Truck Tyres
Chinese tyre manufacturers are shifting away from the production of truck tyres in favour of passenger car product, according to local news sources and Bloomberg. Even with this shift, however, China’s net rubber consumption will remain flat for 2013, good news for tyre pricing worldwide.
Aeolus has confirmed its involvement with the CV Show in April, where it will debut with its exclusive UK distributor, Kings Road Tyres (KRT). According to the company, the show will provide an important opportunity to build wider brand awareness for Aeolus, which has been manufacturing commercial vehicle tyres since 1965.
Dick Rozeboom has recently changed to a new job with Continental Group BV in Barneveld, Holland. According to an official statement released by the company in order to announce the news, Rozeboom takes on his new role with immediate effect in a move designed to strengthen the company’s sales and distribution in the area.
When it comes to making cost savings in Europe, Michelin’s management is not ruling anything out. In a clear sign of the pressure tyre manufacturers are under in Europe, Michelin is said to be considering headcounts and manufacturing capacities. The fact that such things are being discussed so openly could also be interpreted as a sign that the company is trying to allay investor questions related to what action it is taking to address the tough conditions the market has found itself in.
Nokian Tyres has released its 2012 annual report, and the Finnish manufacturer reports a 10.7 growth in net sales to 1.61 billion euros, 9.2 per cent rise in operating profit to 415.0 million euros and a 7.1 per cent increase in profit to 330.9 million euros. Russia proved a regional strength during the year and demand for Nokian’s passenger car tyres increased there, while demand “decreased clearly” in Central Europe. Combined output of the company’s plants in Nokia, Finland and Vsevolozhsk, Russia in 2012 was 15.7 million tyres, and the annualised capacity at year-end was 18 million pieces.
Dutch OTR tyre manufacturer Magna Tyres Group has announced details of a “strategic relationship” with wholesaler Interpneu. Beginning in April 2013 the agreement is described as “an important step” in introducing and building the Magna brand in Germany. Based in Waalwijk, Netherlands Magna says it is seeking to expand having manufactured compounds for three decades.
Italian tyre maker Pirelli intends to introduce a second brand of commercial vehicle tyres that takes its name, if not its heritage, from the company’s F1 involvement. At a recent dealer meeting in Munich, Germany, Pirelli presented examples of an associated tyre brand; this new, yet to be released range is called ‘Formula’, and the Pirelli says its introduction will complete the company’s heavy vehicle product range. Further details about the Formula brand are yet to be made public.
Based on the results of a feasibility study, German chemicals firm Lanxess has opted to convert its Triunfo factory in southern Brazil from the manufacture of emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (E-SBR), as used in standard tyres, to solution styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR), which is used in used in high-performance, green tyres. Lanxess notes that it is the first company to carry out such a conversion.
Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe has appointed Leszek Szafran as Director Retread Operations Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA). He will take over the position from Hubert Moquet, who retires after more than 34 years’ service with the company.
An article printed in the China Daily states that Pirelli will double passenger car tyre production at its Shandong Province plant through a US$200 million investment. Pirelli Asia Pacific CEO Gregorio Borgo is quoted as saying the expansion is necessary due to potential domestic market demand for both passenger car and 4×4 tyres.
A significant milestone in the construction of Continental Tire the Americas’ Sumter plant in South Carolina was reached with the securing of the final beam of the million square foot (93,000 square metre) greenfield plant’s basic structure on 19 February. The tyre maker celebrated the achievement with an event attended by local and state dignitaries, who were given the opportunity to see construction progress first-hand. It is now eleven months since the groundbreaking ceremony at the 330 (134 hectare) acre site was held.
It turns out that 2012 was a good year for Bridgestone Corporation. The Japanese tyre and rubber products manufacturer achieved a 66.8 per cent increase in net income during the period, taking in a healthy 171.6 billion yen (£1.18 billion). This jump in profit was achieved despite sales remaining relatively level; these increased 0.5 per cent to 3,039.7 billion yen (£20.94 billion). Operating income rose 49.5 per cent to 285.9 billion yen (£1.97 billion) and operating margin increased from 6.3 per cent to 9.4 per cent.
Nokian Tyres has introduced a new product into its Noktop range of retreading materials. The Finnish manufacturer describes the new Noktop 86 traction tread as offering “never before seen reliability for demanding earthmoving applications.” Elaborating on this bold statement, Nokian says the rubber compound used in the Noktop 86 provides “excellent puncture and cut protection under demanding conditions in mines and gravel pits where quarried rock presents an ever-challenging working environment.”
Sales of heavy good vehicle trailers fell 6.3 per cent across Western Europe in 2012. Meanwhile heavy truck demand fell by more than 9 per cent, according to market analysts from the Clear agency, which pointed out that the figures were in line with its expectations. The fall was almost universal – only Norway and Denmark experienced increased trailer demand. The worst performing markets were Italy, Portugal and Spain, which saw falls of between 20 and 40 per cent.
Michelin’s 2012 financial results are now public, and in a pithy sentence the tyre maker describes its performance last year as “strong 2012 earnings in lacklustre markets.” During the year the company earned net sales of 21.474 billion euros, up three per cent on 2011, although Michelin says weak demand, particularly in Europe, dragged sales volumes down 6.4 per cent year-on-year. Western Europe and North America each accounted for 34 per cent of total net sales, with North America gaining three percentage points at Western Europe’s expense, while the rest of the world’s share of net sales remained unchanged from 2011 at 32 per cent.
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