Tyre industry professionals need to know what the latest product developments are. Look no further than the Tyrepress.com product news tag,
Nottinghamshire-based tyre equipment and consumables supplier Auto4 has published its new catalogue. The distributor says that it aims to offer more than competitive pricing and consistent stock, with a flexible distribution model and the provision of management information also important parts of its core business.
It’s not all bad news out there – Yokohama Rubber has announced that its losses in the fiscal year to March 31, 2009, will be smaller than the projections announced on March 24, 2009. Management now projects consolidated operating income of 13.0 billion yen (£92 million), down 60.7 per cent from the previous fiscal year; and a consolidated net loss of 5.5 billion yen (£38.9), down from a consolidated net profit of 21.1 billion yen in the previous fiscal year; on consolidated net sales of 517.0 billion (£3.7 billion), down 6.2 per cent from the previous year. The revised projection for operating income 13.0 per cent higher, the revised projection for net loss 31.3 per cent less, and the revised projection for net sales 0.6 per cent lower than the projections announced on March 24.
Continental is employing a new CT scanner to further improve the testing of prototype tyres. This new piece of equipment is being set up at the company’s research and development centre in Hanover, Germany. According to Conti, the CT scanner greatly reduces the time needed to screen a tyre and enhances the quality of images taken during the process. Individual components of a tyre’s construction can be displayed separately enabling, for example, tests for wear in individual parts of the casing to be undertaken. Around 3,000 tyres are to undergo the testing process annually.
The US Atlas and Delta single use rockets have carried nearly 1,300 combined payloads to space, with cargoes ranging from weather, telecommunications and national security satellites, to material for deep space and interplanetary exploration missions. Now Continental Tire North America is making a small contribution to this further exploration and utilisation of outer space through the provision of its tyres for a ground transporter vehicle that will be used to support Atlas V rocket launch processing at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
When it comes to high and ultra high performance tyres, few would argue that Italian manufacturer Pirelli holds a position of distinction. The brand boasts original equipment contracts with many of the leading names in top end models from such manufacturers as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, Aston Martin, Maserati, Jaguar, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo, Porsche and BMW, with its latest contract coming on the new Bentley Continental GTC Speed, the car maker’s most powerful convertible ever. Its P Zero collection of tyres – and indeed the marketing campaigns behind the range – emphasise the glamorous, lifestyle-conscious leanings of the market, backing these up with a series of high-ranking results in the 2009 round of magazine summer tests (the P Zero pattern alone picked up wins in Gute Fahrt and Sport Auto, alongside a “very recommendable” rating in Auto Bild Sportscars).
When the news that the European authorities were about to agree a new set of regulations for tyre noise, rolling resistance, wet-braking and labelling a month ago, Tyres & Accessories noted that early versions of the draft laws had (in 2008) provoked criticism from within the tyre manufacturing industry. A year later when details of the legislation’s first reading were published it became clear that the revised text had been substantial modified to better reflect the practical implications of implementing such far reaching legislation. With this in mind T&A interviewed European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturer’s Association (ETRMA) secretary general Fazilet Cinaralp, and chairman Dr Francesco Gori – whose membership includes all the leading European tyre manufacturers and those with production facilities within the continent.
Tyres & Accessories (T&A): A year ago ETRMA and some of the individual premium tyre manufacturers described the EC guidelines as unfeasible. What has changed since then?
For the past five years SRF S.A. in the eastern French town of Soultzmatt has belonged to wheel manufacturer the Borbet Group. With a capacity of only around 500,000 alloy wheels per year the factory was indisputably the smallest Borbet operated, and the facility has now applied for insolvency.
Company chief Peter Wilhelm Borbet has expressed his regret regarding the 154 employees affected by this action, however he noted the facility’s operation has been subsidised by Borbet ever since it came under the German firm’s ownership. Borbet added that, in view of the crisis affecting the automotive industry – which suppliers such as Borbet also cannot escape – the company was faced with no other alternative. Whether production will continue at the site is now an issue for the liquidator to decide, yet it seems likely that existing orders can be processed.
Brityrex 2010 has been endorsed by leading industry names as the UK’s only dedicated tyre, workshop equipment and accessories exhibition as the trade show’s organisers gear up to return to Manchester on 5, 6 and 7 October 2010.
Kings Road Tyres, Beissbarth, Apaseal, Hofmann Megaplan and Techking Tires are just some of the companies who have already committed themselves to the show, following news of its postponement for 2009. “It’s very encouraging that the vast majority of businesses who were due to exhibit this year have already said ‘yes’ to 2010,” said Paul Farrant, managing director of exhibition organiser ECI International.
TRW has extended its vehicle spare parts line-up with the introduction of a shock absorber range. This addition to its “TRW PrOEquip” line-up, on the market in Europe since March 2009, offers coverage for 94 per cent of the European truck market. Manufacturers covered by the TRW PrOEquip range include BPW, DAF, Evobus, Fruehauf, Hendrickson, Iveco, Kässbohrer, MAN, Mercedes, Neoplan, ROR, RVI, SAF, Scania, Schmitz Cargobull, Van Hool and Volvo.
Brakes, steering and suspension products are already included in the TRW PrOEquip range and therefore the addition of shock absorbers is a logical development. The products are manufactured in the company’s European aftermarket factories.
Porsche owners who have gazed at their pride and joy and thought ‘gee, I wish it had an extra pair of doors’ have had their unspoken prayers answered – the release of Porsche’s new Panamera four-door (or five if you count the hatch – Porsche doesn’t) saloon represents the German manufacturer’s entry into a market segment where it will compete head to head with the likes of Jaguar’s new XFR and the Aston Martin Rapide. And Michelin proudly reports its selection as OE tyre supplier for the new sports saloon.
It has been revealed that the Ruia Group has pledged 51 per cent of its 74.5 per cent shareholding in Dunlop India with a private bank in order to raise Rs 6 billion (US$125 million) to refinance a hedge fund debt. Although this deal was arranged with the Singapore branch of ICICI bank in October 2008, details of the transaction were only made public in April 2009.
Indian retreading equipment manufacturer Rajmahaal Tire Equipments sees itself in a position to expand its export programme into Western Europe. According to company managing director M.V.D Rajendran, Rajmahaal already sells autoclaves, buffing machines, spreaders and other products in Eastern Europe. Now, armed with a newly developed low-energy autoclave that can accommodate up to 24 tyres, it has its sights set on conquering all of Europe.
Brawn’s Jenson Button was once again successful in the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, having pursued a super soft – super soft – medium tyre strategy. The heat on the circuit had made Brawn’s continued dominance seem unlikely, as the team was forced to modify the car’s underside for necessary engine cooling. However, Button’s ability to use the consistently faster super soft tyres, thanks in part to the Brawn car’s comparative gentle treatment of its rubber, allowed the Briton to claim maximum points again, finishing 7.1 seconds ahead of Sebastian Vettel, who used the same tyre strategy in his Red Bull. The Toyotas meanwhile, fresh from their first ever all-front row qualification, faded in the heat, as pole-sitter Jarno Trulli used a super soft – medium – super soft strategy to finish third.
On Friday 24 April Amtel-Vredestein OJSC’s shareholders recommended that managers enter the Russian part of the wider Amtel-Vredestein company into bankruptcy proceedings. At this stage the proposal remains a suggestion and it is expected to be weeks before the company makes a final decision on whether or not to enter bankruptcy protection. Tyres & Accessories contacted various Amtel-Vredestein OJSC company representatives, but none were willing to comment on the likelihood of Amtel-Vredestein OJSC declaring bankruptcy or what the effects would be on the company.
Were Amtel-Vredestein OJSC to enter bankruptcy, article 106 (2) of the Russian Federation Federal Law on Insolvency sets out a clear order of priority for creditors’ claims: According to Craig Averch, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development claims of citizens to whom the debtor is liable for harm to life or health shall be satisfied first; followed by settlements for the payment of “severance pay and wages with persons working under a labour agreement, including under contract, and for the payment of royalties under copyright agreements.” Third, creditors’ claims for obligations secured against property are to be taken satisfied, following by claims for “mandatory payments to the budget and for extra-budgetary funds.” The process concludes with settlements being made to all other creditors.
Tire Group International (TGI) has hired a Country Manager for the sales office it opened in the Dominican Republic in March 2008. Joining TGI’s team is Ricardo Villanueva, who brings over 15 years’ experience in all segments of the tyre industry. His most recent position was VP of Sales for Serit Tires where he was an integral part of Serit’s growth in the Dominican Republic and South American markets. “Having in-country representation and under the leadership of Ricardo has already delivered significant benefits. These benefits fall inline with our plan of enhancing our channel distribution by bring in the best-in-class personnel to execute our strategies,” said Orlando Delgado, Tire Group International’s Senior Vice President of Business Development.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
