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.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. continued its strong 2010, posting a 27 per cent increase in sales for the second quarter and a $57 million improvement in net income for the period, reports Tire Review. Cooper posted second quarter sales of $804 million. Net income for the period came in at $44 million, up $57 million versus the same period in 2009.
In the US Volvo is recalling more than 3,600 vehicles in its S80 range built between 2007 and 2010 due to a TPMS related issue. The US National Highway Transport Safety Administration reports that certain vehicles in the S80 range were sold to customers with incorrect maximum tyre inflation pressure on their tyre and loading information label and in their user manual. Furthermore, the vehicles’ tyre pressure monitoring system software is set to trigger at the incorrect level. As a consequence, the NHTSA states these vehicles do not meet the required safety standards. Volvo dealers will replace the label, owner’s manual label and TPMS software free of charge.
In the US, TIA has announced that registration has opened for its 2011 OTR Tire Conference, set for 16-19 February at the Doral Resort in Miami. The annual conference includes a trade show, presentations and panel discussions and a golf tournament. More information and registration forms can be found online at tireindustry.org. (Tire Review)
Carlisle Companies Incorporated reported net sales from continuing operations of US$709.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, an 11 per cent increase from the second quarter of 2009. Income from continuing operations decreased 32 per cent to $38.9 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, and net income was $38.6 million, compared to net income of $55.5 million for the second quarter 2009.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced that it will restate its earnings for 2009 and for 2010’s first quarter due to a “material weakness” in the company’s internal financial reporting, Tire Review reports. As a result, at least for full year 2009, Cooper’s net profit will improve, the company reported. How the restatement will impact first quarter 2010 results is unknown.
Goodyear Dunlop has been awarded Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001 certification, following an external audited by BSI. OHSAS 18001 was created from a number of the world’s leading national standards bodies, certification bodies, and specialist consultancies to establish an occupational health and safety management system. It is designed to ensure the company is legally compliant with its major focus being on continual improvement, as well as eliminating or minimising risk to employees, contractors and visitors. The certificate was granted across both Goodyear Dunlop manufacturing sites in the Midlands based in Bushbury, Wolverhampton and in Birmingham near Fort Dunlop.
Visitors to the Dallas Cowboy’s recently completed 280,000 square metre Cowboys Stadium will bask in Yokohama Tire’s corporate presence following the signing of a one-year sponsorship agreement between the club and tyre maker. The deal includes stadium, pre-game, post-game and in-game spots on the team’s flagship radio station; in-stadium displays and in-game announcements on the public address system and on LED boards. Yokohama Tire Corporation will also be able to take advantage of hospitality opportunities at select games, and the tyre maker will partner with the team on its travelling Dallas Cowboy Museum Tour truck, which goes to more than 100 events per year.
Consumers in the US are being treated to the third offering in Michelin’s “The Right Tire Changes Everything” global advertising campaign. This latest instalment focuses on the importance of long-wearing tyres. As usual, the advertisements feature Bibendum the Michelin Man; this time, Bib appears in an animated world where the inhabitants face the challenges brought on by failing to use Michelin tyres. This US campaign centres on Michelin’s HydroEdge range.
If Ranulph Fiennes was planning a 10,000 mile road trip across Asia, he probably wouldn’t select a Daihatsu Hijet van as his vehicle of choice. But four students have spurned the Land Rover and other rugged machines trusted by explorers in favour of this Japanese microvan. It’s probably just as well then that they made a last minute visit to a fast fit centre in Plymouth to get everything ship shape.
Czech tyremaker CGS Tyres has announced that it is currently in discussions with regard to opening tyre production plant in Charles City, located in Iowa, USA. The talks are sufficiently advanced for the firm to announce that, on 31 August, CGS Tyres is expected to sign investment and incentive agreements at the Farm Progress Show in Boone. According to the company, CGS Tyres plans to expand the Charles City plant in three stages with production to start in January 2012.
“Iowa is central to our North American strategy,” said Jaroslav Čechura, the CEO of Mitas, a CGS Tyres group member: “We are expanding our production capacity, and we will provide the U.S. farmers with U.S.-made Mitas and Continental tyres.”
Bridgestone Earthmover Tyres has announced a new tyre monitoring application to increase the longevity and safe operation of its tyres in underground mines. The UTM (Underground Tonne Kilometres per hour Monitor) is designed to allow underground mine operators – and the manufacturer itself – to analyse the key factors at play in the wear experienced in particular situations. It measures vehicle speed; distance travelled; the angles of ascent and descent; side loading movement; and the lateral, longitudinal and vertical forces exerted upon the tyres – a measurement achieved through the fitment of a three-dimensional accelerometer.
Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International, Inc bought a second lot of equipment from the bankrupt Denman tyre. According to information from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District in Ohio, the judge signed the order approving the sale of the Denman Tire machinery and equipment, including other inventory items, for US$3 million. This pricetag appears to be twice the level of earlier reports linking Titan to a further Denman equipment purchase for $1.5 million.
In the US, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions has introduced a new Bandag-brand BDR-HG tread specially designed for regional and over-the-road fleets operating tandem-axle tractors. When used in the drive axle position, the new BDR-HG (Bandag Drive Regional – High Grip) tread is said to promote best-in-class traction both when new and as the tread wears.
Alcoa Wheel Products Europe is having a double celebratio. Not only is 2010 the 30th anniversary of the company’s European activities, but July marks the delivery of the firm’s 5,000,000th wheel to an unnamed customer somewhere in Europe. That lucky customer has been rewarded for their fortuity with a free set of Alcoa Dura-Bright forged aluminium wheels for their truck or trailer.
A number of Continental branded agricultural tyres produced by CGS Tyres have been approved for fitment on several high horsepower John Deere tractors. The Continental tyres will be fitted as original equipment on the 6030/6030 Premium, 7030/7030 Premium, 8R and 9030 series John Deere tractors. CGS comments that its Continental brand agricultural tyres are now available on all John Deere tractors – from 5E series up to the 9030 series.
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