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Within days of RubberNetwork.com receiving the all clear from the German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt), Yokohama Rubber Co has joined Continental, Michelin, Pirelli, Goodyear, Sumitomo and Cooper in the global electronic purchasing and procurement market. The RubberNetwork marketplace will be open to all tyre and rubber industry manufacturers and suppliers. The European launch of the market is scheduled for early July.
Goodyear unveiled its newest generation of all- weather tyres, the Vector 5 and the Eagle Vector (EV-2) in Luxembourg at the end of August. The new tyres deliver superior safety on dry and wet roads all-year round as well as in snowy or icy conditions. The highlight of the new SmartTRED technology featured in these innovative products is that different areas of the tyre’s profile, each with distinct properties, come into play, depending on the conditions of the road. The Vector 5 and Eagle Vector (EV-2) will appeal particularly to drivers who usually drive in urban areas or on the flat and who want optimum safety even in adverse weather conditions. They need a tyre that is an excellent all-round performer in the moderate and temperate driving conditions they encounter for 90% of the time they use their car. However they want added safety and peace of mind in heavy rain and when temperatures drop towards freezing or even on snow and ice. Another interesting feature of the new tyres for the cost-conscious driver is that the mileage of these latest all-weather tyres has increased by around 15 percent over previous models. The central profile blocks of the Vector contain a substantial number of 3D-BIS blades – fine incisions in the rubber, whose edges “bite” into the surface of the road in so-called “low friction” conditions. This creates a significant increase in traction and grip on wet roads as well as on snow and ice. The new Vector 5 is immediately available in 21 versions ranging from 155/70R13 to 195/50R15 with a T speed rating (up to 190 km/h). The high performance version Eagle Vector EV-2 will be available in 13 sizes ranging from 185/65R14 H (210 km/h) to 205/55R16 V (240 km/h).
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Ron Wells has been named as Vice President of Business Development for RubberNetwork.com. Wells has over 22 years’ experience with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, having successfully implemented brand development programs on a global level and with experience in purchasing and marketing management.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has announced worldwide sales in the 3rd quarter of $3.7 bn (Q3 2000 = $3.6 bn). Net income for the same period was $9.3 million, compared to $17 m for Q3 last year. For the first nine months of the year, the company posted a net loss of $29.6 m, compared to net income of $142.3 m for the equivalent period in 2000. Sam Gibara spoke of “a general economic slowdown” and “tough market conditions in many regions.” However, one plus point for the company was a market share gain of 3 per cent in the US replacement tyre market.
Malaysian tyre manufacturer Simex Aircraft Tyre Company has signed an agreement to supply Boeing with radial tyres for the 777. Although Simex began aircraft tyre production in 1975, this will be the first time that the company has made radial aircraft tyres and production will begin next year. Simex has named Sumitomo Rubber Industries of Japan as its technical partner in the two-year deal.
An Arizona-based panel of experts assembled by an attorney acting against Firestone has stated that Firestone tyres made in Japan are more durable than those made in America. The ATX tyres manufactured in Japan are claimed to carry thicker layers of key rubber materials, which prevents damaging cracks from appearing. Firestone denied the claim, admitting differences in production but not in durability, the company added that the findings ” are not based on scientific analysis but on anecdotes and unsupported theories.
Canadian company Tirex has announced that Animat Inc. of Quebec has placed an order for recycled rubber to produce rubber mats. The order runs initially for a year and is for a monthly minimum of 100,000 lbs of Rutextm, the recycled rubber product produced by Tirex’s cryogenic tyre recycling technology.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company introduces its newest addition to its line of tyres – the Lifeliner Touring SLE (Sport Luxury Edition). The product offers optimized tread compound to balance wear and wet/winter traction. It is equipped with optimized bead contour, as well, for a more uniform fit to the rim and an improved ride quality. Offset shoulder slots bvreak up tire pitch harmonics, allowing for a more quiet ride. The Touring SLE is offered in three separate speed ratings: T, H and V.
Cooper Tire & Rubber has reported financial figures for the third quarter. Turnover was down 6 per cent compared with 3Q last year ($791 million against $844 million). Operating profit was $46 million (3Q 2000 – $60 m) and net income $14.4 m ($23.4 m). For the first nine months of this year, Cooper’s sales totalled $2.4 billion and net income was $36 million. These figures were down 7 per cent and 62 per cent respectively on figures for the same period last year. Cooper has embarked on a restructuring programme designed to save up to $30 million annually and $4 million was saved during the third quarter.
