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EU Returns Schaeffler Monopoly Clearance Application

Schaeffler Group is to re-submit its antitrust clearance application next week after European Union officials reportedly returned it requesting more information. According to a Bloomberg report, Schaeffler’s original 17 October draft needs to “clarify other matters.” Schaeffler spokesman, Detlef Sieverdingbeck dismissed media reports suggesting Schaeffler is procrastinating. “No one’s delaying anything, the matter’s proceeding in perfectly normal fashion,” he said.

31st October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Shelton Appointed to Lead New Bridgestone NA Department

The current Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) vice president of Supply, Planning & Sourcing (SP&S), Steve W. Shelton, is to assume leadership of a newly established company department – Logistics Supply Chain Management. Shelton will begin in this role as of January 1, 2009. The new group will be a part of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO), the newly announced integrated Americas tyre business.

29th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Researcher Seeks to Perfect New Manufacturing Process

After a quarter of century at Michelin North America, one of the company’s top researchers has launched his own high-tech start up company. Drawing upon experience gained during his time with the tyre maker, former director of external research Ralph Hulseman plans to build a company around a technology that allows the moulding of microstructures and nanostructures into curved surfaces.

28th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Micheldever Promotes Carter and Burgess

Paul Carter has been appointed to the position of national and key accounts sales manager within Micheldever’s wholesale division. Carter, who Micheldever managers described as “a key element” in MTS wholesale’s growth,” joined the company when it acquired Southam tyres in 2001. Jason Burgess (who joined Micheldever as Kumho Brand manager earlier this year) will also be joining the MTS Wholesale senior management team as national field sales manager.

Paul Carter will now take on direct responsibility for all of Micheldever’s national and key accounts, a new high level role within the senior management structure of MTS wholesale division. Previously his responsibilities included management of the Field Sales Team, and satellite sales offices.

27th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Mood of N.A. Consumers Fall to New Lows

Current economic conditions have seriously shaken the confidence of North American consumers. Last week, the Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers said its index of confidence plummeted to 57.5 in October from 70.3 in September – its steepest monthly drop ever. The index’s all-time low was 51.7, which it hit in May 1980; it is now at its lowest point since June. “All of the prior double-digit declines were based on severe economic dislocations with the losses accelerated by fear and panic,” the report said.

Canadian consumer confidence also fell in October, reaching the lowest level in more than 25 years, according to the Conference Board of Canada’s consumer confidence index also released last week. The Board’s index fell to 73.9, the lowest level since the third quarter of 1982 during the height of the early 1980s downturn. “The global credit crunch and major stock market declines clearly had an effect on consumer confidence,” said Pedro Antunes, the board’s director of national and provincial forecasts. “Consumers felt that they would be worse off in six months, indicating concerns that the financial crisis would not be resolved quickly.” (Tire Review/Akron)

20th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

China Tyre Production 630 Million Units Annually by 2010 – Report

According to a recently released report, tyre output in China enjoyed a growth rate of 20 per cent per annum between the years 2002 and 2007, with annual growth in radial output an even higher 33 per cent. It is expected, states the report, that tyre output will reach 630 million units per annum by 2010, with radial production accounting for 530 million units.

16th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Sunrise, FL Police Tyre Theft Accused Resigns

It seems cunning tyre thefts are not limited to Derby – or even the UK (see ‘Derby Motorist Stung by Rubber Ripper’ on tyrepress.com). Following information no doubt received through a snitch, Mark Lewis – a police officer in the town of Sunrise, Florida – was accosted by an internal affairs unit, which accused him of stealing the tyres fitted on his own 2003 Ford Crown Victoria from a city-owned police vehicle.

Local reports state that Lewis at first denied the charge when questioned about the brand new rubber adorning his personal vehicle, saying that the treads were original equipment. He also denied that he had purloined the police headlight the unit found in his boot, claiming his ex-girlfriend had probably put it there. However, the jig was up when internal affairs told Lewis that the tyres were traceable. Their report said that when informed of this fact, Lewis “put his head down and after approximately one minute looked up and said, ‘Now what?’” Shortly afterwards, he admitted the charge. Had he failed to resign, the charge would have been pursued as a criminal case.

14th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Companies are Prime Takeover Territory

A new report is suggesting that the effects of the wider financial meltdown are going to result in a series of takeovers and sell offs that will “sweep the market.” According to the Plimsoll Publishing report, a combination of needs is forcing smaller companies to consider selling to their larger rivals and larger players are looking to buy their smaller rivals to diversify and develop their businesses.

“It has a great deal to do with necessity. Many of the larger players in the market, despite the downturn, are desperate to find new ways to develop their business, but with the current climate, costs are being cut and business development is being slashed. So they need options to help them protect their futures and tap into exiting revenue and profit streams. Financing a series of small acquisitions at key niche players in the market will give them: a quick route to increasing sales for relevantly low cost; and a foothold in the emerging sectors of the market,” senior analysts David Patterson commented.

14th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

European Truck Market to Fall 20.7% in 2009

Europe’s heavy truck market is predicted to slow 20.7 per cent to 255,800 units in 2009 according to some forecasts. According to Automotive World’s research 2009 will prove to be “the worst for truck sales in recent history.” No return to the almost 350,000-unit market witnessed in 2007 is seen on the forecast horizon that extends to 2013. The report also warns that the positive impact on sales derived from a boom in Eastern Europe is now on the wane and that the 2004 EU accession countries “now appear to have entered a replacement rather than a growth cycle.”

14th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Corvette Wins MPG Marathon

Would you believe it? The Corvette T&A mentioned in last week’s report on the MPG marathon was crowned the overall winner in the annual Fleetworld/ALD Automotive event. The American muscle car recorded a record 61.26 per cent improvement over the official combined figure in the two-day, 411-mile economy driving event. Driven by Press Association journalist Richard Hammond, the Corvette Z06 achieved a combined mpg figure of 30.96mpg over the challenging route, proving that even a 198mph supercar can achieve fuel economy similar to a family hatchback if driven with a sensible approach to road and traffic conditions.

13th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Calamitous Croc Trapped in Tyre Hell

A hapless crocodile in the Northern Territory, Australia has trapped its head in a discarded tyre, making it impossible for the animal to hunt its prey. News sources report that Tom Nichols, NT Parks and Wildlife ranger, is attempting to harpoon the wretched reptile in order to remove the unwanted spare tyre: “I’ll try to harpoon it during the day. If that doesn’t work, I’ll go after it at night,” Nichols promised.

The star-crossed croc was spotted by houseboaters on the Mary River, 150 km east of Darwin. Businesswoman Linda Jolly and South Australian companions Graeme Wright – who photographed the blighted beast – and Larry Gilbert spotted the afflicted animal as it moved up-river. Wright commented that, “It didn’t seem to have any problem swimming.” It is thought that the sorrowful salty can still submerge – a fact that Nichols will have to contend with when he attempts to pick off his prey. The ranger promises to help the anguished animal after shooting it: “If the crocodile is in good condition, we'll let it go. Otherwise I'll bring it back to Darwin with me.”

8th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Hercules Tire Appoints Gawthrop to Global Supply Chain Role

Dave Gawthrop has been appointed to the position of senior vice president of Global Supply Chain at Hercules Tire & Rubber. In this role Gawthrop will be responsible for the company’s worldwide supply chain operations, including sourcing all Hercules brands, associate brands and other brands from domestic and international suppliers, as well as oversight of all company purchasing and logistics on a functional basis.

1st October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

TIF Challenges Decision to Drop Used Tyre Statutory Reporting

In response to Defra’s second consultation document on waste controls, the Tyre Industry Federation (TIF) is urging the government to reconsider its decision to drop its proposal for statutory reporting for used tyre disposal. The government floated the idea of introducing statutory reporting for used tyre recovery in 2005, before elaborating in more detail in its first consultation document on waste controls last year. In its second document the government reported that only 10 out of the 35 responses referring to this proposal supported it.

TIF points out that is was amongst those in favour. The government went on to say that enhanced reporting requirements would represent an additional cost to businesses and it considered that the limited effect that the requirements would have on levels of fly-tipped tyres would not outweigh the additional burden to businesses. In commenting on its stance John Dorken, Secretary of the Federation, said: “It is ridiculous for the government to have rejected the proposal on the grounds that the burden to the industry outweighed the benefits when the TIF, as the voice of the whole industry, has strongly supported it.”

1st October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Settle for Reduced Margins or Scale Down

UK tyre market analysts, Plimsoll Publishing are characterising the difficult market conditions of 2008 as a recipe for failure, with companies facing a stark choice: hold on to sales at reduced margins, or reduce in size and scale. To put this into context, 67 of the 201 firms analysed in the company’s latest report are losing money, a direct consequence of rising costs and price reductions set against a slowing market. The net effect? Increased merger and acquisition activity.

Senior analyst David Patterson points to the amount of tyre manufacturers and distribution firms using an overdraft as a permanent means of finance as a dangerous position for any companies to place themselves in. The banks are taking a critical look at all unsecured finance and are reassessing their exposure to small businesses- this could leave these firms in a position where their overdraft would need paying back on demand. Acording to Patterson, many of these firms simply cannot afford to do this.

1st October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Possible Site for New Ceat Plant Named

According to an unnamed government official, India’s Ceat Ltd is considering the northeastern state of Gujarat as the location for its new LCV and truck radial facility. The Thaindian news reports the source as saying the company will invest RS 5 billion (£57.76 million) in building the facility, however Ceat has not confirmed any such detail.

29th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors