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Chinese Ministry Expresses “Deep Regret” after US Tyre Ruling

Continuing today’s theme of the fallout from the US International Trade Commission’s ruling that Chinese imports have disrupted the country’s markets, China’s Ministry of Commerce has expressed its “deep regret” at the decision. Yao Jian, a Commerce Ministry spokesperson posted the department’s reaction to the events on the ministry’s website:

“China has repeatedly expressed its opposition to foreign governments’ using safeguard clauses to launch investigations of Chinese products. The decision does not conform to objective facts, and also violates relevant World Trade Organisation rules in addition to U.S. law. We hope the U.S. will fully consider the actual situation of this case and proceed from the overall interests of the two countries’ industries,” Yao said.

Reuters reports that lawyers acting on behalf of Chinese manufacturers are arguing that US companies’ neglect of the low range market had occurred before they moved into the marketplace. The news organisation also notes that the complaint, which originated from the United Steelworkers, had not been voiced by US tyre producers.

19th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Avon Tyres helps Secure First Three-Wheel TT Victory

Dave Molyneux’s Avon shod Suzuki has given the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer its very first three-wheeled victory at the Isle of Man TT. Molyneux and passenger Daniel Sayle’s victory with A&J Racing Suzuki brings Molyneux’s TT win tally to 14, and marks the 20th anniversary of his first victory on the island.

“The Avons worked brilliantly and were a pleasure to use,” Molyneux commented. “I was delighted to use Avons this year, as I’ve not used them since 1993 when I won on them. In fact my first race win at the TT in 1989 was on Avons too!

19th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

ITC Rules in Favour of USW Petition

The quantity of Chinese made consumer tyres is indeed harming the local industry, the US International Trade Decision has ruled. On June 18 the ITC voted 4-2 in favour of a United Steelworkers initiated petition, which seeks to restrict permissible imports to 2005 levels. A ruling in favour of the petition means the ITC will meet again later in June to decide upon recommendations for the Obama administration.

19th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Gets Dealers Rugby Ready

When you hear the word ‘lion’ do your thoughts turn to the carnivorous big cat? No? Then Goodyear won’t have much trouble making you “Rugby Ready”. The company is helping its dealers catch the 15 a side fever with a new promotion it hopes will “get customers off the rugby pitch and into the forecourts.” In celebration of the brand’s partnership with the Rugby Football Union and the International Rugby Board’s Rugby Ready programme, Goodyear is offering rugby paraphernalia to dealers who buy direct from the company during June and July.

19th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Retreads Deliver 30% Lower Carbon Footprint – Study

An independent study commissioned by the Centre for Remanufacturing and Reuse has shown that the process required to manufacture and retreaded tyres produces around 30 per cent less carbon emissions that that required to produce a new tyre.

Testing for the study was carried out by carbon footprint specialists Best Foot Forward and involved the use of new and retreaded 17.5-inch light commercial vehicle tyres. According to the results obtained, the manufacture of a new 17.5-inch tyre produces 86.9 kilograms (191.6 pounds) of CO2 emissions compared to 60.5 kilograms (133.4 pounds) CO2 for an equivalent retreaded tyre; a difference of 30.4 per cent.

19th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Further US Reaction to ITC Ruling: Wait and See

While no one appeared to be surprised by the US International Trade Commission ruling yesterday on the USW’s petition to limit the importation of “Made in China” tyres, most took a wait and see attitude about the ruling.

The ITC voted 4-2 in favor of the union petition, saying that the growth in passenger tyre exports from China to the U.S. caused “disruption” in the US market. The ITC will send its specific ruling and suggested remedy on to the president by the end of this month, and the Obama Administration is slated to act by the end of September. “We anticipate that the final decisions on remedies will improve domestic job security, increase production and sales, and allow for investment in capital equipment to better compete in the global market for the long term,” said Tom Conway, USW International vice president. (Tire Review/Akron)

19th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Firestone Launches New UK AG Website

Firestone has responded to the communications and complexity challenges of the agricultural tyre market by setting up a new website embedded in the Farmers’ Weekly magazine website. In its first full month the link was seen over 180,000 times, according to the company. Barry Coleman, Firestone’s UK agricultural product manager stated: “I’m delighted with the interest the new website has generated. It’s very interesting to see what farmers are actually looking for. The most visited area of the site is Tips and Downloads, where farmers can find advice about things like hydro inflation, tyre pressures and wheel alignment.” The site can be viewed at the following address: http://fwi.firstlightera.com/EN/Microsites/1/Firestone/

18th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Restructuring Program Could Save 150 million euros Annually

Michelin’s domestic labour reorganisation program, (announced on 17 June) will save the company between 100 and 150 million euros a year, according to Deutsche Bank research analyst Gaetan Toulemonde. Restructuring charges are estimated at a maximum of 200 million euros to be accounted for in the first half of 2009 of which half will be paid for in cash and the other half as assets write offs.

In an investor’s note published today, the financial analysts explained that while the company’s complex statement appears to have been designed to avoid to much clamour after Continental and Goodyear’s recent difficult plant closures, “it looks like they aren’t doing much.” The bank’s take on the situation is that “some plants will be downsized, and the restructuring program involves 1,100 people on top of a pre-retirement program of 1,300 people. Thus, when normal attrition is included, approximately 3,000 people will leave the group by the next 18 months out of a French workforce of 25,000…of which 12,000 in production.”

18th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

TIA Voices Opposition to Restrictions on Chinese Consumer Tyres

In a statement released on June 17, the Tire Industry Association has claimed the USW initiated petition currently before the US International Trade Commission (ITC) will neither benefit consumers nor help preserve manufacturing jobs in America. While the TIA refers to the proposal under consideration by the ITC as “well-intentioned”, the organisation believes it to be one that will bring severe financial harm upon many retailers and motorists by restricting the availability of affordable tyres.

18th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sapphire Energy Recovery Acquires Willow Tyres

Sapphire Energy Recovery is securing a reliable source of end of life tyres through the acquisition of a regular supplier. The company intends to purchase Surrey based Willow tyres following the announcement that founder and current owner Ray Bates plans to retire later this year.

“Willow has been a long trusted and reliable supplier of around 1.4 million tyres a year to Sapphire, and it was important to us that we could maintain that security of supply despite Ray’s retirement,” explained Clive Roberts, who is supply chain manager for Sapphire Energy Recovery.

18th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sibur to Produce New Premium Compound Rubber

Sibur LLC reports that investment in a project centred on producing new rubbers at its Voronezhsintezkauchuk facility in Southwest Russia has been finalised. The project involves transferring a part of its polybutadiene rubber production to neodymium catalysts system technology (SKD-ND) plus the commencement of soluble butadiene-styrene rubber (DSSK) production.

This modified technology, says Sibur, will enable the company to produce new types of compound with durability, wear resistance and environmental parameters that compare with the highest global standards. These compounds will be used in the production of medium and premium segment tyres.

18th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Retread Friendly US Postal Service Gains White House Award

The Obama administration has honoured the US Postal Service for environmental stewardship with a ‘2009 Closing the Circle Award’ for its national Green Purchasing Program. Part of this programme, notes the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau, is the use of retreaded tyres.

Retreaded tyres, TRIB continues, play an important part in keeping vehicle maintenance costs down for the US Postal Service. And since tyres are the third highest cost of running any fleet, right after the cost of drivers and fuel, the savings offered by the use of retreads adds up to be very significant.

18th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Invest £887 Million in India

It is cutting back in France, yet planning big in India – Michelin is reportedly planning to invest some Rs 70 billion (£887 million) there over the next decade. The Economic Times newspaper states a person directly involved in the transaction informed it that the tyre major has sought government approval to acquire a 100 per cent share in Michelin India Tamil Nadu tyres, a company formed in April 2009. This company will be responsible for establishing a greenfield production facility; the site will be set up with an Rs 40 billion (£507 million) investment in the first phase, which runs until 2016. This first phase operation is anticipated to create 1,500 jobs, and eventually half the factory’s output will be exported.

18th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Production at Clairoix Site in 2010 a Possibility, Says MAG

Dubai’s Moaffaq Al Gaddah (MAG) Group hopes, according to numerous news sources, to complete an agreement to buy Continental’s Clairoix factory in France before the end of 2009. According to Fawaz Sabri, the company’s vice president for strategy and finance, if “they (Continental) sign (the due diligence process) by the end of this month, we can start the process on July 1, and by November or December could sign a final agreement … production would be in 2010.”

18th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Reports: Michelin to Sell Apollo Stake

Indian news sources are reporting that Michelin is intending to sell the remaining 7.3 per cent shareholding it has in Apollo tyres. On June 6 2009, Michelin sold a portion of its Apollo stake for approximately 500 million rupees (£6.67 million). The French manufacturer, which held an 11 per cent share in Apollo at the time, sold 3.3 per cent through open market sales. The company has held shares in Apollo Tyres since it acquired a 14.9 per cent stake in early 2004, a deal made at a time when a truck and bus radial joint venture between the two companies seemed likely.

Despite the venture’s failure to get off the ground and the September 2005 announcement that Michelin would acquire Apollo’s share in the joint venture, Michelin maintained its stake in the Indian company. According to reports, the French tyre manufacturer has made “a reasonable profit” from the sale of its Apollo shares. The reports follows Apollo’s takeover of Dutch tyre maker Vredestein Banden for a reported 175 million euros in May.

18th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors