Cooper To Slow Production Due To Hurricaine
Cooper Tire will have to slow production by approximately 30,000 tyres per day due to raw material supply disruptions associated with Hurricane Rita, analysts have reported.
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Bibendum Moves Into Table Tennis
Product NewsMichelin has partnered with Cornilleau, the world’s leading manufacturer of table tennis bats, to produce what the companies say is the world’s first range of composite table tennis bats. The move reflects Michelin’s further involvement in the production of leisure products. Interestingly the co-produced bats will feature the French tyre manufacturer’s Bibendum logo.
Cornilleau is reported to have approached Michelin because of its technical expertise in terms of mastering rubber compounds and composite materials. According to a joint-statement released by Michelin and Cornilleau, the two companies worked together for more than 18 months, focussing on the development of a new surface material. The partners claim that the “unique elastomer” surface they have devised offers: “optimum performance in terms of elasticity which gives the player additional speed, power and control.
Columbian Chemicals Co Proceeds With Bahia, Brazil Plant
Product NewsColumbian Chemicals Co received approval from the Phelps Dodge Corp Board of directors to proceed with plans to build a greenfield carbon black manufacturing facility in the Camacari Pole, a chemical complex in the Bahia state of Brazil. Construction of the facility is anticipated to begin in early 2006 with production commencing the first quarter of 2007.
Chinese Market Favours Malaysian NR
Product NewsThe Chinese market seems to favour Malaysia’s natural rubber (NR) and is attracting increased interest from players in the Malaysian rubber products industry, according to the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB). The MRB recently organised a trade delegation visit to China and revealed details about business between the two far eastern countries.
The MRB explained that Malaysian rubber was well-known in China for its good quality. China imports about 1.4 million tonnes of NR per year, and this year, Malaysia’s NR exports to China are projected to increase to 350,000 tonnes from 290,000 last year.
Indonesian Car Tyre Production Up
NewsIndonesia’s production of car tyres rose 16.3 per cent year-on-year to 23.8 million units in the first seven months of this year. Data at the Association of Tire Companies (APBI) said the country exported most of its tyre production every year.
In the January-July period exports totalled 16.3 million units valued at $317.3 million, against sales on the domestic market of 77 million units. Total sales in the seven-month period represented a 18.4 per cent increase compared with sales a year ago.
India’s Car Sales Slow
Product News(India/Rubber Asia) Passenger car sales in India during the first six months of 2005 slowed down compared to the same period last year, according to Anang D. Jena, research director, Synovate Motoresearch. Total production of passenger cars in the January-June 2005 period was about 505,951 units, up by 12.5 per cent over the corresponding period last year. However, total sales during the period stood at 530,811 units, up only by 7.6 per cent over the same period last year.
Both Amcast and Speedline Optimistic About Recovery
Product NewsAmcast Corp, the former owner of Italian wheel manufacturer Speedline, is looking forward to achieving economic recovery soon. At the same time Speedlines new owners proved they too are looking forward to a bright future by investing 25 million euros in the modernisation and automisation of Speedline’s production facilities, with a similar amount scheduled for this year.
Amcast sold the European wheel business to Aluminium parts manufacturer Mazzucconi-Gruppe pm 17 March 2003, after it entered Chapter 11 status and had to sell-off some of its assets. Amcast continues to run two wheel factories in the US.
ArvinMeritor to Close Shock Absorber Plant
Product NewsArvinMeritor, Inc is to close its Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) shock absorber assembly operation in Pulaski, Tenn., US The company will transfer a portion of the production to its Detroit, Michigan, US, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada facilities, with remaining business being phased out by July 2006. The company met with employees today to discuss the transfer and closure plans, which will affect all 268 employees.
“As announced in our second-quarter earnings release, ArvinMeritor identified the need to rationalize 11 sites, to further focus its businesses on serving customer needs and improve its return on invested capital,” said Sidney Del Gaudio, vice president and general manager of LVS Undercarriage Systems. “Pulaski was one of the 11 sites chosen because its overall costs exceeded the short- and long-term returns required to sustain the business and remain competitive.”
Lay-offs Set at Amtel Plant in Russia
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) All, apparently, is not that rosy with Amtel Holding, which recently unveiled its plans to integrate the Vredestein brand in Russia. A significant slowdown in sales in Russia has forced the company to begin laying off workers at its Krasnoyarsky, Russia, factory, and reducing output at the passenger and light truck tire plant by half.
Goodyear Completes Wingtack Sale
Product NewsGoodyear Tire & Rubber Co has completed the sale of its Wingtack adhesives resins business to Sartomer Company Inc., a unit of the French energy firm Total SA.
CTNA Presents Enhanced Proposal to Laid-Off Mayfield Workers
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Continental Tire North America (CTNA) negotiators presented union representatives from CTNA’s Mayfield, Kentucky, plant with an enhanced severance package for employees that were laid off due to the suspension of tyre production in that plant late last year.
Commission Approves Kwik-Fit Acquisition
Product NewsThe European Commission has officially approved P.A.I Partner’s acquisition of Kwik-Fit, under the EU Merger Regulation.
The new owner of the fast-fit chain manages and advises dedicated private equity funds focused in different industry sectors, from food and food additives, water and waste management services to the production and sale of hydraulic clutch and brake systems and components.
Pirelli Rubber Destroyed by Fire
Product NewsAround £750,000 worth of rubber, destined for Pirelli’s tyre factory in Carlisle, has been destroyed in a fire. The blaze, which began yesterday and is expected to continue all day, occurred in a 100 metre square building at the former RAF 14 MU site between Rockcliffe and Cargo.
Firefighters are now using a pioneering foam to try to stop the day-old blaze that ruined 550 tonnes of rubber – enough to make 50,000 tyres.
Pirelli claims that production should be relatively unaffected, as a delivery lorry had picked up some stock from the warehouse on the day before the fire.
100,000 Tyres and Counting
Premium, Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin has celebrated the production of its 100,000th Michelin PAX System assembly at Michelin’s PAX 1 facility. PAX tyres are featured on the 2005 and 2006 Honda Odyssey Touring Edition minivans. The manufacturer says additional OE fitments will be announced shortly.
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Cooper Names Brennan to Head Supply Chain Operations
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire, & Rubber Co. has promoted Fran Brennan to vice president of supply chain operations. The 21-year Cooper veteran most recently served as the technical vice president, a position he held for the past five years. During his Cooper career, Brennan also has served in industrial engineering, manufacturing planning and production planning.
