Goodyear Dunlop Make New Fleet Appointment
Goodyear Dunlop have appointed Tony McHugh as national key account manager, in a move designed to strengthen the company’s fleet operations.
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Russia Government Considers Lowering Importation Taxes
Product NewsThe Russian government could lower import taxes from 10 per cent to three per cent for the importation of automobile components intended for assembly in Russia, said Mikhaïl Sorokine of the Russian ministry for economic development according to the Itar-Tass agency.
Sept preview Marangoni
Product NewsAlpharing is Marangoni Tread’s latest innovation. With the use of the new fully automated moulding technology, raw rubber is extruded directly into the core of its ringtread moulds. The concept of retread production technology has undoubtedly been revolutionised by the company. As it makes the move to push sales of the Ringtread range so that it accounts for 70 per cent of its total sales levels, Tyres & Accessories explores what’s behind the new technology and determines what the product can offer to the market.
Bridgestone Forecasts ‘Overly Pessimistic’
Product NewsAccording to Deutsche Bank, Bridgetone’s second half forecasts are overly pessimistic. The company’s projections are also said to assume low production volume and reflect an overly negative “cost-push scenario.” Instead Bridgestone’s strong first half results, which include an increase in turnover of 4 per cent and 29 per cent improvement in the companies operating income, have led analysts to project a more positive outlook and to affirm their advice to buy these shares.
Michelin Determined to cut North American Labour Costs
Product NewsIn a continuation of its recent wage dispute, Michelin has started negotiating a new wage agreement. The deal, which also discusses medical benefits, concerns four plants and 5,000 members of the company’s North American workforce.
Michelin Implement Plans in Nova Scotia
Product NewsMichelin is to invest $31 million (£17 million) in plans to upgrade and expand production at its Bridgewater and Waterville tyre plants situated in Nova Scotia, according to the Nova Scotia Economic Development Ministry, which is providing $3 million to help secure the project.
Amcast Completes the Sale of its Flow Control Business
Product NewsAmcast Industrial Corporation, has completed the sale of the majority of assets from its Flow Control operation. The sale was made to the US subsidiary of Dutch group Aalberts Industries NV.
Elkhart Plumbing, Elkhart Industrial and Amcast Industrial Ltd were all included in the sale. It is reported that the sale was made in order to comply with provisions of the company’s loan agreements. The net proceeds of the sale equated to approximately $54 million and will be used to reduce debt.
With an expected turnover of around $130 million (£71 million) and a workforce of 430 employees, Elkhart Products Corporation (EPC), is one of the three biggest players in the North American market. The company has an estimated 35 per cent share of the wholesaling market and a 10 per cent share of the retail market.
The agreement puts the Dutch company at the top of the world market for copper fittings and provides it with a strong American base. With the acquisition of the three production facilities Aalberts will also gain an extensive sales network in the US and Canada.
Buell and Pirelli Hit the Streets
Product NewsBuell, a Harley-Davidson subsidiary, has selected Pirelli as its exclusive tyre supplier for its new Lightning CityX XB9SX. The company, which specialises in the production of sport motorcycles, has called the new model an “urban street fighter.”
Rubber Production and Demand Increases
Product NewsThe global demand for natural and synthetic rubber will rise in the next few years, according to figures from the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) published in the recent issue of Rubber Asia. While demand in the European Union is expected to increase by 1.6 per cent throughout this year, demand in the Asian market will grow by 5.2 per cent. Asian companies already process half of the total world production of natural and synthetic rubber, almost 20 million tonnes. The IRSG expects world demands to develop by a further 5 per cent in 2005. At the same time production is expected to increase at the same rate, suggesting that there will not be any bottlenecks.
Bridgestone Expands in Thailand
Product NewsBridgestone has officially opened its third tyre plant in Thailand. The newly completed site, situated in the city of Chonburi, is predicted to produce 2,500 radial truck and bus tyres a day by the end of June 2005. What’s more the company estimates a further production capacity of 5,000 tyres a day by the end of 2006.
Cooper’s Numbers Look Good
Product NewsAnalysts have reported that Cooper’s 2nd quarter results were better than they expected. The good results are said to be mainly due to improved performance from the Cooper tyre division. This is good news for the company because it is due to sell its Auto Parts division, making tyre production its core business.
Carbon Black Businesses Discuss Joint Venture
Product NewsMitsubishi Chemical Corporation and Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd. are discussing the details of a possible joint venture.
Firestone Build Polish Plant
Product NewsFirestone Industrial Products (FSIP), a business unit of BFS Diversified Products, LLC (BFDP), has announced that it will build a new manufacturing facility in Wolsztyn, Poland. The company’s recently formed Polish subsidiary, Firestone Industrial Products Poland, will produce air springs to support European demand from consumer and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers.
New Management Structure at Yokohama
Product NewsThe Yokohama Rubber Company Ltd has formally announced that it will formally start using a new management structure as of tomorrow (2 July). The structure will be headed by new chairman and representative director, Yasuo Tominaga, and new president and representative director, Tadanobu Nagumo. Currently the pair are both representative directors and are president and executive director respectively.
Goodyear Expands Production At Tyler Plant
Product NewsThe Goodyear factory at Tyler, Texas, is to increase daily production by 3,000 tyres to 27,000. This follows growing demand for Goodyear’s new Assurance line of tyres and will involve the recall of around 50 workers. These were among 200 staff laid off in November last year.
