US tyre association postpones safety week
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has postponed its 2020 National Tire Safety Week campaign, which was scheduled to take place between 18 and 24 May, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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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Sailun offers medium radial truck tyre warranty in USA
TBC Brands, one of the largest distributors of private brand tyres in North America, is offering an enhanced Sailun Advantage truck tyre warranty. According to the company, the new warranty programme is a “game-changing” combination of outstanding quality, competitive pricing, expansive product selection, enhanced warranties and multiple retreads.
Goodyear opens its ‘Convoy’ e-commerce truck tyre programme to everyone
In the USA, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced that it will extend the full capabilities of its Commercial Total Solution to carriers of all sizes in Convoy’s Digital Freight Network, in a statement on 9 April 2020. According to the company, Convoy is the first online discount programme Goodyear has offered through its commercial e-commerce platform GoodyearTruckTires.com.
Cooper now a virtual motorsport tyre supplier
The season start of many motorsport events has been delayed due to the coronavirus. Unable to get cars out on the track, US-based racecar driver development programme the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires has gone virtual with a new five-race e-series. This e-series allows drivers from Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship to compete against one another using race simulators.
Cooper Tires extends North America production pause
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company announced on Friday that its tyre manufacturing plants in North America will remain shuttered for at least another two weeks. The company began closing down its Findlay, Clarksdale, Tupelo and Texarkana facilities in the USA and El Salto plant in Mexico on 21 March and intended to shut them down for two two three weeks. It says the production pause is being extended both to protect the health and safety of employees and as a response to decreased market demand. Cooper will continue to closely monitor the situation and adjust timing as necessary.
Triangle’s four tyre factories in China at 90%
Triangle Tyre is reporting that its four manufacturing plants in China are now back to operating at 90 per cent after the Chinese New Year and coronavirus shutdown.
USTMA applauds support package
Members of US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) have applauded the U.S. Senate’s “unprecedented work to pass the largest economic relief package in U.S. history”. Now, the group respectfully urges the U.S. House of Representatives and President Trump to “expeditiously ensure this becomes law to provide a much-needed financial boost to American workers, American businesses” and the nation’s struggling economy.
‘Supporting the food industry’ – Titan International’s tyre plants stay open
Titan International, Inc., manufacturer of the Titan tyre brands as well as the Goodyear agricultural tyre lines sold in the UK, Europe and North America, says its plants are operating as normal during the COVID-19 crisis. The company describes its decision to maintain production as a “commitment to keeping its US manufacturing facilities operating as normal in order to support the food and agriculture industry.”
Nokian Tyres temporarily closes US and Russian factories
Due to the impacts of COVID-19, Nokian Tyres will temporarily cease production at its factories in the USA and Russia. The plant in Dayton, USA will close on Friday for a minimum of two weeks. At Nokian Tyres’ Russian factory, the production shutdown will start on Monday, 30 March and will last for a week. Nokian Tyres will continue supplying customers through its regional warehouses.
Nokian Tyres adjusting output in Russia, freezes hiring at new USA plant
In addition to the temporary layoffs planned for its factory in Finland and announced last week, Nokian Tyres is implementing changes at its other sites in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Production output in Russia will be flexibly adjusted “in line with global demand.” While the ramp-up of Nokian’s new plant in the USA continues, the company has postponed recruitment of additional employees. Furthermore, work on the new test centre in Spain has also temporarily stopped, delaying the project.
Cooper Tires pausing production in North America, considering options in Europe
Market demand for tyres in some parts of the world is declining parallel to the spread of the coronavirus, and Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has responded by announcing a temporary shutdown of its tyre manufacturing facilities in the United States and Mexico. In a statement published on Saturday, the tyre maker said it is also “currently assessing plans” for its operations in Europe. Cooper Tires’ plants in China, which reopened several weeks ago and have continued to ramp up production since then, remain in operation.
Pirelli announces slowdown plan for USA factory
In addition to pausing production in the UK, Pirelli will first reduce production at its plant in Rome, USA and then close it completely for a week.
Will tyre dealers stay open in a lockdown?
While the government has introduced significant social distancing measures including closing schools, and while tyre businesses are offering innovative contactless solutions, garages are still open for business. However, in Italy the country has been on lockdown for a month. We know that truck tyre technicians should be categorised as “key workers”, but what about car tyre retailers and what if movements become more restricted?
Robert Lee named president of Continental North America
Robert (Bob) Lee will take over as the new president of Continental North America. He succeeds Jeff Klei, who will retire after serving more than 30 years in the industry. Lee will be responsible for leading customer, governmental and other external relationships across the region.
Marangoni North America ‘remains operational’
Marangoni Tread North America (MTNA) has communicated that it “remains operational” despite the Covid-19 pandemic. According to MTNA, the company is “committed to providing superior products and services to our customers. We are taking active steps to prevent any interruption in our business processes.”
