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Bridgestone Fundraisers Cycle for Transaid in Zambia

Acting on the company’s nomination of Transaid for Bridgestone’s charity of 2009, two avid cyclists from the tyre manufacturer’s Midlands base are gearing up to cycle 420 kilometres across Zambia. Graham Hooper and Gary Grove are undertaking the Transaid Cycle Zambia Challenge, which will see them tackling all terrains – including off-roading through traditional Zambian villages – to help raise awareness and vital funds for the charity’s projects across the country.

The pair are hoping to raise £4,000 through donations from colleagues at Bridgestone, as well as family and friends, which will support Transaid’s work in Zambia, improving infrastructure and building local knowledge on the importance of road safety. In addition to the cycling challenge a number of other fundraising activities are to be organised by the firm throughout the year.

8th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Higher and Higher

In last May’s feature on high and ultra high performance tyres, Tyres & Accessories noted the persistence of the rise in popularity for the market segment. In 2008, the trend continued apace, with some figures suggesting that the UK market share for UHP tyres was closing in on a fifth, rising from 16.9 per cent in 2007 to 19.5 per cent last year. It is fair to say that things are likely to be a little different following the financial crises experienced from the middle of 2008, though even if much of the market will be downgrading to lower performance vehicles with smaller rim sizes – as seems to be the general consensus – it is likely to be a couple of years before the market feels the changes. And while even perennially popular cars such as the Ford Focus and the Volkswagen Golf tend towards higher performance tyres, with rims not uncommonly topping 16”, perhaps there is a decent chance that the market will remain relatively stable.

8th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

US State Extends Tyre Scrapping Fee

The US state of Missouri’s House of Representatives has approved the extension of a scrap tyre fee for a further decade. The tyre disposal legislation originally introduced in 1990 gives authority for a fifty-cent fee to be collected from retailers of new tyres, and was set to expire on January 1, 2010. The House of Representatives passed the extension bill by 149 votes to 5 on May 5.

7th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Paper: Apollo Tyres to Pay $300 million for Vredestein

Indian newspaper, the Hindustan Times, has reported that Apollo Tyres is to pay $300 million for Vredestein Banden.

7th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

National Motor Museum to Host ‘World of Top Gear’ Exhibit

BBC Worldwide and the National Motor Museum have announced plans for a major new exhibition at Beaulieu. The new ‘World of Top Gear’ exhibition will reportedly be centred around the internationally famous Top Gear television programme. This unique agreement between the National Motor Museum and BBC Worldwide will enable visitors to experience first-hand the unrivalled atmosphere, drama and humour of the World’s Greatest Car TV Show.

The exhibition aims to recreate the feel of the famous Top Gear Hanger and will showcase some of its iconic features, in a special display area at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, set in the heart of the New Forest.

7th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

VTS Witnessing a Renaissance in British Made Tyre Sales

In these uncertain times when every news bulletin reminds us of the financial difficulty the country is in, it is rare to hear a positive story about British manufacturing.

7th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Clairoix Workers Occupy Conti Facility in Sarreguemines

The discovery that 200 burly policemen were waiting for them on the German side of the border led to a spontaneous change of plans for up to 500 workers from Continental’s Clairoix, France factory. Instead of heading in the direction of a company facility in Aachen, the workers have opted to avoid the Polizei and remain on French soil. Thus they have turned their attention to the Conti plant in Sarreguemines.

7th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Nokian Sales “Down in Line With Market,” says Gran

Actual interim results for the January to March 2009 quarter show Nokian Tyres’ operating income to be even lower than the figure anticipated by a Reuters analyst poll. The company’s interim report, released May 7, reveals an EBIT of minus 2.7 million euros for the quarter, down from 54.4 million a year earlier. The mean estimated EBIT calculated from a Reuters survey of eleven analysts was four million euros. Net sales during the quarter stood at 155.6 million euros, 36.8 per cent lower year-on-year. A net loss of 10.4 million euros was recorded in the quarter, contrasting with a net profit of 45.1 million euros in the first quarter of 2008. The analysts surveyed by Reuters anticipated a net loss of seven million euros.

”Nokian Tyres’ first quarter net sales went down to the level of the corresponding period in 2006,” noted company president and CEO Kim Gran. “Nokian Tyres did not make profit in the first quarter due to low sales, operative streamlining measures, currency devaluation on our main markets, and the seasonal weakening in our sales mix. We took strong actions to adjust our preseason sales and production to the changed market conditions.

