Across the Atlantic they are called tires, while over here we use a “Y” and say tyres. This tag provides the latest tyre business news emanating from the United States of America (USA), whichever way you spell it.
Tire Group International (TGI) has opened a new logistics office in Xiamen, China. The location will be overseen by Emma Luo, who comes to TGI with experience in international freight forwarding and logistics operations, having spent 7 years with Schenker & Bax Global logistics, the company said.
United States organisation the Retread Tire Association has announced that it will be represented at the Society of Automotive Engineers Work Truck Safety Committee meeting in Las Vegas on 24 March. It will discuss the safety, economic and environmental benefits of using retreads on ready mix concrete trucks.
Two Hankook Tire America Corp. executives have opted to leave the company. Bill Bainbridge, director of brand communications, has decided to retire effective February 25. He joined Hankook in 2003 after stints with Toyo Tire USA, where he served as marketing director from 1996 to 1999 and as a regional sales manager from 2001-03. Prior to that, he held positions with SEMA, where he was vice president of marketing from 1999 to 2001; and BFGoodrich Tire. in a variety of in-store and field positions.
The 2011 versions of two iconic US muscle car models are to be fitted with the Firestone Firehawk GT as optional original equipment, reports Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO). The V-rated all-season Firehawk GT will be supplied in size 245/45R20 99V on the all-new Dodge performance flagship saloon, the 2011 Dodge Charger plus the 2011 Dodge Challenger muscle car.
Avon Tyres reports a successful three days at the Birmingham based Motorcycle Expo in late January. In a press release regarding the event, the tyre maker comments that in spite of a “tough” outlook for the UK motorcycle industry, Avon Tyres is enjoying a period of strong sales and is looking forward to a positive 2011.
China’s Jinyu Tyres became the latest manufacturer to announce a price increase when it wrote to customers on 8 February announcing that costs are on the up. The company’s first round of price increases will see the firm’s truck and bus radial prices increase by between 5 and 7 per cent, followed by a 6 – 7 per cent increase across the Jinyu’s passenger car radial range. According to company representatives, “TBR prices will see another change soon.”
Creditors of South Korea's Kumho Asiana Group, parent company of Kumho Tires, are said to be considering selling a 1.46 trillion won (₤818.8 million) stake in Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co Ltd held by the group's affiliates via a block trade. Group company Kumho Industrial Ltd holds 14.6 per cent of Daewoo Engineering & Construction and other units own the remainder, and the sale of a 24.7 per cent share in the contractor, as reported by Reuters, would join a number of other restructuring efforts aimed at aiding the cash-strapped company.
Kumho Tire USA is raising its prices on some of its rannge by an as-yet undisclosed amount on 1 March. Kumho said increases will affect all passenger, light truck/SUV and medium truck tyres. The company concluded its statement by saying the exact details of the increase "will be provided to our clients in the near future.”
Across the Atlantic, Bartec USA has launched its new EZ-Sensor starter kits, which include the new programmable TPMS replacement sensors from Schrader.
In the US Inovex Industries, Inc., the manufacturers of the Ride-On tyre protection system (TPS), have partnered with Motovan (Canada's largest distributor of motorcycle accessories) to distribute the company’s balancer/sealant product.
The Lincolnshire village of Swaton was threatened with flooding thanks to the actions of tyre dumpers. On January 31 the Environment Agency was notified that around 150 used passenger cars dumped in the Swaton Eau had blocked the river channel, causing a back up of water.
The Indonesia Stock Exchange reports that tyre maker PT Gajah Tunggal Tbk has been added to its LQ45 list as of February 2011. The list recognises 45 companies that have fulfilled a number of criteria, including highest market capitalisation within the last 12 months and highest transaction value in a regular market during the same timeframe. The company’s market growth has also been witnessed in its 2010 financials; for the first time, Indonesia’s largest tyre manufacturer exceeded US$1 billion in net sales.
Porsche fanatics David and Veronica Teer from Bodmin, Cornwall have won a set of Michelin’s N-specification Pilot Sport PS2 tyres for their Porsche 996 Carrera 2 Coupe, having entered a Michelin promotional competition run in collaboration with Porsche Centres. The competition required entrants to identify the N-marking Michelin puts on the sidewall of tyres designed specifically for Porsche.
Toyo Tire USA (TTC) has hired former Pentel of America chief operating officer Marty Furman as the company’s new COO. In his new role, Furman will manage all functional departments at TTC, including Technical Services, Sales, Marketing, and Pricing. He will report directly to company president and CEO Yasushi Takagi.
Maxxis has announced that it will take its MA-Z1 Drift tyre onto the European drifting circuit, with the sponsorship of reigning European Drift champion Mark Luney in the SATS Cosworth team. The SATS Cosworth Supra combines the drifting expertise of the SATS Motorsport team with an engine capable of pushing over 800bhp provided by Cosworth. Mark Luney, who has won the championship two years in a row and was also a contender for the title of Maxxis British Drift Champion in 2010, has signed to drive the car over the course of the year at major championships both in the UK and across Europe.
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.
