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Bridgestone and Michelin in Disagreement over Tests

French website autoactu.com has reported details of a conflict between major tyre manufacturers Bridgestone and Michelin over the comparative energy-saving properties of Michelin’s Energy range of tyres. Bridgestone presented the results of an experiment testing Michelin’s promise of reduced fuel consumption when using their Energy tyres. The experiment was carried out at the behest of one of its carrier customers and, as a result, involved head-to-head performance comparisons with Bridgestone’s own conventional tyres. The initial results, said Bridgestone, showed no significant differences in the performance of each tyre. However Michelin were quick to dispute this conclusion, citing 70 tests involving tyres from both organisations, where the Michelin tyre came out on top in terms of fuel consumption and criticising the methodology of the tests, in which the company was not involved.

20th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Gori: Pirelli Must Expand in China, Russia & Brazil

Pirelli Tyre must consolidate its presence in mature markets and expand in high-growth areas such as China, Russia and Brazil, stated CEO Francesco Gori in an interview with Italian newspaper Milanzo Finanza. When asked why he did not include India as a focus country, Gori said sales in this market are impacted by the absence of a modern highway network: “India is not yet at the level of Brazil, China, and Russia.”

Mr. Gori said raw material prices have risen more than expected and that in such difficult market conditions, meeting targets is a challenge. He added that a listing of Pirelli Tyre is not on the agenda, and will not be considered in the near future.

20th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Belshina to Increase Output by 7%

A more efficient use of production capacity should see tyre output increase by 7 per cent this year at Belshina. The Belarus based company is reported to be planning an upgrade of its existing processing lines and the introduction of a new tyre assembly system. Its output of OTR tyres is also set to expand following the commissioning of an OTR radial assembly system supplied by the VMI Group. The system can accommodate tyres between sizes 17.5 R25 and 24.0 R35, although it will be principally used for manufacturing 21.0 R35 and 24.0 R35 size tyres suitable for rigid dumper applications. Belshina will reportedly increase output to just under 28,500 units per year, with 37 new sizes and types introduced by 2010.

20th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Launch Bandag Chain to Boost Japanese Retreads

The Bridgestone Corporation has announced that it is to promote its recycled tyre business through Bandag, a new retail chain based on their retreading business acquisition of last year: the US firm Bandag Tire Solutions. The chain will look to employ the technology of Bandag Tire Solutions to retread around 10,000 tyres every year. Bridgestone plan to open its first new Bandag depot by the end of the year, and to spread the presence of the chain to 20 over the next three to four years. Each one will be the subject of a 100 million yen investment.

20th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Report: Retreads are Greener than New Tyres

An independent analysis carried out to compare the relative carbon footprints of new tyres and retreaded tyres has concluded that the process required to manufacture and distribute a retreaded tyre produces significantly less carbon emissions than that required to produce a new tyre. The report, commissioned for the Centre for Remanufacturing and Reuse (embedded within Oakdene Hollins Ltd) and carried out by carbon footprint specialists Best Foot Forward, compares the carbon footprint of a new and a retread 17.5” tyre for use by light commercial vehicles.

This study showed that the manufacture of a 17.5” new tyre produces 86.9 kg CO2 emissions compared to 60.5 kg CO2 for an equivalent retread tyre, a saving of 26.4 kg. This equates to a reduction of emissions by 30 per cent.

20th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bandengroothandel Mast: Heavy Tyre Development

Netherlands based industrial tyre specialist Bandengroothandel Mast placed a particular emphasis upon its expanded range of very large, heavy tyres for port and quarry duties at Reifen 2008. A key product on display was the large industrial tyre from Tianli, the HarbourMaster. This item, says Mast, attracted much attention from visitors at the show. Company director, Sander Mast, stated: “During the past eighteen months we have extensively increased our activity within the large industrial sector of the market and can provide a very flexible and diverse selection of large patterns and sizes for busy port and quarry and mining environments. The Tianli HarbourMaster is a specialist harbour tyre complete with an L5 compound and extra deep tread which has already been very well received around the world in busy port working environments.”

20th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin North America to Invest $90M in Lexington Facility

A US$90 million investment is planned for Michelin North America’s facility in Lexington, South Carolina. The additional capital will be used to upgrade plant equipment and expand capacity at the site’s passenger car and OTR tyre factories. The news was announced by the company during a ceremony held in the region on June 19, at which it thanked local public officials and development agencies for their support of Michelin’s continued growth in Lexington.

“Lexington has been a great place for Michelin to produce some of the best tyres in the world,” said Jim Micali, chairman and president, Michelin North America, Inc. “And, we hope that Michelin has been equally good for Lexington County. We especially thank the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the chairman and members of the Lexington County Council, without whose support this investment would not be possible. Their efforts directly impact Michelin’s ability to expand manufacturing at this site and to continue to provide quality jobs in Lexington.”

20th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Produces 500 millionth Floating Brake Calliper

On July 19 Continental celebrated the production of the world’s 500 millionth floating calliper at its facility in Rheinböllen, Germany. Commenting on the occasion, Heinz Zingel, executive vice president of the Company’s Hydraulic Brake Systems Business Unit, which belongs to the Chassis & Safety Division, said “Each year, the Hydraulic Brake Systems Business Unit produces more than 33 million floating callipers at sites in Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, the USA, Brazil, China, Japan and Taiwan. Annual production is some ten million at Rheinböllen alone, making it the world’s leading production site for Continental brake callipers.”