7th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Restaurants Now Included in Michelin Guide for iPhone

Admit it – you just can’t get by without your mobile phone. When it’s not glued to your ear you are busy prodding the thing with your texting thumb or downloading the latest must-read e-mails. And now, thanks to Michelin, the mobile can also offer sterling service should you wish to whet your appetite. Following the successful introduction of its ‘Michelin guide Restaurants’ iPhone applications for France and selected other European locations, the company has extended its offering to the UK and three other European countries plus two US cities.

Developed by ViaMichelin, the applications list all restaurants selected by the Michelin guide, including starred restaurants and Bib Gourmand eateries offering excellent value for money. The European titles, which cover the UK, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain, are available in five languages (French, English, German, Spanish and Italian) while the stateside titles, covering New York and San Francisco, are available only in English.

6th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

First Quarter Delivered ‘Unprecedented’ Low Demand, Says Rhodia

In reporting Rhodia’s first quarter 2009 results, company chairman and CEO Jean-Pierre Clamadieu has reflected upon a difficult three-month period. “As anticipated, we faced in the first quarter unprecedented low levels of demand,” said Clamadieu. “This, combined with the absorption of costly raw material inventories, resulted in a major adverse impact on profitability.”

6th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Australian Science Agency Partnering in Tyre Recycling Project

Australia’s government-run national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), reports it is working with Australian tyre recycling technologies company VR TEK Operations on the design and development of a new and improved method of recycling waste rubber for further use in the production of new tyres and a number of other products. The end goal of the project is to produce a devulcansied and activated high quality rubber powder suitable to be used in the manufacture of new rubber products.

6th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Birla Tyres Increases Permanent Staff Numbers, Resumes Production

Indian news sources report production at Birla Tyres’ stoppage-riddled facility in Orissa State has returned to normal, an event accompanied by a rise in the number of permanent employees at the plant. Management is said to have decided upon the resumption of “full production” and the induction of 280 of the factory’s casual workers as permanent employees, boosting permanent payroll numbers to 2,110. The plant’s 450 contractual workers have been upgraded to casual status.

6th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Analysts Expect Nokian Q1 EBIT to Plummet

A Reuters poll of eleven analysts anticipates a 93 per cent drop in first quarter operating earnings for Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian Renkaat. This massive decline is predicted due to much weaker demand. Pre tax and interest earnings for the January to March period are expected on average to fall to four million euros, contrasting strongly with the 54 million euros recorded in the same quarter last year. The mean prediction for net sales was a 32 per cent drop to 167 million euros, while a net loss of seven million euros is anticipated.

For the full year, the eleven analysts expect net sales of 886 million euros, an EBIT of 140 million and a net profit of 82 million euros. The company will release its results on May 7.

6th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Briton Achieves First 125cc MotoGP Win on Dunlop Tyres

In his 50th Grand Prix, Bradley Smith shot to his first ever victory by a 13-second margin at the Gran Premio bwin.com de España on the 3rd May. This is the first time Britain has provided a winner in the category since Chas Mortimer won in Spain in 1973.

36 years down the line, Smith brought a win home for the UK, racing on his Birmingham-manufactured Dunlop tyres. Smith got away brilliantly, taking the holeshot and immediately building up a good lead at the front. By the midway point in the race the 18 year-old from Oxford had gained an 18 second advantage, riding a lonely race and eventually crossing the line 13 seconds ahead of the chasing pack for his maiden GP triumph.

Dunlop, which designs, develops and produces all of its racing tyres at its Fort Dunlop plant, was pleased with the victory: “It was great to see a British rider on British tyres win this race, especially as it is the first time a UK rider has seen a win in 36 years. Congratulations to Bradley Smith for winning with such finesse and passing the chequered flag 13 seconds ahead of the competition. When the Brit’s do it, they do it well!” said Pat Walsh, sales manager Motorcycle Race for Dunlop.

6th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Resolution Found in Michelin Thailand Dispute

The International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM) reports that the two-month dispute between Michelin in Thailand and rubber workers backed by ICEM affiliate Petroleum and Chemical Workers’ Federation (PCFT) has come to an end. The disagreement, which involved the company’s factory in Laem Chabang, Chonburi Province, was resolved by tripartite dialogue and, says the ICEM, its “strong intervention”, along with that of French union FCE-CFDT and Michelin’s European Works Council.

5th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors