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Tyre Production Resumes at Amtel-Vredestein’s Kirov Factory

Production at the Amtel-Povolzhye factory in Kirov, Russia has resumed as of December 8. Operations at the Amtel-Vredestein subsidiary facility had been suspended due to a lack of working capital following the foundering of merger talks between its parent company and Sibur-Russian Tyres. This pause in production was reported to have been scheduled only for the period between October 11 and 20, however the resumption of work was repeatedly postponed.

11th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

CTNA Expands Environmental Efforts

Continental Tire North America launched a new environmental program tied to reduction in tyre rolling resistance and reduced production emissions. The program – Continental Tire Responsibility – extends the company’s efforts at improving tyre-related fuel efficiency and cuts its use of resources while cutting CO2 emissions. According to Andreas Gerstenberger, CTNA executive vice president of sales and marketing, by 2012, the company is committed to reducing energy consumption by 18 per cent from 2007 levels; water usage by 17 per cent; waste by 16.3 per cent and CO2 emissions by 15.5 per cent.

“We are continually aligning the production, quality and performance of our products with environmental soundness, and we strive to conduct all of our activities in an environmentally conscious manner,” he said. “Going forward, each and every employee is obligated to protect the environment, and we will continue to avoid harmful emissions and waste. Continental is not just focused on a green message but a responsibility message which encompasses community, environment and fuel efficiency.” (Tire Review/Akron)

11th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan International Announces Q4 Cash Dividend

The Board of Directors of Titan International has approved a quarterly cash dividend of US$.005 per common share for the fourth quarter of 2008. The cash dividend is payable January 15, 2009, to stockholders of record on December 31, 2008

11th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Chinese Government Regulates Retreading

In 2008 the Chinese government launched a series of new industrial tyre retreading standards in a bid ot improve the sector’s reputation. The government hopes that the new regulations will open the floodgates for enterprises to make the most of the retreading opportunities available to them. China introduced two national mandatory standards Truck Retread (GB9037 – 2007) and Passenger Car Retread (GB14646 – 2007) on 1 April 2008. Two more state standards of Reclaimed Rubber (GB/T13460 – 2008) and Sulfurated Rubber Powder (GB/T19208 – 2008) were implemented on 1 October 2008.

11th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin OE for Honda City in India

Michelin India has announced an agreement to supply its silica based compound tyre Energy XM1 tyre as OE to the new Honda City in the Indian market.

“This initiative is part of our long term strategy for India and has also strengthened our relationship with Honda and we hope to continue with this relationship” said Mr. Jean Paul Caylar, the CEO of Michelin in India.

11th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Trains Tyre Techs For Work at Roadside

More than 100 roadside tyre technicians have been trained in safety best practice associated with working on busy roads, thanks to courses run by Bridgestone Tyres.

The course, set to the National Highways Sector Scheme 17, was introduced as part of the National Roadside Recovery Scheme (NRRS) to help regulate and improve the qualifications of roadside technicians, in response to growing concern over the qualifications of those contracted to carry out work on the roadside. Bridgestone responded to the introduction of the scheme, by working alongside the Institute of Vehicle Recovery (IVR), improving its training programme to ensure it covers all the areas outlined in the NRRS. This includes VR1 health and safety, VR2 customer service and VR3 assessing the roadside situation.

11th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Supervisory Board Extends Dr. Neumann’s Contract

Continental AG’s Supervisory Board has extended Executive Board Chairman Automotive Group Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann’s contract for a further five years. Dr. Neumann, who is also head of the company’s Automotive Group, has been a member of Continental’s Executive Board since October 2004 and chairman of the Executive Board of Continental AG since September 1, 2008.

11th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Germany Managing Director Resigns

The managing director of Bridgestone’s operations in Germany is to leave the company. According to Bridgestone Deutschland GmbH, Dr. Rainer Schieben, who has held his position with the subsidiary since October 1, 2005, has reportedly taken the decision to further his career outside the Bridgestone Group.

In a statement, Bridgestone Germany thanked Dr. Schieben for his service to the company and wished him all the best for the future.

11th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Former Bridgestone Executive Sentenced for Role in Price Fixing

A former Bridgestone Corporation executive has received a two-year prison sentence for his role in the marine hose bribery and price fixing affair uncovered in 2007. On December 9 the US Justice Department announced that Misao Hioki, who entered a guilty plea in a US district court in Houston, Texas, received the prison sentence plus a US$80,000 fine. Hioki is the ninth person to plead guilty during the Justice Department’s investigation.

11th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Nokian Using Russian Capacity in Difficult Market Conditions

Nokian’s decision to reduce its Finland-based tyre production output from 6 million to 4.5 million tyres will be coupled with increased Russian capacity, financial analysts have reported. According to a recent Deutsche Bank report, “[Although] current demand is smaller than Nokian’s capacity…Nokian is reacting quickly by reducing capacity in order to maintain a high proportion of high priced products.”

10th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Names BMTR as Top Dealership

Birmingham Motor Tyres (BMTR) has been named as the overall winner of Bridgestone’s First Stop Business Development Programme, which recognises outstanding achievement by First Stop dealerships across the UK.

The dealership, which has two retail outlets in the Midlands, was judged on a number of criteria including performance in tyre safety checks, the appearance of staff, workshop and reception areas, alongside staff expertise and training. The dealership scored particularly highly on customer service and was announced as the overall ‘Centre of Excellence’ title winner, receiving a complete refurbishment of the Coleshill site’s reception area and gift vouchers for the employees.

10th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear OptiGrip Wins Innovation Award

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.

10th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

China to Generate 200 million End-of-Life Tyres by 2010

China Tyre Retreading, Repairing and Recycling Association statistics show that the number of end-of-life (ELT) tyres discarded in the People’s Republic grew from 32 million in 2000 to 150 million in 2007, while the raw weight of ELTs increased from 12 thousand tons to 3.1 million tons. The association predicts China will generate 200 million waste tyres by 2010, however with the new tyre to retread rate in recent years staying between 4 and 7 per cent it is difficult to say how many of these will be retreaded.

10th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Solomon Alsberg Selects Alcoa for Russian Forged Alloy Wheels

Alcoa, is now supplying lightweight forgings for Solomon Alsberg’s range of exclusive quality alloy wheels. Russia-based Solomon Alsberg specialises in the niche vehicle tuning and customisation markets.

“Solomon Alsberg discovered that Alcoa offers the ideal mix of lightweight product with pricing, quality and flexibility,” explains Razinkin Alexander, marketing director of Solomon Alsberg Ltd. “Alcoa is one of the only suppliers offering forged blanks up to a size of 19 inches. When machined to their final style, the lightweight wheels weigh just 8.2 kg.”

10th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Tire Agreement with Findlay USW Union Ratified

During voting that took place on December 7 and 8 the United Steelworkers of America Local 207L ratified a new three-year contract with Cooper Tire & Rubber. The contract, set to expire on October 31, 2011, relates to Cooper’s Factory in Findlay, Ohio.

“This contract was very different from any negotiations we have faced before,” said Mark W. Krivoruchka, Cooper’s senior vice president, Global Human Resources. “The Local 207L committee needed to adjust wages and working conditions in a way that makes Cooper more cost competitive in the marketplace. I would like to thank the local and international union leadership as well as membership and acknowledge the good work they provided to approve and ratify a contract that positions the Findlay plant more competitively in today’s uncertain economic environment.”

10th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors