Techking Tyres has established US headquarters with a new base in Chattanooga, Tennessee. At the same time, Tire Review reports that the company has hired a pair of US tyre industry veterans to lead its North American efforts. Larry Williams, most recently president of China Manufacturers Alliance, has been hired as Techking’s North American chief. Former Trelleborg Wheel Systems marketer takes on the role of director of marketing. (Tire Review)
Watts Tyre Group has retained its certified supplier status for Toyota for the fourth consecutive year. The award based on conformance with Toyota Industrial Equipment’s (TIESA France) supplier certification programme, requires that a series of “exacting measures” are consistently met over the course of a year and follows on Watts Tyre Group being awarded Supplier of the Year to TIESA in 2009.
Fiat Group agricultural machinery company, New Holland, has opted to fit Trelleborg agricultural tyres to the Hydrogen powered tractor prototype it has developed in anticipation of future farming trends. According to the tyre maker, the hydrogen-powered NH2 is a key element of New Holland’s Energy Independent Farm approach. The concept reportedly allows famers to generate energy to run their farms and equipment autonomously. The NH2 features an integrated fuel cell system that turns hydrogen into electricity and therefore doesn’t produce any emissions.
Speaking on Trelleborg AG’s performance during the first three months of the year, company president and CEO Peter Nilsson stated “the first quarter of 2010 is showing that we are building a stronger Trelleborg and that we are constantly moving towards growing and profitable segments The implemented action programmes continue to give positive effects and we are gradually growing in to a more efficient structure.”
Trelleborg tyres will exclusively equip two New Holland special edition Blue Power tractors, the T7070 AutoCommand and the T7060 PowerCommand. The Blue Power was launched by New Holland to celebrate the prestigious 2010 Tractor of the Year award along with the Golden Tractor for Design, repeating the same awards obtained in 2008. New Holland reportedly picked Trelleborg as its partner on Blue Power tractors for its “specialist knowledge of the agriculture sector, its capacity to ensure highly professional technical assistance in the field, and its creative communication.”
Trelleborg Wheel Systems has signed a long-term collaboration agreement with agricultural OEM AGCO. The deal sees the two companies undertake to cooperate in tyre development. The partnership is said to illustrate “the desires of both companies to continue investing in specialization, focusing on innovation, quality and excellent customer service…Through synergies and by sharing research and development tools and methods.”
Stefano Bettinelli, Original Equipment Director at Trelleborg’s Agricultural and Forestry Tires division had this to say: “The experience both companies have gained and strengthens the positioning of both brands,” says “Its main objective is the development of innovative solutions that anticipate the needs of agricultural specialists.”
The Michelin Group and the Group Taquipneu have signed a cooperation agreement that sees the global tyre manufacturer take “a minority stake” in commercial vehicle and industrial tyre distribution specialists Taquipneu SA. Details of the size of the stake and the value of the deal have not been released.
The strategy is for the two companies to work together in a mutually beneficial partnership that sees Michelin transfer some tyre and trade know-how, while Taquipneu Group offers what Michelin representatives called its customer facing “operational excellence.” The intention is said to be for Michelin to grow in the segment, with Taquipneu strengthening its sustainability and the two companies respecting each others’ independence.
Trelleborg AB reports that its Trelleborg Wheel Systems division achieved net sales of SEK 2,991 million (₤263.6 million) during the previous financial year, a decrease of 19.3 per cent on its 2008 result. In releasing its figures for January to December, the Swedish manufacturer notes “organic sales declined 26 per cent, exchange-rate effects were 7 per cent and structural changes 0 per cent. Net sales are lower as a result of a significant decrease in demand for industrial tyres and lower agricultural-tyre sales. Demand for agricultural tyres showed some variation in the various sub-segments, where the trend for large dimensions was better in relative terms, but demand for this product group also fell toward year-end.”
Trelleborg Wheel Systems has announced it will increase prices by between 5 and 10 per cent in Europe and North America, effective 1 March 2010. Product lines affected include the company’s industrial, solid and construction tyre lines. According to the company, the price rise is the result of “escalating raw material and transportation costs combined with currency fluctuations.” On 13 January Trelleborg announced it would increase the prices of its agricultural and forestry tyres and wheels by 5 per cent.
As of February 1 the price of certain Trelleborg Wheel Systems product will rise. The company says an increase of five per cent will apply to its agricultural and forestry tyres and wheels in European and North American markets.
As a result of Alliance Tire Group’s purchase of worldwide rights to the Galaxy brand from GPX International Inc., Trelleborg Wheel Systems will consequently stop distributing Galaxy-brand off-the-road tyres in Europe. Trelleborg states it continue to support its customers with the Galaxy brand until the new owner takes over.
The president of Trelleborg’s Agricultural and Forestry Tire Business Unit, Paolo Pompei, has commented that the division will go ahead with the investments planned for the next two or so years. “In a time of uncertainty such as this, some companies choose to reduce, freeze or even dispose of their investments,” Pompei commented. “Trelleborg, however, looks to the future in a positive way and continues with all its planned investments for 2009 to 2011.” In its 2008 annual report, Trelleborg stated investments in the agricultural tyre sector would focus upon “further development of the customer offering.” The company outlined that its Wheel Systems’ development centre in Italy is in the process of working on the next generation of high-performance agricultural tyres in cooperation with leading machinery manufacturers, and is preparing to present new products that address the key requirements of high speed road capability, comfort, roadholding, low soil impact and environmental sensitivity.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems has won the prestigious Coup de Coeur exhibitor award at AGRIBEX 2009 in Brussels, Belgium, which ran from 1 to 6 December 2009. Trelleborg won the award (in the stands up to 150 square metres category) for an exhibit featuring the “Sorry, we only make tyres for agriculture” slogan. Judges praised the Trelleborg stand for being “strong and immediately reaching its target group: farmers.” The jury specifically admired the “small city car with big agricultural tyres” at the stand’s core.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems has opted to use extender oils that comply with limits on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) ahead of the January 2010 deadline. According to the company, the new extender oils will maintain “the excellent overall performance of Trelleborg tyres” while respecting the environment. European Directive EC/2005/69 and REACH Regulation EC/1907/2006 impose restrictions in the use of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in extender oils and tyres. Ahead of these regulations coming into force, Trelleborg says its entire range of agricultural, forestry and industrial tyres will now comply.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are traditionally ingredients of extender oils that are used as plasticizers and compound viscosity reducers in the manufacturing of tyres. EU Directive 76/769/EEC places restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations and has been amended on several occasions since it was first approved in 1976. The 27th amendment makes reference to PAH and was published as a separate directive, EU Directive 2005/69/EC, to highlight the restriction in the use of PAH in extender oils and tyres.
As part of its long-term strategy of investing in markets offering favourable growth potential, Trelleborg has announced plans to further strengthen its presence in Brazil. On November 16 the company inaugurated a new facility near São Paulo, where the manufacture of high-performance seals for such items as aircraft and passenger cars, as well as for industrial applications, will take place. The plant is part of the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions business area and will initially employ about 100 staff.
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