News from the world’s largest tyre industry show, Reifen 2012, at Messe Essen, Germany
Treadsetters approached Reifen 2012 with the specific objective of introducing the passenger car range of its established Torque brand in Europe. UK based Treadsetters (part of the TIA Group) said that it had been overwhelmed by the positive response from visitors to the stand, on which the company displayed both its latest PCR and TBR ranges.
Singapore’s Stamford Tyres announced the entry onto the winter tyre market of its Firenza brand, introducing the company's initial sizes of its Nu Ice Firenza winter tyre range. Stamford Sport Wheels (SSW), a subsidiary partner of the Stamford Tyres Group, used its portion of the Stamford stand to display a new alloy wheel collection. SSW launched its latest range of Soleil alloy wheels in Europe for cars, 4×4/SUV's and light trucks.
SD International used the platform of Reifen 2012 to launch its new winter patterns in both its Pace and Zeta brands, along with the European introduction of the company's PCR range in the Briland brand. The company also communicated with customers about tyre labelling.
Visitors to Hall One at Reifen 2012 will have noticed periodic loud bangs emanating from the Gaither Europe stand, where the Netherlands based company was demonstrating its innovative Bead Bazooka product, a hand-held rapid air release tool for seating tubeless tyre beads. The company said it was rolling out a nine litre “XL” version of the product at Reifen and forthcoming European shows, having displayed the six litre model at SEMA. TÜV approved, the tool was also nominated for an innovation award.
Taking place in the beautiful surroundings of Düsseldorf’s Schloss Eller, BKT celebrated its Silver Anniversary in style on the evening of 5 June. The Indian OTR tyre manufacturer, distributed in the UK by Kirkby Tyres and RH Claydon, numbers Europe “one of its strongest markets”; the company’s representatives say that nearly 50 per cent of its sales go into the continent. The company was publicising its new production plant in Bhuj, Gujarat in Western India, having invested $365 million in the new plant, partially self-financed. The company exemplified its green credentials introducing the plant by showing that part of its investment is devoted to a large green area and clean energy and water treatment plants are anticipated as additions to the current production plant and research and development centre.
The GT Radial Performance Centre (GTPC) programme for independent garages is to receive a series of enhancements as the brand’s manufacturer GiTi Tire and its UK distributor Micheldever Tyre Services commence a significant three-year growth plan. Micheldever chief executive, Paul Fox claims the enhanced GTPC programme is “the most exciting brand proposition in the UK tyre business today” at its launch at GiTi Tire’s European Technical Centre, MIRA.
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German firm Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH of Neubeuern has been engaged in the supply of high-precision optical measuring and sensor technology for quarter of a century and the tyre industry, along with the automotive and aviation industries, is a main beneficiary of its solutions. The company reports a successful week at June’s Reifen 2012 trade show and says this year’s show delivered even better results than previous events. The show also offered Steinbichler an excellent opportunity to present its new ‘Steinbichler Intact’ tyre testing systems to existing and prospective customers.
On 28 June brand valuation consultancy World Brand Lab announced its ninth annual list of China's 500 most valuable brands. Amongst the good and the great appearing on the list were Shandong Linglong Tyre and Aeolus Tyre, producers of the Linglong and Aeolus brands. It position in 128th place secured Shandong Linglong the highest ranking of any Chinese tyre maker. The company reports its brand equity as being RMB 11.652 billion (£1.18 billion). Aeolus Tyre climbed nine places from last year to 206th place, and boasts brand equity of RMB 6.416 billion (£648.41 million).
Zafco exhibited its Zeetex brand at Reifen 2012, unveiling the latest ZT1000 pattern. The company said that the focus of the tyre was to deliver eco-friendly attributes. The launch itself was embellished by the acrobatics of the entertainment group, LaMetta. Describing the objective behind the exhibit, Rashmi Bhola, senior vice president of Sales at Zafco for Europe, said that the stand provided an opportunity for customers to see ZT1000 and learn more about the very positive results of a recent test at IDIADA.
Linglong Tyres, manufactured by Shandong Linglong Tyre, China’s third largest tyre producer, recently supported the automotive industry charity BEN at the Lynwood Summer Fete held at the end of June.
At Reifen 2012, the Alliance Tire Group presented a new off-road tyre it says represents an innovative approach to dual-tyre configuration for excavators. Called the 528 Dual Master, the new product solves the problem of stones becoming embedded between double tyres. It does this through the use of a unique sidewall construction that enables close contact between the two tyres. “There is normally a rubber spacer between the tyres, but stones nevertheless get between the tyres and cause punctures,” explained ATG marketing communications manager Tal Rappoport to Tyres & Accessories. “The 528 Dual Master is the first tyre model for excavators that doesn’t require this spacer, and stones therefore can’t get penetrate this space.
Immediately preceding the Reifen 2012 show at which its GT Radial brand had an impressive Hall Three stand, GiTi Tire held its Dealer Conference at which future growth plans were discussed for the GiTi Group’s full portfolio of products. Managing director Europe, Richard Lyons said that its European operation will continue to grow profitability in 2012 and 2013 by gaining volume share in mature markets and achieving breakthroughs in emerging countries. Speaking at the GiTi Dealer Conference at Reifen 2012, Lyons stated that these goals would be achieved in unprecedented economic times by the continued introduction of high quality products with premium performance, a first-class level of service and an improved value-proposition.
Pirelli unveiled its new Cinturato P7 Blue passenger car tyre on the first day of Reifen 2012 – an event that is significant as it is the first product to reach European markets with A ratings for both wet grip and rolling resistance. The tyre achieved the AA rating in size 235/45 R17, and is an evolution of the company’s Cinturato P7 product. Pirelli also demonstrated its Cyber Fleet truck sensors, currently trialling on a fleet of 13 HGVs, in real time. Responding to Tyres & Accessories’ questions, Pirelli representatives said that the P7 Blue achieves the improved characteristics over the base P7 model through use of a new compound and several subtle changes to the tread pattern, including “optimisation of the shoulder”. The base compound of the tyre, underneath the tread, was also credited for helping the P7 Blue attain it’s A ratings.
The inventor of the winter tyre, Finland’s Nokian Tyres had a stand in Hall Three that was striking for its minimalist, expressionistic Nordic feel… and because it had only one tyre model displayed on its stand. The tyre it did show was, as it would have to be, special: the Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tyre (255/35R20 97 T XL) was fitted to Nokian’s world record-setting modified Audi RS-6, driven by the company’s test driver Janne Laitinen, which travelled at 331,610km/h on the Gulf of Bothnia in Oulu, Finland. The tyre also made history in 2012 on the E-RA electric car built by students at the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences that Laitinen also drove at record ice speeds – 252.09 km/h. Despite these feats, the tyre is the regular production model, sold mainly across the Nordic region and Russia, where the brand is number one in terms of “recognition and appreciation”.
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