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Deldo Reports on a Successful Reifen Show

The Reifen Essen Show, arguably Europe’s most prominent tyre event, is still fresh in our minds, and participants are taking stock of the week’s activities. One company that has already reported a successful week is Antwerp, Belgium based Deldo Autobanden N.V., a veteran of numerous exhibitions in Essen. This year the company notes that, thanks to its sizable 140 square metre booth, Deldo held a prominent position during the May 20 to 23 show. Deldo adds it is very happy with the show’s organisation, the number of visitors and the exhibition’s overall results.

During the show several new products were launched. An additional exclusive budget range for Europe, Rockstone, was amongst these new offerings, and Deldo states that now all exclusive and private brands (Wanli, Roadstone, Fortuna, Minerva and Rockstone) can offer a total range in summer and winter tyres. Today, Deldo is preparing the winter season, and will – as in previous years – hold a very large stock of winter tyres.

29th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Industrial Tyremaker Established New US Warehouse

Solideal USA recently took over a 122,596-square-foot warehouse space in Joliet, Illinois. The warehouse, originally constructed in 1969 for Caterpillar, underwent a full renovation to accommodate its requirements, Solideal said, and now features 10 new exterior truck docks, a new drive-in door, and 10 trailer parking stalls.

The new facility consolidates separate facilities Solideal operated in Harvey and Rockford, Illinois. (Tire Review/Akron)

29th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Giving Additional Half Million Euros to China Quake Victims

The Michelin Group announced on May 27 it would donate an additional 500,000 euros for victims of the earthquake that struck China’s Sichuan Province. This new pledge strengthens initiatives undertaken by Michelin China and its local employees immediately following the earthquake.

On May 13, Michelin China announced it was donating for earthquake victims. That donation has since nearly doubled thanks to donations made by some 5,500 Michelin employees in China. Overall, Michelin will donate 600,000 euros. The Group’s additional donation will be used for specific projects to rebuild Sichuan Province and restore the mobility of its inhabitants. Michelin’s local teams are currently in the process of selecting those projects that will receive support.

29th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Receives Record Entries for “dreams at heArt” contest

The number of entries for Bridgestone’s “dreams at heArt” children’s drawing contest received during 2008 set a new record. A total of 40,700 entries were received from children in 20 European countries, and in mid-May a panel of judges in Brussels selected the 90 winners for this year’s contest, their decisions based upon the originality, creativity and impact of the work.

Combining the issue of ecology with that of road safety, this year’s theme was “Safe Travel on Planet Ecopia”. Primary school children throughout Europe were invited to draw, colour or paint their dreams of how this planet might look. As in previous years, winners were selected in each of three age categories: up to 7 years, 8 to 9, and 10 to 11. The top three winners in each category receive a Bridgestone bicycle and safety helmet; the 4th to 10th placed receive a Bridgestone tennis set of racket and balls; and the 11th to 30th placed in each category win a safety bag. The top nine winners are also acknowledged in a special way – their work will be painted onto a Bridgestone GP2 Series racing car. In addition, a digital camera will be gifted to their school.

29th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Announces Tyre, Oliver Rubber Tread Price Increases

Michelin in North America has announced price increases for some of its own tyre lines and for products manufactured by the Michelin owned Oliver Rubber Company. Continuing increases in raw material, energy and transportation costs are said to be behind these latest price rises.

Michelin North America will, effective July 1, 2008, increase prices between 6 and 36 per cent on Michelin, BFGoodrich and Kléber brand agricultural and compact line tyres and tubes sold in the US and Canadian markets. The company adds that back orders of record as of June 30 will benefit from price protection until July 31, 2008. The Oliver Rubber Company will increase prices for its retread rubber products by 5 per cent, effective June 1, 2008.

29th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Eliokem Increases Chemigum Nitrile Polymer Prices

At the end of May Eliokem increased its prices for products made in its Valia (India) plant by up to 13 per cent. The Valia plant specializes in emulsion polymerization of polymers and latices for both the rubber and latex industries. The products are marketed under trademarks such as Chemigum NBR Polymers in Latex, Powder and Bale forms; and Pliolite HSR High Styrene Butadiene Rubber Masterbatches.

“With the strong polymer demand globally and crude oil record highs, all major monomers and notably Butadiene used in rubber manufacturing are continuing to increase further, as are the costs of energy, chemicals, transportation and labour. Therefore, further price adjustments in June and in the third quarter cannot be ruled out”, said Jacques Collonge, CEO Eliokem.

28th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin: Tyre Markets Recovered in April

Sales in the European tyre replacement markets recovered in April, according to Michelin and industry analysts. European truck tyre replacement sales are reported to have grown 10 per cent; while Michelin’s numbers suggest that European passenger tyre replacement sales grew 4 per cent in April (compared with a -1 per cent year-to-date figure). Total OE sales are said to have grown by “a high double digit figure.” Responding to the report, Deutsche Bank analysts put the perceived recovery down to “the Easter weekend effect.” However, Tyres & Accessories’ research shows that the current sales situation may not be so rosy overall.

