With the introduction of the Pirelli H:01 Proway line, Prometeon Tyre Group says it is offering tyres that provide “maximum efficiency in long-distance transportation” thanks to reduced rolling resistance and improved durability. Two tyres are available in this latest evolution of the :01 Series – the steer axle Pirelli FH:01 Proway and the drive axle TH:01 Proway.
Prometeon Tyre Group UK Ltd has appointed Peter Fairlie its new managing director. He will be based at the company’s head office in Burton on Trent and will be responsible for Prometeon Tyre Group’s business in the UK, Ireland and the Nordic markets.
Yves Pouliquen has joined Apollo Vredestein as head of sales and marketing of the tyre maker’s Europe division. He began in the role this month, bringing with him more than two decades of tyre industry experience.
Prometeon Tyre Group has signed an agreement for the amendment, restatement and extension of its 600 million euro senior financing, underwritten in March 2017, originally with a three-year duration. The new agreement allows the extension of the final maturity to March 2021 (with the possibility to further extend it to March 2022 at Prometeon’s discretion) at conditions in line with the current market. By signing the agreement Prometeon says it has secured the financial resources for the implementation of its 2019-2021 business plan.
Capacity at the Prometeon Tyre Group plant in İzmit, Turkey will increase by 75 per cent by 2020 in order to accommodate plans to almost double exports from the facility. This project will be funded by a US$115 million investment announced by the company on Tuesday.
Aeolus Tyre Co., Ltd. has emphasised its continued commitment to European markets. In a statement, the Chinese tyre maker describes its progress with the Aeolus brand within Europe as a “remarkable” achievement and stresses that the “unique position” it has claimed within the market will continue despite the introduction of anti-dumping duties. To facilitate this, some Aeolus tyre production will be relocated outside of China.
The new range of Pirelli agricultural tyres and the latest Pirelli truck products will be on display at the Prometeon Tyre Group stand at next week’s The Tire Cologne. These can be found at Stand C48/D49 in Hall 7.
Prometeon Tyre Group UK Ltd has selected Kirkby Tyres as a truck tyre wholesale partner, with the goal of enhancing its UK distribution capabilities.
With the addition of the Pirelli TBR range, Kirkby Tyres will be now be offering a full-tier commercial product portfolio from value tyres, right through to premium.
Prometeon Tyre Group UK Ltd has named GB Tyres UK Ltd as Formula brand partner for the UK & Ireland. According to the companies, the Formula truck and bus tyre range “benefits directly from Prometeon’s technological know-how and manufacturing expertise, providing a high quality TBR range that is specifically aimed at a more value orientated market”. Characterised as “a robust and hard working on-off product”, the Formula TBR range is said to provide “performance, long-life and affordability” and is available in key sizes across the UK dominated regional segment.
Although Pirelli Tyre Co, Ltd. is named as a company whose products (together with those from Aeolus Tyre Co., Ltd., Chonche Auto Double Happiness Tyre Corp., Ltd. and Qingdao Yellow Sea Rubber Co., Ltd.) will be charged anti-dumping duties of 64.13 euros per tyre under anti-dumping Regulation (EU) 2018/683, the tyre maker states it is not affected by the new regulation as it doesn’t produce commercial vehicle tyres.
Prometeon Tyre Group has announced a new organisation structure in order to “strengthen its presence in the different markets in which it operates” and “to continue the integration process with the Aeolus group”.
The following appointees will report directly to Prometeon’s chairman and CEO, Giorgio Luca Bruno:
The integration of Prometeon Tyre Group (the former Pirelli Industrial business) and Aeolus Tyre Co. Ltd has stalled after Aeolus’ pending acquisition of a 90 per cent stake in Prometeon failed to gain overseas acquisition approval from Chinese authorities before the 31 December 2017 deadline.
Aeolus has launched its third generation of truck and bus radial tyres in a large dealer event on the shores – and water – of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. Readers of Tyres & Accessories will know that this location is highly appropriate for the Chinese company; the introduction of the new, extensive product range comes at a moment when the ChemChina produced brand is preparing for its future positioning as a second-line sister range to Pirelli in the commercial segment. While the exact relationship of Pirelli and Aeolus continues to be fluidly complex, the Italian brand’s recent separation of its commercial tyre operations under the Prometeon Tyre Group banner give a good indication of where Aeolus commercial tyres are heading.
TP Commercial Solutions LLC has announced it will have a new office headquarters in San Diego, California from 1 September. The company’s move will cater for its expansion in the US and Canada for Truck, Agricultural and Off Road tyres. TP Commercial Solutions LLC is part of Prometeon Tyre Group, the fourth largest commercial tyre group in the world, which used to be part of Pirelli.
Prometeon Tyre Group has arranged an inaugural 600 million euros of credit facilities consisting of 450 million euros of term facility and a 150 million euros of revolving facility. The new credit facilities mature on March 2020, with two one-year extension options. According to Prometeon, the credit facilities secure the firm’s “financial independence and autonomy following its separation from the Pirelli Group and optimise the company’s capital structure”.
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