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.
Innovation is one of the top priorities for Rösler – this applies also to product presentation. The company is offering a newly developed and unique iPad Application that provides all relevant information regarding Rösler retreads and tyre filling materials to the user.
Leading independent supplier of specialist wheels, tyres, axles and components for the OEM industrial and agricutural market, Totrax Ltd supplies the UK market with exclusive products from Emrald Greckster and Italmatic Comfort. The distributor recently announced a new website, having relaunched at www.totrax.com recently. Company representative Simon Tidmarsh told Tyres & Accessories: “We moved away from .co.uk to .com as a result of our increasing international sales for our off-road axle, springs and suspension customers.”
The Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo 2012 has reported an increase in its exhibitor list by 60 per cent, with the addition of two new halls to the existing space at the Atlapa Convention Center in Panama. The four-day show and conference will celebrate its third anniversary when it opens on July 25, 2012, with over 160 exhibitors signed up thus far, including Bridgestone, Triangle, Double Coin, JK Tornel, Titan International, CEAT, and “platinum sponsor”, Sailun Tire. “Our vision is to bring global manufacturers and suppliers directly to the Latin markets and to get the Latin dealers to those manufacturers in a familiar venue,” said show director, Linda Bassitt.
Pirelli’s Dr Francesco Gori is stepping down from his position as the company’s chief operation officer. The announcement follows continued speculation as to the future of Dr Gori, which began with newspaper reports that he was leaving to take up a new position outside of the tyre business. A terse statement confirming the news simply stated the fact that Gori is subject to a three-year non-competition clause and that “the company expresses its appreciation to Francesco Gori for the significant contribution to the Group’s results and development made in 33 years of service.” No details were given as to exactly when this decision takes effect.
Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company (ZC Rubber) was China’s largest tyre maker in 2011, according to figures published by the China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA).
Apollo Tyres Ltd has released fourth quarter and full-year 2011 results that show revenues across operations in Asia, Africa and Europe, grew 37 per cent to 121.5 billion rupees (£1.409 billion; 1.81 billion euros; US$2.5 billion). According to the company, Indian operations grew fastest (up 49 per cent) while the firm’s Europe business saw a growth of 27 per cent. Apollo’s African operations witnessed 10 per cent growth.
Rubber and retreading materials manufacturer Kraiburg Austria posted sales of over 108 million euros in 2011, the highest sales figures in the 50 years since the company’s foundation. According to the Kraiburg, the retreading business accounted for a good 65 per cent of the sales. As a result Kraiburg Austria has returned to pre-crisis levels it was achieving in 2008.
Deutsche Bank analysts have raised their target price for Cooper Tire & Rubber shares to US$19.00. In an investors’ note published 3 May, the analysts stated that Cooper Tire “reported stronger than expected Q1 earnings of $0.34 versus our $0.27 estimate. Margins were significantly higher than we expected (operating margin was 4.8 per cent versus our 3.9 per cent estimate). All of the upside versus our estimates was derived from lower than expected raw material inflation. Nonetheless, the results were impressive considering that they were achieved despite $0.32 of strike related costs. This reinforces our view that tyre companies are becoming more profitable at any volume. We maintain our Hold based on uncertainty surrounding structural industry changes.”
A Lancashire company responsible for growing, packing and distributing vegetables across the UK has signed a three-year tyre contract with Michelin Fleet Solutions, covering its fleet of 48 tractor units, 56 temperature-controlled trailers and 42 tipper trailers. Under the agreement, Preston-based Huntapac Produce's in-house transport division, W&J Hunter Transport, will operate its Scania and DAF tractor units on a pence-per-kilometre (PPK) deal, while its trailers will be charged on a standard tyre purchase basis. The policy sees tractor units fitted with Michelin XZE2+ tyres on the steer and mid-lift axles and XDE2 Remix tyres on the drive axles. The trailers will operate on a mixture of Michelin new and Remix XTE3 tyres – all specific fitments for regional and national operations.
A week ago, Continental gave word that its performance in the first quarter of this year was “very good”. The company has now released its full report for the quarter, providing additional details on the three-month period to 31 March.
Although expansion work at Lanxess’ butyl rubber facility in Zwijndrecht, Belgium has been complete for some time now, today the company officially opened the upgraded plant. Reporting on the improvements at Zwijndrecht, Lanxess shares that capacity is now up ten per cent to 150,000 tonnes of butyl rubber per annum. The expansion, carried out at a cost of 20 million euros, was completed several months ahead of schedule at the end of 2011. Work involved expanding the existing plant’s production capacity and building two new pilot plants for developing butyl rubber production technology.
Apollo Vredestein has announced its involvement in research into sources of natural rubber as a partner in the EU-PEARLS project. The objective of the project is to find a European alternative to Hevea brasiliensis-derived natural rubber. The tyre maker notes that replacing natural rubber with a synthetic variant is not always a practical consideration for tyre makers, and with demand for natural rubber continuing to rise, other sources are becoming increasingly attractive. The threat to rubber trees posed by diseases such as South American Leaf Blight provides additional incentive to find an alternative.
The European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association reports it has begun an assessment into the viability of extending the EU Tyre Labelling Regulation to retreaded tyres in 2016. The study is a cooperative effort undertaken together with retreading specialists from the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation, and according to a statement released by the ETRMA on 2 May, it is being carried out so the association can effectively contribute to future policy actions.
Despite higher manufacturing costs in the first quarter of 2012, including costs related to the lockout at its Findlay plant, Cooper Tire & Rubber has announced improved results. The company reports net sales of US$984 million in the first three months of the year, an increase of $82 million, or nine per cent, compared with the first quarter of 2011. Operating profit was $48 million for the quarter, an increase of $16 million from the prior year same quarter. Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber for the quarter ended 31 March 2012 was $22 million, or $0.34 per share on a diluted basis, compared with $16 million, or 25 cents, for the first quarter of 2011.
Goodway Integrated Industries Berhad – or GIIB, as the company’s new corporate branding would have it – will exhibit its retreading solutions at Reifen 2012 (Hall 4, Stand 110). Amongst the product line-up of Supercool Beluga tread liners, GIIB Rübtek rubber compounds and Speedflex cushion gum, the company will be talking to visitors about its new GIIB Supercool Retread Franchise business solution model and its software-enhanced GIIB Management Solutions for Tyres. The company says the GIIB name unifies the brands and presents customers with a more dynamic message.
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