and MPT showed off its New Product Development programme to a large extent.
Aluminium wheel producer and suppler Superior Industries International has appointed Parveen Kakar to the position of senior vice president, Corporate Engineering and Product Development. The 42-year old has been with Superior since 1989, most recently serving as the company’s vice president, Program Development. Kakar holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from India’s Punjab Engineering College.
On 1 May, Nexen Tire Corporation opened a branch office in Germany (Nexen Tyre Europe GmbH) and is reportedly in the process of scouting tyre specialists with more than 20 years experience to enhance the company’s marketing in Germany. In addition to the company’s existing UK branch, Nexen plans to open more offices in Spain, Italy, and France to expand its European sales network. Nexen Tyre Europe GmbH is being described as “the centre of Europe” for the Korean manufacturer. From here the company plans to execute localised marketing strategies in order to support European customer service.
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