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.
US-headquartered OTR tyre specialist Eurotire reports that its OTR radial facility in Drobeta Turnu Severin, Romania has been granted several management systems certifications through IQNet and CISQ/RINA.
Cooper’s Avon brand celebrated 30 years of motorsport by adding a number of new championships to its portfolio, including the Time Attack Series, to which Avon became an official tyre supplier at the start of the year and the F1 Era Superbike Championship – a new series for 2013. Meanwhile, Cooper Tires became a principal partner to the burgeoning FIA European Rallycross Championship and sponsor to rising star Timmy Hansen in his maiden season. Both brands were once again the title sponsors of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship and the Cooper Tires British Formula 3 Series.
Czech Republic-based firm CODA Development is seeking licensees within the tyre industry for its patented Self Inflating Tire (SIT). The company says it will “immediately offer licenses to interested parties wanting to integrate SIT into their production lines.”
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) has selected Goodyear as ‘official tyre’ of the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing. Gary Melliere, general manager of Sponsorships at Goodyear North America, describes the partnership between the teams and the tyre maker as “a natural fit for the Goodyear brand and its superior performing tyres”.
Lobbyists are par for the course in US politics, and Goodyear’s senior registered lobbyist Isabel Jasinowski will retire in February 2014. The company has named her successor as head of its Washington, D.C. office as Brian Riley.
At present, Heuver Tyrewholesale is forming a customer support ‘expert team’ for the German speaking markets, and Gert Timmer, who currently manages the company’s agricultural business unit, will take on responsibility for the Bavaria and Austria regions as part of this team. He joins four other experienced customer support professionals in the new German markets team, and will be present with his colleagues at November’s Agritechnica show.
Effective 1 January 2014, Patrick Olney will take on the role of chief operating officer at TRW Automotive Holdings. In his new position, the current president of Volvo Construction Equipment will report directly to TRW Automotive chairman and chief executive officer John Plant. Olney will be based in Michelin, USA, and replaces Steve Lunn, who previously announced his intention to retire effective 28 February 2014.
In the USA, the Hercules Tire & Rubber company has announced the addition of four new 17-inch sizes to its ultra high performance, W-speed rated Raptis WR1 range. The Raptis WR1 combines sleek, modern aesthetics and exceptional steering response with a silica compound and an asymmetric tread design to deliver high-performance character all year round. The new sizes are:
The NBA Global Games’ visit to Taiwan gave tyre manufacturer Kenda the ideal opportunity to meet up with the franchise it sponsors, Houston Rockets, and its star player Jeremy Lin. Kenda officials were invited to a private meet and greet with Lin, who entertained guests by sharing some childhood memories of Taiwan, at Taipei’s Okura Prestige Hotel.
Following BEN’s recent announcement of its plans to create a new residential and retirement ‘village’, the charity was honoured by a visit from His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent GCVO who laid the foundation stone of the state-of-the-art care centre currently under construction on the site of Lynwood, BEN’s long-standing centre in Sunninghill, Berkshire.
Bridgestone Americas has added a new radial tyre, the V-Steel Super Deep Rock (VSDR), to it portfolio of mining tyre products, Tire Review reports.
Steven J. Borick intends to retire as chief executive officer and president of Superior Industries International early next year, and the company’s board has commenced a search for his successor. Borick will relinquish these three roles at the US-based aluminium wheel manufacturer on 31 March 2014, however he will remain chairman and assist with the management transition.
It’s as old as the pneumatic tyre itself – this year, Continental Tire the Americas’ Aldora Mills tyre cord plant in Barnesville, Georgia celebrates 125 years in operation. The facility began life as a cotton mill in 1888 and began producing tyre cord around 1920. Today the 82,500 square metre plant produces around 16 thousand tonnes of tyre cord fabric a year for use in the manufacture of passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyres.
Metzeler has enlisted some celebrity help to introduce its latest models at the Metzeler Legendary Knight, a free entrance and open bar event to be held on 5 November at Fonderia Napoleonica in the Motoquartiere of Milan. Aerosmith frontman and Dirico Motorcycles USA spokesman, Steven Tyler will unveil Metzeler’s custom touring ME 888 Marathon Ultra tyre in a Whitewall version and new 23” front size, while popular British rider Guy Martin will help the brand launch its new Sportec M7 RR supersport tyre.
During the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) Annual Rubber Conference, held in Colombo on 8 October, the secretary to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Plantation Industries stated that the country intends to significantly expand its rubber sector over the coming decade.
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