Taken in isolation, April was a very good sale month in France (which no doubt meant strong sales for market leader Michelin). This may explain why their calculation puts the European market up 4 per cent, but it conflicts with the ETRMA Europool data T&A has seen.

28th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook to Acquire 1.5 Million Outstanding Shares

Hankook Tire announced on May 26 it will purchase 1.5 million of its outstanding shares at a cost of 20.7 billion won (£10 million) in order to boost its stock price. The buyback begins on May 30 and will continue until August 29, and the amount of shares purchased will be the equivalent to one per cent of all outstanding stock.

28th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Vipal Launches VRT1 Tread

Increasingly influential Brazil-based retreading material producer, Borrachas Vipal, has launched a new medium to long-haul tread. The new Vipal-branded pattern has a tread width of 205 millimeters and a tread depth of 15 millimetres. According to Vipal, the new tread improves traction and protects casing integrity.

28th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo to Increase Prices in US

Prices for passenger car, light commercial, truck and bus tyre products sold by Toyo Tire U.S.A are set to increase by up to eight per cent. These increases take effect as of July 1.

“Rapidly escalating petroleum costs have affected both the cost of manufacturing and the transportation of both materials and products,” said Steve Weinger, senior vice president, sales & marketing, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “Toyo continues to do everything in our power to keep increases minimal while still providing a premium product for our valued customer.”

28th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Boughey Chooses X One Maxitrailer Tyres

Boughey Distribution has reportedly placed “a significant order” for Michelin’s new X One MaxiTrailer tyres, to be fitted exclusively across 100 Montracon and 30 Schmitz Cargobull tri-axle trailers which are currently being delivered into the Boughey’s fleet.

Designed to deliver up to 50 per cent more mileage than standard 385/65 R 22.5 XTE2, each new 455/45 R 22.5 X One MaxiTrailer tyre benefits from Infinicoil architecture, one of the Michelin Durable Technologies. This consists of a 400 metre steel cord wrapped continuously around the crown for greater longevity and even wear. Compared to a 385/65 R 22.5, the tread band is also 120 millimetres wider and has 35 per cent more rubber in the compound, which is said to be responsible for increasing the mileage potential of each tyre by up to 50 per cent.

28th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

USW, Unite Continue Plans to Merge

Great Britain’s Unite and the United Steelworkers (USW) have moved ahead with their plans to merge and create a global super-union. Representatives of the two million-member Unite and the USW met last week to hammer out merger details, with a final announcement of the merger expected at USW’s annual convention this July.

Unite’s membership covers Britain and Ireland, and are employed by such companies as BP, British Airways and Rolls Royce. The million-member USW represents US and Canadian workers in a wide range of industries, including steel and tyres. Long-term, the merged group envisions adding unions covering Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia, creating a complex global union that could seriously impact global corporations.

28th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Releases Report on Improper Payments Investigation

Since disclosing on February 12 this year incidents of improper monetary payments to foreign agents, all or a part of which may have been provided to foreign governmental officials, the CEO of Bridgestone Corporation, Mr. Shoshi Arakawa, has directed an ongoing investigation through an ‘Investigation Committee (the ‘committee’) comprised of external attorneys. On the three-month anniversary of the committee’s initial establishment, the company presented its interim report, which is outlined below:

1. Investigation

Since the announcement on February 12, the committee has conducted the investigation ‘vigorously’, says Bridgestone. However, the scope of this investigation is extensive and includes some of the company’s overseas subsidiaries. The subject of the investigation has now expanded to the entirety of Bridgestone’s Industrial Products division. Moreover, since the committee needs to consider not only Japan’s Unfair Competition Act but also the regulations of other countries, this latest report remains an interim report and has not been made final.

28th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

AAA Baseball Gets Yokohama Nod

Yokohama Tire Corp. will continue its relationship with US sports teams as sponsors of two AAA baseball teams – Scranton Yankees and Memphis Redbirds. According to Yokohama, each team will provide signage, hospitality events and product displays, as well as special promotions and in-store ticket giveaways and in-stadium contests.

The baseball sponsorships follow partnerships with three NBA teams, three NFL teams and two college football programs. (Tire Review/Akron)

28th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Tire Opens Asia Technical Centre

Cooper Tire’s position as an emerging global tyremaker has been strengthened by the opening of the Cooper Tire Asia Technical Centre in China. Located in Zhudi Town, 35 kilometres northwest of central Shanghai, the 5,000 square metre centre is intended to, says Cooper, to “position the appropriate tools, technology and intellectual resources closer to Cooper’s key customers in the region – its Asia production facilities and the Asia-Pacific markets.”

Facilities at the new centre include test wheels, a tyre forensics laboratory, tyre and rim storage, a vehicle lift, support workshops, materials laboratory plus offices, conference rooms and work rooms. It is estimated that more than 50 Cooper engineers, chemists and technicians will work at the facility, the third such centre operated by Cooper worldwide.

28th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors