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Goodyear Optitrac R+ OE for JCB Fastrac Models

Goodyear’s high speed Optitrac R+ farm radial tyre has been approved for fitment to the new 7000 series JCB Fastrac tractor. The specific tyres to be approved, says Goodyear, are the 540/75R28 Optitrac R+ front tyre and 650/75R38 Optitrac R+ rear tyre for the Fastrac 7170 and 7200, and the 600/70R30 Optitrac R+ front tyre and 650/85R38 Optitrac R+ rear tyre for the Fastrac 7230.

“We are very pleased that the high speed road and in-field performance of the new Optitrac R+ tyre has been recognized by JCB and approved for fitment to the new 7000 series Fastrac tractor,” said Eric Martin, OE manager farm and industrial tyres Europe.

25th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Cemex Tyre Fuel Report Shows Significant Nitrogen Oxide Reductions

Cemex UK reports significant reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions at its facility in Rugby following the partial changeover to chipped tyres as a fuel source. The company states its most recent trial met and exceeded a number of critical success factors it agreed upon with the Environment Agency.

In its 2007 Sustainable Development Report, Cemex stated “while burning tyres showed no detrimental effects to the environment, they replaced 12 per cent of fossil fuels and reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides by around 25 per cent. In 2007 we gained permission from the Environment Agency for the permanent use of tyres as fuel at Rugby, at a rate of up to three tonnes per hour.” The facility’s Environmental Index had improved by 33 per cent.

25th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Retreading Plant & Chinese Sales Key to Greater Goodway Earnings

Goodway Integrated Industries views its recent venture into China and the purchase of a plant in the Malaysian city of Shah Alam as key to greater future earnings, reports Malaysia’s The Star newspaper. The company, which was caught off-guard by a sharp increase in rubber prices during the first quarter, expects improved performance in the coming months following a review of its selling prices.

“We are able to pass down some of the price increases to our customers, which should help improve our profits for the rest of the year,” group CEO Tai Boon Wee said after the group’s June 24 AGM.

25th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Auto4 Appoints Terry Brooks as Business Development Consultant

Jonathan Formon, managing director of tyre consumables supplier Auto4, has announced the appointment of former Harvie Tyres and Rema Tip Top managing director Terry Brooks to the position of business development consultant. Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Formon said that the directors and shareholders of Auto4 have expressed their delight that Mr. Brooks has begun in this important role, adding that Terry Brooks brings with him vast competitive and operational experience obtained during more than 40 successful years within the tyre industry.

24th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

ITS an Intelligent Tyre System

Continental AG has unveiled a new prototype cyber tyre technology, designed to demystify the tyre management process. The battery-less Intelligent Tyre System (ITS) fuses a range of existing TPMS functions with an RFID-like wireless communication facility that will enable the sensors in each tyre to communicate with a central processor inside the vehicle. The system’s tyre ID technology, coupled with a tyre age function is designed to advise motorists of their tyre’s suitability.

According to Continental representatives, the sensors will be installed into truck tyres initially, with the first Continental-produced cyber tyres rolling off the production line around 2010. Continental was exhibiting this and related technologies as part of a ContiSafetyExperience event, which the company held at the OAMTC (Austrian AA equivalent) centre in Teesdorf, Austria. ITS had its first outing as part of the Continental Truck Tyre Roadshow exhibit that visited the CV Show earlier this year.

24th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone US Retail Outlets Now Hybrid-Ready

Bridgestone’s BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC), owner and operator of the world’s largest number of automotive retail outlets, has announced that selected Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, ExpertTire and Wheel Works centres in the US are now equipped for the servicing of hybrid vehicles.

“Almost 40 per cent of our stores are now approved to service hybrids,” said Darrell Rowe, BFRC manager of Education & Development. “We’re committed to providing our store teammates with the most current training and information available to ensure that our customers have a positive experience every time they visit one of our locations. In order to service hybrid vehicles, a store must complete a comprehensive training programme.”

24th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Uni Bull Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary

Banner Batteries (GB) is celebrating two decades’ manufacturing of its Uni Bull range of vehicle batteries. The battery, compatible with more than 900 vehicle models, boasts universality and versatility having become the first ever to possess two terminals – one for each side.

On release in 1988, the Uni Turbo range (as was the line’s initial name) offered what Banner call, “four post versatility”, meaning that the battery could be utilised in cars with right+/left- or left+/right- layouts. The battery was also suitable for standard fitting and bolt connections. 1997 saw Uni Turbo renamed Uni Bull, and was relaunched with patented Gortex leak protection. This trend of technical innovation continued in 2002, when the BannerAccusafe leak-proof system was introduced with an upgraded design, making the battery compatible with 900 DIN numbers. The Uni Bull secured a marketing coup with its new red casing, becoming known as “The Red One” on many an auto-parts retail outlet’s shelves.

24th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin’s Pilot Road 2 Tops European Tyre Tests

The Michelin Pilot Road 2 has for a second year come first place in tests conducted by European motorcycle publications. This year, Germany’s Motorrad magazine and France’s Moto Revue have awarded top honours to the Michelin products.

The Pilot Road 2 2CT received an impressive average total of 8.83 points out of a maximum possible 10 points in Moto Revue’s test, obtaining its best individual result, 9.5, in the roadholding category. Motorrad also declared the Michelin product its test winner, with its strongest individual result being in the wet handling category, describing the Pilot Road 2 as “virtually unbeatable” in the wet.

24th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Sentaida Appoints Shannon as Credit Manager

Sentaida International, the North American marketing and sales headquarters of China’s Sentaida Group, has appointed Brian Shannon as their new Credit Manager. Shannon – who has previously held the positions of Credit Manager for TBC Wholesale Division and Director of Credit for Treadways Corporation – will be responsible for overseeing credit and collections.

After more than 12 years’ experience in the industry, Shannon has been excited by the prospects of Sentaida International, saying that the company “supplies quality products at competitive prices” and prides itself on “long term partnerships with customers.” The appointment comes in lieu of Sentaida’s expansion of operations in Los Angeles, California and Miami, in addition to the St. Louis headquarters.

24th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Romania 2007 Turnover up 10.8%

Michelin Romania has posted a 2007 turnover of 340 million euros, a 10.8 per cent increase over the sales of 306.8 million euros reported a year earlier. This growth rate is, however, lower than in previous years – at its peak Michelin Romania’s annual turnover surged by around 35 to 40 per cent.

24th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Prices Continue to Rise in Developing Economies

Next month will see the rapid upward trend of tyre prices in eastern nations continue, as manufacturers and dealers in the United Arab Emirates have agreed to a uniform rise of six per cent across the board.

Head of the Bridgestone Tyre Centre in Dubai, Abdul Hayee, told journalists that the price increase – to be implemented on 1 July – has been necessitated by raw material costs spiralling upwards, a statement confirmed by Babu Karunanandan of Abu Dhabi Tyres. He added that “the UAE is a place where automobiles are an integral part of life and motorists have no other option but to accept the revised prices.

Meanwhile, in India tyre companies are plumping for another hike only two months after the last increase in May. JK Tyre has told domestic journalists that it plans a growth in prices of around six per cent in August, further to the two increases of 2.5 per cent each in January and June. In addition Apollo Tyres have already raised prices by five per cent in the current month.

24th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Tire Reducing North American Production

A decline in tyre demand and projected shortages of some raw materials have led Cooper Tire & Rubber to announce on June 23 that production in its North American facilities would be reduced during the second quarter of this financial year. The lowering of production during the quarter will, says the company, cost an estimated US$12 to 14 million.

24th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

JK Tyre Acquires Mexican Firm Tornel

Indian tyre firm JK Tyre & Industries has completed the purchase of a 100 per cent stake in Mexican manufacturer Tornel. The company reportedly spent 2.7 billion Rupees in bringing Tornel under its control. The move adds a 290 tonne production capacity in Mexico to JK’s domestic capacity of 650 tonnes.

In a statement from JK Tyre, the reasons cited behind the acquisition included the desire to increase the global impact of the firm, while the location of Mexico was particularly important in opening access to the North American Free Trade Agreement and the developing territories in Central and South America.

24th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Figures Reveal Varying Fortunes

Michelin reports healthy OE sales of radial truck tyres throughout Europe in May and for the 2008 year to date. Sales for the month were 11.2 per cent greater than those of a year earlier. Sales were significantly weaker in the replacement market, were a decline of 12.5 per cent on May 2007 was reported, and in both the OE and replacement segments of the European market. During the month unit sales for these dropped 4.9 and 4.3 per cent respectively. Sales of OE passenger car tyres for the period between January and the end of May, contrary to the month’s figures, were up 3.1 per cent, while the replacement sales dropped 1.9 per cent. Truck tyre OE sales increased 14.3 per cent in Europe between January and May, while sales in the replacement market was down 4.6 per cent on the five-month period of 2007.

23rd June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Announces Increased Environmental Technology Spending

Korea’s Hankook Tire has released details of its plans for an annual total of “at least 12.5 million euros” research and development spending on eco-friendly technology in the coming years. The company noted the industry trend towards decreased rolling resistance and fuel consumption as key concepts to be investigated using the money, while ensuring the sustainability of the manufacturing operation will also take up a key position in the ongoing research.

The announcement, prompted by the current climate of environmental awareness, is set to more than treble Hankook’s current fund for eco-conscious research, with the figure boosted to 0.5 per cent of the manufacturer’s global annual revenue – an increase of 350 per cent. Reportedly the world’s “fastest growing tyre manufacturer”, the firm’s commitment to R&D in this sector is designed to meet the growing demand of the market for ever-greater levels of environmental friendliness.

23rd June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors