Speaking at the signing ceremony of Shandong Linglong Tire’s agreement with German football club VfL Wolfsburg, the tyre maker’s CEO spoke of the “first class exposure” and substantially increased brand awareness the partnership will bring. He also discussed Linglong Tire’s growth ambitions and the role Europe will play in achieving these.
As of 1 January 2015, Shandong Linglong Tire will become an international partner to German Bundesliga and Europa League football club VfL Wolfsburg. The multi-year deal sees the tyre maker become a sponsorship partner to the Wolfsburg men’s team in markets outside of Germany. The partnership includes a commitment with Wolfsburg United, the international sporting project from VfL Wolfsburg, and will subsequently support respective Unicef projects and the VfL football school.
Shandong Linglong is opening an office for its new US company, Linglong Americas in Ohio. The site in Medina was formally announced by Wang Feng, CEO and
president of Linglong Tire during an event at the recent SEMA Show in Las Vegas. According to at least two online news sources, the establishment of Linglong Tire’s US company forms part of a broader expansion plan.
Reifen China’s 2014 edition will take place on 3-5 December at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre on December 3 – 5, 2014. On the occasion of the eighth edition of the international meeting place for the sector, Messe Essen and the China United Rubber Corporation (CURC) are expecting around 120 exhibitors from numerous nations. Many of the biggest names in the Chinese tyre industry will be present, and the organisers have particularly emphasised the manufacturing backbone of the show; with around 45 percent of the exhibitors originating from the producing industries, “Reifen China will be a manufacturers’ fair”. The organisers are expecting a total of around 15,000 visitors to both trade fairs.
Following the announcement that Linglong is building a new tyre proving ground in China, the company has released a number of further details relating to the investment in the site and its location. First off, in answer to Tyres & Accessories’ questions, Linglong representatives confirmed that the company is investing 1.13 billion yuan in the new tyre test track (£106.3 million; 133.6 million euros; 182.099 million euros).
In a message published on the company’s website, Shandong Linglong Tyre Co., Ltd has addressed the use of raw materials sourced in the Democratic Republic of Congo, stating that it “takes very serious” the allegations that metals mined in the DRC may be making their way into the company’s supply chain. Shandong Linglong wrote that it expects its suppliers only source materials from environmentally and socially responsible suppliers, and said it has systems in place to ensure compliance.
Following on from the technology agreement signed between Shandong Linglong Tyre and Chinese vehicle manufacturer Geely in June 2012, Linglong reports it has begun supplying original equipment tyres for the Geely Gleagle. The tyre maker is supplying its CrossWind HP010 high performance pattern in size 225/65R16 100H.
The FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup, held in Japan during November, is one of the main qualifying tournaments for the 2012 Olympics. China’s national team finished the 12-team tournament in third place, assuring it a berth in London next year. Commenting on this achievement, team sponsor Shandong Linglong Tyre praised the 18 players for showing the “spirit of Chinese women’s volleyball” to the world.
On 11 October 2011, Hou Yifan, member of Linglong Tyre chess team was awarded “Non-olympic Athlete of the Year” at the 10th China Laurens Prize ceremony was held in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. The award was the second grand prize she won after a prizegiving by state television – “CCTV non-olympic athlete” – at the beginning of this year.
When Al-Dobowi Group executives Surrender Singh Kandhari and his son Harjeev Singh Kandhari founded Infinity tyres six years ago, they probably didn't envisage how quickly their ambitious plans would come to fruition. What began with a series of informal meetings with key employees and potential suppliers in 2004 has since grown into an international exclusive/private brand operation present in 60 countries around the world. The kernel of a concept the Kandharis planted back then has developed through key partnerships with Chinese supplying manufacturer Shandong Linglong Co., Ltd. (see following article for more on this company's latest developments including its plans to construct a $200 million proving ground) and key distribution partners in Europe and Africa. With the recent addition of a Canadian distribution arm last year and with fledgling partnerships in both the Russian and Ukrainian markets, the company's global ambitions are clear.
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