USA Archives - Page 258 of 268 - Tyrepress

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.

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Tyrexpo Europe 2001 Preview

It is exhibition time once again in the UK, with Tyrexpo Europe 2001 being held in the Grand Hall at Olympia from March 14th to 16th. In terms of space, this is the largest-ever show in the event’s 23-year history. The exhibitor list underlines the show’s growing internationalisation over recent years, with companies coming from (naturally, given the name of the show) western and eastern Europe, the USA and Canada and the Far East. Manufacturing tyres has become an increasingly global business, and so has wholesaling, with companies searching the globe for new sources of products and also for customers. Wholesalers are well represented at Tyrexpo. An industry not enjoying good times at the moment is that of retreading, especially for passenger car tyres. It is no surprise, therefore, that the number of retreaders taking space at the show is below that of previous events. However, the industry is not totally unrepresented, with machinery manufacturers and suppliers of consumables taking space. Two areas which are becoming more prominent are those of tyre recycling and internet trading. Legal moves such as the banning of tyres for landfill and the End of Life Vehicle Directive are concentrating industry minds on recycling, and there are tyre collectors and disposers among the exhibitors. Few doubt that the internet will have a growing effect on the tyre – and every other – business, and Tyrexpo Europe provides the opportunity for some of the companies offering internet trading to show what they can offer. Our preview gives a flavour of the variety of exhibitors by giving details of some of what is on show. TYRES & ACCESSORIES and our sister magazine NEUE REIFENZEITUNG, are sharing a stand and we look forward to seeing friends old and new.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

“Agreement Close” For Carlyle To Buy ContiTech

Carlyle, the US private equity group, is said to be on the verge of paying Continental one billion Euro for its ContiTech division. Analysts say that the money will be used to finance purchases aimed at achieving Conti’s ambition to become a “chassis management” company rather than just a tyre manufacturer.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

OE Success For Hankook

Ford has chosen Hankook as the single supplier of tyres for the F-150 pick-up in the USA. The tyre sizes are 235/70R17 and 235/75R17. The first shipments will start in a few months and expected volume is to be around 600,000 tyres. Hankook is also hoping to win an OE order from Volkswagen: The possible tyre size could be 205/45R16 to be offered as an option by Volkswagen.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Vice President Materials Management For Goodyear

Mark D. Ponton (50) has been appointed vice president of materials management for Goodyear in the USA. The post entails looking after Goodyear’s initiatives in warehousing and distribution in North America.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Cost Reductions Planned By Michelin

Michelin achieved a 2.8 per cent growth in sales for the first quarter of 2001, compared to the same period last year. The passenger car divisions in Europe and the USA were successful, selling more UHP tyres than ever before and improving the mix. Obviously, price increases are sticking, with the exception of truck tyres in the USA. Michelin has announced a cost reduction plan for the US, designed to save around 125 million Euro. Despite a sharp fall in EBIT, Deutsche Bank analysts confirmed Michelin shares as a “buy”.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Recalled Tyres Potential Recycling Nightmare

The 13 million recalled Firestone tyres in the USA may be about to create another set of problems.Ford has contracted Recovery Technologies Group (RTG) to collect and recycle 6 million of the tyres. The company is having to use sub-contractors to collect, so may not be fully in control of the collection and it is feared that many tyres may be returned to the road. Additionally, RTG, can currently only shred 500 tyres per day, which equates to 32 years of non-stop shredding. Even if the firm does shred and crumb every tyre, there are serious doubts about the available market for the end product.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

US Wheel Manufacturer To Shut Plant

Alloy wheel manufacturer American Racing Equipment is to close down its factory in Warsaw, Kentucky, by the end of the year. Production will be transferred to other plants in California and Mexico and just over 200 workers will lose their jobs. The downturn in the US auto industry was blamed for the closure, particularly cutbacks at DaimlerChrysler. The Warsaw plant supplied wheels for the Chrysler Grand Cherokee, but cutbacks mean that the factory has been running at less than one quarter capacity recently.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Fine For SITA Tyre Recycling Ltd After Environmental Offences

On January 24, SITA Tyre Recycling Ltd., the company running the whole-tyres-to-energy power station which has been closed since June, pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Magistrates court to five environmental offences. The case was brought by the Environment Agency and SITA were fined a total of £28,500, and ordered to pay costs of £15,392.50. Meanwhile, the SITA tyres-to-energy power station (formerly Elm Energy), based in the midlands in the UK, is unlikely to open its doors again as a tyre-burning facility, at least under SITA ownership. Initial investigations indicated that rectification work would cost 4 million Pounds and a closer examination revised this figure to 6 million. There were doubts too that a viable price could be achieved for a regular supply of tyres. Eventually, the decision was taken to mothball the plant until SITA either finds a buyer, or uses it for something else. 59 of the 60 employees have been made redundant.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Business As Usual In South Africa – Ford And Bridgestone

In South Africa, Ford and Bridgestone/Firestone have announced that the split between the two companies in the USA will not affect their 50-year relationship. Ford SA’s director of corporate affairs Craig von Essen said that the recall problem was a matter for the US companies and that, as far as the South African company was concerned, it was “business as usual”. Bridgestone supplies South African companies with ATX and R45 Wilderness tyres, manufactured locally. As well as Ford SA, it supplies tyres to BMW SA, Toyota SA and Nissan SA.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Rubber Manufacturers Association Cuts Tyre Forecast

Underlining the news from Goodyear, the US trade group the Rubber Manufacturers Association has cut its forecast of tyre shipments for 2001 from 316 million tyres to 303 million. Last year’s figure was a record 321 million tyres. July tyre shipments to car manufacturers were 5 per cent down on the same month last year, while commercial market shipments fell by 32 per cent. The RMA predicts shipments of 304.4 million tyres next year and 317 million in 2003.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Malaysian Tyres Now Accepted World-wide

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers – Malaysian Tyre Manufacturers Industry Group claims that Malaysian manufactured tyres now conform to the highest international standards. Products have now been accepted in over 40 countries, including markets with strict regulations such as in Europe, Australia, US and Japan. Malaya’s four major manufacturers, DMIB Bhd, Goodyear Malaysia Bhd, Silverstone Bhd and Sime Tyres International Sdn exported over 2 million tyres in 2000.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Investor Update From Goodyear

The latest investor update from Goodyear reflects the worldwide state of the motor industry. US and European passenger car replacement sales were above last year’s figures, but commercial sales were down. OE shipments in the US were down, but level with last year’s figures in the European Union. Eastern Europe showed a flat replacement market and a 20% drop in OE supply. In Latin America replacement sales were down, but OE was up in May. A similar picture was painted in Asia. Throughout the world market increasing raw materials costs and reduction in auto manufacture output has affected trade adversely.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Wilson Retires As MD of Bridgestone/Firestone UK

Jim Wilson, Managing Director of Bridgestone/Firestone UK since 1995 has retired to return home to the USA. Wilson joined Firestone in 1965 and has worked overseas since 1967. His position will be held by marketing director Chikuma Otsuki until further notice.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

US Customer Survey Rates Goodyear

A customer survey conducted by US mail order tyre and wheel retailer Tire Rack has placed Goodyear tyres top in two categories. The Aquatred 3 came first in the all-season category and the Regatta was top of the standard touring section. Goodyear said the results were slightly surprising, as the company does not supply Tire Rack directly with tyres.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

New Plant for Nissan

Japanese car producer Nissan is investing 930 million US-Dollars in a new plant in Canton (Mississippi). Construction began at the beginning of April. The new plant will have a production capacity of 250,000 cars per annum and employ 4,000 people.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors