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.
Available through Stapleton’s Tyre Services in the UK, Maxxis International has a range of economically priced van and light truck tyres that the company says deliver value through good durability and handling capabilities in all conditions. The company has announced that it has added a “next generation” product to its extensive van range, the MCV3.
Nankang Rubber Tire has been granted a “Taiwan Excellence award 2012” from the country’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Bureau of Foreign Trade and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council. The award was given for six Nankang tyre products, including the company’s first ever ‘green’ tyre, the ECO-1. Nankang was also awarded for its NS-20 passenger car tyre, FT-9 off-road tyre, SV-2 winter tyre, ESSN-1 asymmetrical tread winter tyre and Roadiac motorcycle tyre. The Nankang tyres were selected from a pool of 1,145 products.
Celebrity news and gossip site tmz.com reports Mel Gibson has settled the tyre tech-related lawsuit brought against him by Nader Sherif. The settlement involves Gibson’s payment of an undisclosed sum to Sherif, and further details have not been made public.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will report fourth quarter 2011 financial results before markets open on Tuesday, 14 February. The announcement will be followed by the customary investor conference call at 08:30 (13:30 GMT) with Richard J Kramer, chairman and chief executive officer, and Darren R Wells, executive vice president and chief financial officer.
According to 2011 data from the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association, the European scooter tyre market for P speed ratings or higher has grown 73 per cent over a period of six years. A large chunk of this growth equates to more scooters on the road – the ETRMA says 81 per cent of users ride their scooters every day and 78 per cent ride their scooters to work. A third of all scooter riders are also motorcyclists.
Japanese manufacturer Yokohama has a range of three van tyres available in the UK through its distributor Yokohama HPT and its nationwide dealer network. The patterns in the range aim to cover van applications across all conditions and circumstances, according to the company.
First in the commercial range is the RY818 tyre. Aimed predominantly at the urban delivery user, it features a flat tread pattern to maintain grip and safety under all vehicle load conditions while the design helps to improve water clearance in wet weather. Yokohama says its construction means that it will withstand the daily rigours of multiple deliveries, with its specially-designed kerbing rib protecting against sidewall damage, as well as resisting wear and generating long life and the all-important commercial consideration: value for money.
Bridgestone has started testing its 2012 MotoGP tyre testing season in Valencia, Spain and Sepang, Malaysia. The company says it has spent the winter completing a programme of intensive development, and the tyre evaluation performed around the world over the next two months will be used to gauge perception among the riders. While six lap records were set on Bridgestone rubber in 2011, feedback from riders suggested that additional safety features needed to be built into new tyres, and Bridgestone Motorsport general manager, Tohru Ubukata says this is where the focus has been.
Avon Tyres has launched the latest in its range of van tyres, the AV11, available now in sizes 215/60R16 C, 205/65R16 C, 215/65R16 C and 235/65R16 C. Standing alongside the AV9, Avon says the new tyre will have an expanded fitment range later in 2012.
It’s been almost two years since Lanxess’ Jhagadia production site in India began supplying antioxidants to tyre industry customers, and now the range of products manufactured there has been expanded. Lanxess subsidiary Rhein Chemie has established a facility in Jhagadia for the production of the pre-dispersed rubber additive Rhenogran and the environmentally-friendly release agent Rhenodiv in Jhagadia. The plant was formerly located in Madurai, in India’s Tamil Nadu state, and is one of three new units being set up in Jhagadia. In total, Lanxess has invested more than 70 million euros there and created 300 new jobs. Jhagadia is Lanxess’ second largest production site in India after its site in Nagda in Madhya Pradesh state, and covers an area of 18-hectares.
We’re more accustomed to seeing them on the battlefield than down on the farm, but tracked vehicles are said to be gaining popularity on agricultural vehicles. Farmers Weekly reports they are increasingly finding a place in conditions such as damp fields where tyres would struggle.
Malaysian retreading specialist Goodway Rubber Industries is drawing its five product brands together under a new housemark, GIIB. Pronounced ‘gheeb’, this new ‘umbrella’ brand name is intended to represent a new phase in Goodway’s growth and business direction; the company says the GIIB name unifies the brands and presents customers with a more dynamic message.
As of 6 February, Goodyear Tire & Rubber will have a new vice-president of public relations and communications for its for its North American Tire business. Christopher Curran brings some 20 years in the communications and public relations sector with him into his new role with the tyre maker. Most recently he held the position of director of communications and issues management for The ServiceMaster Company, the world’s largest residential and commercial services network, and also has served in communications roles in the consumer products and health care industries. Curran replaces Ed Markey, who was named Goodyear vice president of corporate communications in March, 2011.
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. has agreed to establish a China-based joint venture company to manufacture and distribute urethane seat cushions for transportation machinery. The agreement was signed with Guangdong TGPM Automotive Industry Group Co., Ltd., headquartered in Foshan City, Guangdong Province.
The name Heidenau may be new to some Tyres & Accessories readers, yet the firm behind the name has produced motorcycle tyres for more than 60 years. Today Heidenau produces a broad range of tyres for various motorcycle and scooter segments – the company manufactures around 400,000 motorcycle tyres per annum in total – and the company claims a very good European dealer network, with sales in most European countries. In the past five years Heidenau has also taken on a more international flavour and now boasts strong partners in the US, South Africa and Australia. Last year it also began with a new Canadian partner and intends to further develop new markets.
Although Michelin reportedly needs to increase output at its Nyiregyhaza plant in Hungary at least 400 per cent to remain competitive, a question mark now hangs over when and if previously planned expansion work will take place. On 25 January business daily Vilaggazdasag quoted the general director of Michelin’s Hungarian unit, John Young, as saying the tyre maker had put its expansion plans on hold due to legal and financial uncertainties in Hungary.
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