RubberNetwork.com, LLC, a global electronic purchasing and procurement marketplace created by nine leading companies in the tire and rubber industry, has named Philip J. Ringo Chief Executive Officer and a Member of the company’s Board of Managers.
Goodyear has released details of its financial performance for the last quarter of 2000 and for the year as a whole. Sales for 2000 were a record $14.4 bn (1999: $13.4 bn), of which Dunlop contributed $2.3 bn. Goodyear estimates that currency factors reduced sales by $450 m. Net income was sharply down to $40.3 m (1999: $243.2 m). The number of tyres produced in 2000 rose by 22.8 million units to 223.3 m tyres, of which Dunlop shipped 37.3 m units. Samir Gibara, chairman and chief executive officer, described the results as “disappointing”, adding: “We have solid improvement plans in place for 2001.” Gibara went on to say that global rationalisation initiatives will reduce group employment worldwide by 7,200 and save $150 m this year, and $250 m annually thereafter.
It has been announced that the former Kleber tyre factory at St. Ingbert in Germany will close at the end of June next year. The factory began making tyres in 1970 and ceased tyre production in 1994. Since then it has manufactured tyre components such as textile fabrics and rubber mixings. 200 jobs will be lost and the closure is part of the Michelin Group’s on-going restructuring programme to improve competitiveness.
Cooper Tire and Rubber has issued a warning about offers being made for company shares by TRC Capital Corporation. The company is trying to buy a small amount of Cooper stock at a price below market value. Investors assume the price offered is at a premium and accept, selling shares at below market value. The US Securities and Exchange Commission has been asked to review the offer for potential illegalities.
A year ago, the conference of the European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA) was held in Schwerin, dealing with the present situation and future perspectives of scrap tyre disposal in Germany. Many questions and problems that were left unanswered in 1999 were also discussed at the following conference in Leipzig, which took place at the beginning of last December. Also this time there were few new answers to be found concerning the well-known problems in this area. Why is it so difficult to solve these problems connected with the recycling business? Some answers: the participants in this market are very diverse – and so are the individual aims. In addition, the market situation for recycled scrap tyres is still not the best, and new ideas for sensible and economical applications are few and far between at the moment. Even if they exist, they may still be blocked in many cases, e.g. the use of rubber in road surfaces. On the other hand there is a requirement for European quality standards for products which are already distributed. Furthermore, the knowledge of some companies in this sector is quite limited: it is either the tyre-, disposal- or the marketing-know how that is missing. In many cases the financial backing for new projects is insufficient. Not to mention a number of scandals concerning illegal landfills, which has negatively influenced public opinion about this business sector. Finally the serious market participants, as well as their association ETRA, have run up against a wall of disinterest on the part of the state and the tyre manufacturers.
Truck Racing at Nürburgring is traditionally a highlight of the racing season in Race- and Super Race-series for big trucks. Once again, 200,000 visitors came to see the competitions combined with a big entertainment programme. The smell of diesel and rubber, lots of sausages and beer, country music and a little bit of Western romance – these are the basic ingredients of this three-day-long fun and sports event. The important tyre manufacturers like Goodyear, Fulda and Pirelli were there too and used this occasion to communicate with their customers in an atmosphere much more relaxed than normal. The only tyre supplier for Truck Racing, Continental, had invited almost 2,000 guests for the races. For twelve years the German tyre manufacturer has supported European truck sport. And the involvement means more than just supplying the tyres. Technical support on the race tracks, mounting and professional advice are also part of the programme of sponsoring different teams. Since 1991 all teams of the Super Race-class have driven exclusively on Continental. With up to three trucks weighing 30 tons, the Continental service team accompanies the competitions all over Europe. Two service vehicles have space for 200 truck tyres each – enough to satisfy the needs of all the teams for a complete race weekend. Besides the enthusiasm for motor-sports Continental’s involvement has other practical reasons. Firstly, all target groups from the original equipment sector to the end user can be reached. And secondly, the racing itself provides concrete proof of the high performance and resistance of Continental’s truck tyres.
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