Truck Tyres
In India tyre prices are “tumbling” in response to the government’s decision to cut excise tax by eight per cent, local news sources have reported. According to India’s Economic Times, MRF and Ceat have announced 4 – 6 per cent price cuts, while others such as Apollo, Goodyear and Birla Tyres are likely to follow the same lead. This means that typical non-radial bus and truck tyres are 1000 rupees cheaper.
When you have a tyre market that grows by ten per cent each year, as in the case of Russia, an impact on the retreading market is inevitable. Although retreads still don’t have the same status as they do in Western Europe, the eleven companies that are currently doing business in this market are looking forward to a bright future. The growing new tyre market has led to the appearance of a number of different retread companies, including Bandag, Kraiburg and Ellerbrock. Smaller companies like Elgitread from India and ITG from Italy have also shown interest in the Russian market.
The European market doesn’t appear to hold a bright future for retreaded passenger car tyres. Just recently one of the biggest manufacturers of the tyres, Reiff Reifen + Autotechnik GmbH, withdrew from this segment. Nokian Tyres has also taken a similar decision: the Finnish tyre manufacturer has sold its passenger car retreading plant to a Swedish company even though its retreading business was recently brought together under the roof of a new “profit centre”.
If the 8th Moscow Tires & Rubber show is anything to go by, the Russian tyre market looks set to continue its development as a growth market. While the show was marked by growing interest from exhibitors and visitors, the market itself has produced some generally optimistic data and has seen perceptions of the manufacturers’ market approaches improve. All this suggests that the Russian market will continue to develop into a very interesting tyre market, with a strong growth potential.
A changing market environment and growing consumer demand in Russia has encouraged Matador to target the increasing opportunities offered by the market. The Slovakian tyre manufacturer is preparing for the future by initiating a new brand strategy and further investments into its Russian joint venture in Omsk. 2005 is an appropriate year for Matador to contemplate future development of its tyre business, as it will celebrate two important anniversaries during the coming months. In May the company will celebrate its 10th year at the Russian factory Omskshina, followed by its 100th anniversary in the autumn.
The German retreading industry has, for some time now, been concerned about when and how the ECE regulations 108 (passenger tyres) and 109 (truck tyres) would eventually be transferred into mandatory national law. In fact concerns over how the regulations will affect the German retreading market have been lingering since they were put into place in Geneva in June 1998.
Bridgestone Retread Systems is relatively new to the retreading market, having entered the sector in the past year through a joint venture between Bridgestone and Marangoni/Ellerbrock. The idea behind the new company was to bring together and direct Bridgestone’s retreading activities in Europe from a central point; hence its location in Brussels. The joint venture with Marangoni Tread and its German subsidiary, Ellerbrock Tyre Retreading Technology, allows the Japanese manufacturer to cast its retreading net even further; and it can now offer its partners the support and assistance to gain the ECE 109 and the ISO 9001-2000 certifications.
While some newspapers reported analysts’ disappointment with Michelin’s weaker than expected fourth quarter sales, analysts from France, Morgan Stanley as well as Deutsche Bank do not see too much reason for concern. Although volumes were slightly negative, the positive effect of better product mix and prices has continued to be demonstrated from quarter to quarter. Obviously Michelin increased market share with winter tyres and truck tyres in the OE business. Analysts are also highlighting the fact that Michelin is to invest 500 million euros in its polish plant and is therefore ready for further expansion in Eastern Europe.
Toyo Tire and Continental Tire North America have recalled 24 and 50 truck tyres respectively from a “targeted batch.” The announcements follow Yokohama’s decision to recall 69 of its commercial tyres that were produced at the same GTY plant in Mount Vernon Illinois. The total number of recalled products now stands at 143.
Yokohama Tire Corp. is recalling 69 Yokohama brand medium truck tyres because of shoulder area compound problems, Tire Review has reported. The company said the defective tyres contain a “non-specified compound in the shoulder area of the tyre” and “during extended running, the shoulder area of the tyre could lift, resulting in degraded ride and handling” and potentially a tread separation.
Birla Tyres is expecting its turnover to reach 6.5 billion rupees (£80 million), New Delhi’s Business Standard has reported. Speaking to a press conference at the launch of a new truck tyre (the BT 339+), Amit Choudhury, vice president (technical services) Birla Tyres, said: “With several products already launched and a few more in the pipeline, Birla Tyres is on a fast growth track. We garnered a market share of 11 per cent in truck tyres across the country, and 30 per cent of our products are exported to about 30 countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Vietnam and Belgium. We expect our turnover to touch 6.5 billion rupees in the current fiscal.” Referring to the newly-launched product, he said: “The new product is an extension our main brand BT 339, with higher physical dimensional features. It is specially designed for multi-axle vehicles.”
At present the company’s truck tyre factory in Balasore, Orissa, produces 87,500 truck tyres each month. “The production capacity will go up to 93,000 tyres per month by June 2005,” Mr Amit explained. The Balasore plant was formed as a technical collaboration with Pirelli Ltd. The company owns 2,000 retail outlets, 52 stock points and 80 carrying-forward agents across the country, he added.
Local union officials at Yokohama Tire Corp’s Salem plant have agreed to a new labour agreement, guaranteeing job security for more than two years. Mike Amos, president of Local 1023 of United Steelworkers of America (USWA), told local newspapers that members voted by a three to one majority to ratify the collective bargaining agreement. He said about 80 per cent of approximately 670 members voted.
Bridgestone Retread Systems is relatively new to the retreading market, having entered the sector in the past year through a joint venture between Bridgestone and Marangoni/Ellerbrock. The idea behind the new company was to was to bring together and direct Bridgestone’s retreading activities in Europe from a central point; hence its location in Brussels. The joint venture with Marangoni Tread and its German subsidiary, Ellerbrock Tyre Retreading Technology, allows the Japanese manufacturer to cast its retreading net even further; and it can now offer its partners the support and assistance to gain the ECE 109 and the ISO 9001-2000 certifications.
The Malcolm Group, one of Scotland’s largest road transport companies, has signed a three year contract with Michelin for the supply of truck tyres for its fleet. The deal covers 335 tractor units and 1,000 trailers, all to be fitted with Michelin E type tyres.
In its recent first half 2005 results, Toyo Tire & Rubber reported that operating income rocketed 120.8 per cent. This was said to be due to a 25.9 per cent increase in sales of high value products, with general sales improving by 8.7 per cent. Now, having exhibited at the Autosport Show, Toyo is claiming to have “kicked into overdrive” with its “best show ever.” Tyres & Accessories took the opportunity to catch up with marketing director, Mike Rignall.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
