Natural rubber prices will continue to rise next year even though output from the world’s leading producing countries is expected to increase, according to an expert from the London-based International Rubber Study Group (IRSG).
In recent months a letter originating from Michelin Tyre PLC commercial director, Chris Bloor, has circulated among the tyre distribution community highlighting the availability of parallel imported Michelin branded 295/80R 22.5 XZE2+ commercial vehicle tyres. Tyres & Accessories approached Mr Bloor for further clarification, and asked what was behind the memo.
Goodyear has renewed its contract as the official tyre supplier to the Land Rover G4 Challenge. Commencing in Bangkok on 23rd April 2006, the Land Rover G4 Challenge will travel through Thailand, Laos and Brazil before finishing in Bolivia on 20th May 2006. Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tyres will be fitted to all the Land Rover G4 Challenge vehicles including the new Range Rover Sport and Discovery 3 as well as the Freelander, Range Rover and Defender.
“The Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tyre displayed outstanding performance on the inaugural Land Rover G4 Challenge in 2003” said Matthew Taylor, Land Rover, managing director, “we are delighted to have Goodyear’s expertise to assist competitors as they 4×4 drive their way through some of the world’s most exciting terrain.”
Bridgestone Corporation will expand production capacity for truck and bus radial tyres at its Chonburi plant in Thailand. This move is in response to growing global demand for those tyres. At the same time, Bridgestone will increase production capacity at its Rayong plant in Thailand which manufactures and supplies steel cord for radial tyres. The aim of this is to secure stable supply of raw materials. Bridgestone reports that it has earmarked approximately 126 million euros for investment in the expansion work of these two plants.
Tyre maker Bridgestone Corp. said on Tuesday first-half operating profit edged up despite higher raw materials prices, and it lifted its full-year forecasts citing robust sales of high-end products. The higher forecast was expected after Bridgestone said last month it would likely post a smaller drop in 2005 operating profit than first thought thanks to brisk demand for tyres that offer higher safety or help raise fuel economy.
(Akron/Tire Review) Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand) Co, a subsidiary of The Yokohama Rubber Co, held its grand opening ceremony on 15 July.
ICEM (the International Federation of Chemical, Energy Mining and General Workers’ Unions) has accused Goodyear of ‘union busting’ in Thailand. In a statement published on the union’s web site ICEM said it was “sharply critical” of labour practices being carried out by Goodyear Thailand Ltd, a subsidiary of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.
Sumitomo Rubber is reportedly planning to build “the world’s largest quality tyre factory” in Thailand, local media sources have reported. The factory will be base in the eastern province of Rayong and will aim to manufacture 7 million Dunlop branded tyres a year with the first tyres rolling off the production line in 2007, according to the reports.
Wiboon Kromdin, president of the Amata City Co Ltd, said that Sumitomo had already signed an agreement to purchase land for the production plant. The move represents the company’s first investment in Thailand. The location is said to have been chosen due to its proximity to Laem Chabang Port, and Thailand’s position at the centre of distribution to the Asian market.
Groupe Michelin will buy a 30 per cent stake in its Michelin Siam joint venture from partner, the Siam Cement Group, raising its stake in the venture to 90 per cent. In a statement published on the Siam Cement web site, the company announced that it will gain 3.3 billion baht (£44.6 million) between 2005 and 2008 as a result of plans to reduce its stake in the joint venture. The company plans to steadily reduce its stake in Michelin Siam to 10 per cent from its current level of 40 per cent beginning in the fourth quarter of this year, it said in a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand. In 2004, Michelin Siam recorded total revenue of 328 million euros.
(Akron/Tire Review) Two Michelin North America (MNA) facilities recently received honors for their safety records. Michelin Americas Research and Development Corp., based in Greenville, S.C., and MNA’s Michelin Retread Technologies Inc. (MRTI) tread pressing plant in Covington, Ga., received the Michelin Achievement in Safety Award for 2004.
According to Groupe Michelin, its Michelin Achievement in Safety Award recognises company facilities that “show continued and outstanding improvement in safety for the year.” In addition to the MNA facilities being honored, Groupe Michelin also presented awards to facilities in France, Thailand, Mexico, France, Romania, the United Kingdom, China, Germany, Brazil and Nigeria.
(Akron/Tire Review) Yokohama Rubber Co is to build a new tyre plant in Thailand to produce passenger and light truck/SUV tyres. The company said it would begin construction of the 11.5 billion yen facility this October, which will be located adjacent to its current Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand) Co. facility there. Yokohama said the new plant, with an initial capacity of 1.4 million tyres annually, will begin production in November 2006. The plant will be designed, the company said, to allow for further expansion as warranted.
Tyres & RubberTech China was first staged in 1998 and has been held every other year. Now, in response to demand from exhibitors and visitors, it has been decided to stage the show annually and the next event will take place in Shanghai from 9 – 11 November. The organisers estimate that the 2005 show will cover 10,000 square metres.
(India/Rubber Asia) Cheap imports from China and to a lesser extent from Thailand and South Korea, coupled with rising raw material costs are posing a serious challenge to the Indian tyre industry, Apollo Tyres chief operating officer Mr Neeraj Kanwar has said.
Feedback from the fourth Automechanika Asia trade fair, held in Kuala Lumpur in early April, has been voted a success by visitors and exhibitors.
There were 126 exhibitors from 17 countries (Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, PR China, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, UK and USA).
A forecast by the China Minmetals & Chemicals Import and Export Chamber of Commerce says that demand from the tyre industry will be the major factor in a rise in the price of rubber and growth in the Chinese Rubber Industry in 2005.
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