Bridgestone Malaysia to Raise Prices
Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) is to increase the price of tyres from 1st April by an as-yet-unspecified amount, because of continuing high rubber prices, said managing director Yoshiaki Hirashi.
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Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) is to increase the price of tyres from 1st April by an as-yet-unspecified amount, because of continuing high rubber prices, said managing director Yoshiaki Hirashi.
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. says it expects sales in Asia to rise 6 per cent this year compared with an 8.5 per cent increase in 2005, Asia Pacific President Pierre Cohade told Reuters. “We anticipate the industry in Asia to grow 5 per cent this year and we are aiming to gain 6 per cent,” Pierre Cohade said on the sidelines of an American Chamber of Commerce event in Shanghai. Cohade said the forecast was based on a mild slowdown in growth in the China market, one of its major growth drivers.
At the beginning of March 2006 Amsterdam-based Granuband BV Finalised its takeover of Dash Recycled Rubber Inc. (DRRI) in Macon, Missouri, USA. The new company will be named Granuband Macon, LLC. The company will continue the same activities with the personnel who are already employed at DRRI. Following the takeover Granuband will increase production to 24 hours a day. The Missouri factory will produce several sizes of rubber for use things like artificial pitches and as rubber mulch.
(Akron/Tire Review) With its operations in China growing quickly, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. brought in an outside expert to head that business. Margaret Sheng was named vice president of Cooper’s China operations and will be based in Shanghai, China.
Most recently, Sheng was regional executive director for Lear Corp. in central and southern China, and she has worked as director, general manager and operations manager for automotive manufacturers in China, Spain, the Philippines and US.
Radik Ilyasov, CEO of Russian tyre maker Nizhnekamskshina, has described the company’s plans to build a $180 million new truck tyre manufacturing plant. Iiyasov told CentreInvest analysts that the company will build the plant by 2009 and it will be capable of producing 600,000 radial tyres a year. The project will involve foreign participation, either through a JV or via a licensing arrangement. In line with this, Nizhnekamskshina intends to complete its reconstruction of a $180 million rubber mixing line by 2007.
Bridgestone has upgraded its Dayton range, introducing the T-rated D110 general-use tyre. It replaces the D100, which is being phased out across Europe from January 2006.
Designed and manufactured with Bridgestone technology, Dayton is aimed at value-conscious buyers. According to the company, the Dayton D100, launched in 2000, has performed well, but the new product gave Bridgestone engineers the opportunity to retain D100’s wet and dry performance, while extending wear life, a key feature in this segment.
Indian tyre manufacturers will have to import 25,000 tonnes of natural rubber in the six months between April and September, the Hindu Business Line has reported. The imports come after a six month lull, when shipments into the country came to a halt.
“Tyre companies are importing basically since we anticipate shortage of rubber. Contracts have been signed and consignments will begin arriving from April onwards,” said Mr D Ravindran, director-general, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association, the apex body of tyre makers in the country.
Michelin is reporting that Anglian Water’s decision to switch its tyre procurement policy to Michelin from another mainstream manufacturer has resulted in measurable cost savings of nearly 16 per cent per year and halved the number of tyre related breakdowns.
The company operates a fleet of 49 waste tankers and tippers, comprising a mixture of Volvos and Scanias, which are responsible for moving solid product from sewage works directly to treatment plants across the East of England, stretching from the Humber to the Thames.
Sin Hup Huat Company (SHH Co.). has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nankang Rubber Tyres Corporation Taiwan, for SHH Co to exclusively market and sell Nankang’s full range of tyres for Brunei.
The tyre distribution deal will be supported by further contracts that SHH managing director Steven Kuan signed with Brunei’s Hyundai dealer Setia Motors Sdn. Bhd. This makes SHH Co. the preferred service provider for tyres, wheel services and roadside assistance for Setia Motors Sdn. Bhd. SHH simultaneously sealed a deal with 24/7 Roadside Assist, represented by its managing director Mark Adams. 24/7 Roadside Assist will join forces with SHH Co. as its official affiliate service partner and retail outlet for roadside assistance service and preferred workshop.
Continental Tyres today announced the launch of the ContiSportContact 3. Featuring an asymmetrical tread pattern designed to enhance the driving characteristics of sports cars, offer shorter braking distances, and extra grip for better handling, this tyre has already obtained approval from Audi. The new Continental range also includes tread pattern options both for high-powered rear wheel drive sports cars and powerful customised vehicles.
The ContiSportContact 3 has been designed for manufacturers and drivers of sports vehicles – high performance tyres approved for speeds of over 150 mph accounted for 12 per cent of tyres across Europe in 2005. Continental anticipates that the proportion of these tyres will increase to 16 per cent by 2009.
Bridgestone UK will use the Commercial Vehicle show in April to launch a new, long-distance steer tyre, the R249, and a new range of Truck Point retread tyres.
The R249, for trucks of 16 tonnes and heavier, has been designed following a study of nearly 1,000 fleets operating in six major European markets. Reliability and mileage proved to be the main criteria for fleets, followed by traction/grip, fuel efficiency and comfort. Cost per kilometre is assuming ever-greater importance.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced changes in its line-up of directors and corporate officers. The assignments will be effective on April 1, 2006.
Concern amongst Goodyear Dunlop Germany employees is growing as rumours abound about the future direction of the company. Talk of the possible consequences is said to be weighing down on employees, resulting in a difficult working atmosphere.
The word is that Goodyear is planning to change its organisational structure in Germany at some point in the near future. The reorganisation is expected to bring the legally independent Goodyear, Fulda, Dunlop, M-Plus (associated brands) and GDHS (trade) businesses together under one roof, in a similar way to Continental’s profit centre model. If and when this happens, it is not only the managing directors who stand to lose some of their influence. There are also question marks over jobs in Hanau, Fulda and Cologne. The company’s car dealership and truck tyre businesses are already run on an integrated basis.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is to increase its consumer, commercial vehicle and OTR tyre prices by 4 per cent. The increases will cover all brands and were reportedly caused by escalating raw material costs. The announcement takes effect from 1 April.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Europe suffered a minor fire over the weekend of 4 and 5 March. Five firefighters were taken to hospital as a precaution after the fire at the company’s Melksham production facility. Cooper’s Sarah McRoberts told Tyres & Accessories that the fire was successfully contained by the factory’s sprinkler system. Despite more than 35 firefighters attending there were no serious injuries and business is reported to have been unaffected. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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