USWA Give Michelin 11 August Strike Deadline
The leadership of American automotive manufacturing workers, United Steelworkers of America (USWA) have given Michelin North America Incorporated until Wednesday to negotiate a new labour contract.
Tyres can’t function without this critical raw material. Whether its natural or synthetic rubber you are interested in, articles bearing this tag feature this indispensable polymer.
Tag Archive for: rubber
Cooper’s New Role to Control Motorsport Activities
Product NewsJames P Keller, has been announced as Cooper Tire and Rubber’s new vice president, competition and enthusiast products.
Based in Stow, Ohio, Mr Keller will assume his new role as of 15 August. His responsibilities will now focus on directing, administering and coordinating the company’s motorsport activities, this is to include both the Cooper-Avon racing interest in the UK and Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels based in Ohio.
“We are beginning to capitalise on the enormous global opportunities for Cooper Tire in the area of motorsports,” said Phillip D Caris, VP sales and marketing. “This newly-created position will help us continue to develop, promote, grow and maximize performance results and brand awareness from the targeted market niche of competition, performance and enthusiast products for Cooper’s North American tyre division as well as for our global motorsports activities.”
Mr Keller has held a variety of roles within his 21-year career at Cooper. Since May 2003 he has served as the plant manager for Cooper’s fluid systems manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Ohio. Prior to this role, he served as the vice president of purchasing for three years.
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.
Goodyear Announces Price Increases
Product NewsGoodyear Tire & Rubber has announced that it will raise prices on its consumer, commercial, farm and OTR tyres, effective the 1 September.
Consumer tyre prices will increase by up to five per cent and commercial tyre prices by two per cent. Farm tyre prices are set to go up by five per cent and OTR tyre prices will rise between three and five per cent.
According to a Goodyear spokesman all brands will be affected by the price increase. Company officials are citing escalating raw material costs, higher energy rates and rising transportation costs as the reasons behind the price rises.
Cooper Saiyang – a new joint venture
Product NewsCooper Tire & Rubber’s operating group, Cooper-Standard Automotive, has created a joint venture company with Chinese manufacturer Saiyang Sealing Products. Together the companies will sell automobile sealing systems under the name Cooper Saiyang Wuhu Automotive.
Amerityre Plans to Revolutionise Tyre Industry
Product NewsAfter passing US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Amerityre is set to launch its polyurethane car tyres into the market within the next 12 months. The American corporation believes that it will initiate a conversion from rubber to polyurethane tyres throughout the whole industry and estimates that the complete conversion will take 12-15 years. Tyres & Accessories will take a look at this unique concept and in particular at the manufacturing differences and advantages that it holds over its rubber alternative.
Continental Gains 75.96% of Phoenix Shares
Product NewsThe final deadline for acceptance of the takeover offer Continental AG, Hanover, has submitted for Phoenix AG, Hamburg, has expired. Upon completion of the statutory mandated two-week deadline extension, the international automotive supplier now has more than 75.96 percent of Phoenix shares at its disposal.
Execution of the takeover now depends on the outcome of the EU commission’s antitrust investigation. The EU is expected to issue its go-ahead until October.
With the takeover of Phoenix AG, Continental AG intends to further develop its ContiTech division into one of the world’s leading specialists in rubber and plastics technology.
Cooper Tire to Produce Race Tyres in the US
Product NewsCooper Tyre & Rubber has announced that it intends to produce racing tyres at the company’s factory in Athens, Georgia. As a result of the decision the company plans to invest $11 million (£6 million) in the plant so it will be able to produce racing tyres in the factory that currently produces retread products. The conversion to motorsport tyres should begin immediately. Developmental tyre production will start in early 2005.
Steelworkers battle Continental against ‘Runaway Shop Scheme’
Product NewsThe United Steelworkers of America (USWA) has filed a charge against Continental Tire North America (CTNA) to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The union alleges that the suspension of tyre production at the company’s Mayfield, Kentucky facility, scheduled for the end of this year, is illegal. The steelworkers association claims that the federal government should halt the proposed action.
Goodyear Previews Second Quarter Earnings
Product NewsGoodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced that it expects to report second quarter sales of around $4.5 billion. The figure represents a $0.7 million dollar improvement on the previous year, which the company believes is the result of higher volume output, improved pricing and better product mix.
The TIA Calls for Hall of Fame Nominees
Product NewsThe Tire Industry Association (TIA) has announced that it is accepting nominations for the 2004 ‘Hall of Fame’. The nominations are due 1 September and are open to individuals in the tyre industry, including manufacturers, inventors, publishers, equipment suppliers, tyre dealers, and retreaders.
NHTSA Submit New TPMS Rule
Product NewsThe NHTSA has sent a new Tyre Pressure Monitoring rule to the US Office of Management and Budget, 11 months after the agency’s original rule was rejected by the US Appeal Court.
Goodyear to Invest $50 Million in Colombian Plant
Product NewsGoodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced that it will invest $50 million (£27 million) in plans to expand its facility in Cali, Colombia. The plans will see the plant produce radial medium truck tyres in addition to its existing output. This signifies Goodyear’s commitment to the growth of Colombian exports in certain Latin American countries, according to Eduardo Fortunato, president of Goodyear’s Latin America region.
Bridgestone Resumes Rubber Rolling Ahead of Schedule
Product NewsBridgestone has resumed rubber-rolling operations at its Tochigi refining facility two months ahead of schedule. Production was suspended after the building was destroyed by fire in September 2003.
Steel and Rubber Price Increases Hit Industry
Product NewsRubber and Steel price increases are making a negative impact on businesses across Europe, according to analysts. In the last six months businesses have seen steel prices nearly double from $350 a ton in January to more than $617 a ton in June. This rapid growth is widely acknowledged to have been cause by high levels of demand for raw materials from the Chinese market.