20th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Analysts: Michelin Aiming for 10% of Hankook

Deutsche Bank analysts have characterised Michelin’s option to buy a 10 per cent shareholding in Hankook as a “goal” and added that they expect “more concentration in the future for the tyre industry.” The fact that Michelin’s decision to increase its stockholding in Hankook only a month after Bridgestone bought 8.7 per cent of Toyo Tire & Rubber was certainly not lost on the market watchers. “A tie-up with a competitor [like Hankook] should get them: Better OE prices – The industry has been so far incapable of fully passing off raw material price increases; Economies of scale on purchasing; and a geographical advantage (Hankook being very strong in China),” the analysts surmised, concluding: “It might take time before they can duplicate a Renault/Nissan type alliance, especially as we do not know how strong if any, the relationship between Michelin and the Cho family (controlling 35 per cent of Hankook) is.”

20th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Voronezh Factory to Pay no Amtel-Vredestein Dividend

Russian media has reported that Amtel-Vredestein shareholders will receive no 2007 dividend from the Amtel Chernozemye tyre factory in Voronezh, Russia, following a decision made at the facility’s annual meeting on June 9. The 2007 profit will instead be retained.

A second tyre making facility at the site – Voronezh-2 – is scheduled to enter series production in the near future, and will have a capacity of 2.5 million tyres per annum. The Voronezh-2 plant will bring the number of facilities operated by the company to four; factories also operate in Kirov (Amtel Povolzhye) and the Enschede, the Netherlands (Vredestein).

19th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Wins Motoring Euro Press Plaudits in Summer Tests

Pirelli have obtained eight overall victories and two top-three placements in 11 tests conducted by European motoring authorities and the specialist press.

The Cinturato P4, designed for medium displacement and city cars (with its ecocompatibility and safety-conscious characteristics) and the P Zero, the high technology tyre developed for the most sporting cars, have been singled out for the highest praise in their categories.

In Germany, the P Zero won four overall victories in four tests conducted by Auto Zeitung, Sport Auto, Sport Auto Tuning Spezial and Power Car, which unanimously voted it the top tyre in the reference segment.

19th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan International Continues Talks With Titan Europe

Titan Europe Plc’s directors are remaining in talks with Titan International regarding the latter’s possible offer for the remaining share capital of Titan Europe it does not already own. Titan International filed a Preliminary Proxy with the Securities and Exchange Commission Apr. 12, stating that a special meeting of Titan International stockholders would be held to approve the issue of up to 9,000,000 shares of Titan International’s common stock.

In order to reach this step, the company needs to file interim data for both Titan International and Titan Europe through June 30 in a final proxy. This information should be available at the end of July, and then the Titan Europe information must be reconciled with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). If the information is obtained by the end of July, Titan anticipates it will be able to file a final Proxy with the SEC by the end of August. The stockholders meeting will be held 30 days after the filing of the final proxy to vote on the issuance of up to 9,000,000 shares of Titan International Inc. common stock.

19th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Gates Tyres Joins First Stop

Bridgestone’s First Stop network of tyre dealerships has signed up Gates Tyres in Cumbria, bringing the total number in the First Stop network to 155. The First Stop network has added an additional 23 dealerships since the start of the year.

Gates Tyres retails car, commercial and agricultural tyres and has more than 50 employees across its two sites in Workington and Carlisle. The dealership is celebrating joining the First Stop network by taking part in two shows this summer including hosting a F1 show, featuring Bridgestone’s F1 car and simulator, at the Cumberland Show on 19th July and a tyre safety event for local shoppers on 20 July.

19th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Stock Falls after Michelin Takeover Rumours

Hankook Tire Co., share price corrected today after the price soared yesterday on the back of speculation that Michelin was gearing up for a takeover. Speaking to Tyres & Accessories and other news sources, Michelin denied this and Hankook’s share price today fell 5.2 per cent to 15,450 won after a 12 per cent gain yesterday. According to Bloomberg, the stock has dropped 14 per cent this year, compared with an 8.2 per cent decline in South Korea’s Kospi index. “Investors are selling Hankook Tire shares because they realize the chance of a takeover is very low,” Seoul-based Bookook Securities analyst Ahn Joong Hoon told Bloomberg. He continues to rate the stock as “buy.”

19th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Staff Changes

Falken Tire Corp. has promoted of Bruce Ware to the position of vice president of sales. Ware had been serving as Falken’s dxecutive director of corporate accounts, where he directed all sales activities pertaining to FTC’s regional and national retailers. In his new position, Bruce will now be responsible for all FTC sales activities in North America.

FTC also announced the retirement of John McAndrew, who has served as FTC’s director of wholesale channel sales for the past two years. With over 30 years experience in the tire industry, John brought to FTC a much needed maturity and professionalism that can only come through dealing with customers at the very highest levels, according to the company. (Tire Review/Akron)

19th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors