Company News
Goodyear awarded for safety improvement practices
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was recently recognised by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) with a Leadership Award for promoting innovative practices to improve worker safety.
UK News
UK, EU car markets grow in April
The EU passenger car market returned to growth in April 2018 after demand declined in March. According to figures released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, a total of 1,206,273 passenger cars were registered last month, a year-on-year growth of 9.6 per cent. Growth in the UK market exceeded the European average, rising 10.4 per cent year-on-year to 167,911 new registrations.
Product News
The Tire Cologne: Prometeon showing latest Pirelli products
The new range of Pirelli agricultural tyres and the latest Pirelli truck products will be on display at the Prometeon Tyre Group stand at next week’s The Tire Cologne. These can be found at Stand C48/D49 in Hall 7.
International News
Bridgestone voted Australia’s most trusted tyre brand
Australian Reader’s Digest has compiled and released its 2018 Most Trusted Brands list, and Bridgestone returns as a top-ten trusted brand. The tyre maker was ranked in tenth place across all trusted brands categories, finishing ahead of Aussie staples such as Vegemite and Aerogard. Bridgestone also claimed the title of ‘Australia’s Most Trusted Tyre Brand’ – a distinction introduced in 2014 – for the fifth consecutive year. Goodyear and Michelin were named as ‘highly recommended’ brands in the tyre category.
- Tread updates web site with new services
- Former F1 driver Jochen Mass becomes Vredestein brand ambassador
- STARCO to distribute Kenda car tyre range in Switzerland
- Kumho Tire CEO ‘grateful’ for dealers’ support as first post-acquisition tyre launched
- Nokian Tyres recruits worn rubber for tyre safety, SnapSkan message
Career Tracks
Senard reappointed Michelin CEO
Following the election of Florent Menegaux as general managing partner and Yves Chapot as non-general managing partner at Michelin’s Annual Shareholders Meeting on 18 May, SAGES, Michelin’s non-managing general Partner, acted on the Michelin Supervisory Board’s recommendation and appointed Jean-Dominique Senard, general managing partner, as chief executive officer. Senard, who was first appointed chief executive officer of Michelin in 2012, will serve as chief executive officer until the end of his term as managing partner, which is the close of the Annual Shareholders Meeting called to approve the 2018 financial statements.
Motorsport News
Yokohama-backed TCR UK race series heads to Scotland
Following the opening round at Silverstone in April, the Yokohama-supported TCR UK race series heads north for its Scottish debut this coming weekend. Twelve cars have been confirmed for the series’ first visit to Knockhill circuit in Fife. The series aims to offer an emphasis on close racing and excitement for spectators.
Retreading News
Truck tyre tariffs to end Chinese import tsunami
The EU’s decision to implement import tariffs on Chinese-produced truck tyres marks a sea-change in both the truck tyre market in general and European governments’ approach to the subject in particular. As of the 8 May 2018, truck tyres produced in China and imported into the UK have become between 52.85 euros and 82.17 euros per tyre more expensive than before. And what’s more, with product registration having begun back in February 2018, such charges look likely to be backdated to February on tyres already sold. This cannot fail to have an enormous impact, but what exactly will it mean for the truck tyre sector?
- Directa Plus collaboration: graphene to boost Marangoni retreading performance
- Lukatec launches ROI-Tread HS 6011 cushion gum extruder
- Vipal Rubber showing new treads, tyre monitoring platform at The Tire Cologne
- Global Retreading Conference comes to Tire Cologne
- VMI exhibiting retreading equipment at Tire Cologne
Comment
Why Doublestar’s Kumho purchase is a good idea
15 months after bidding got underway, Qingdao-based Doublestar and its consortium of Chinese banks and investors bought 45 per cent of the South Korean tyremaker Kumho Tire over the Easter weekend. Whatever other clauses are written into the deal, following the release of shares issued for the purpose of the sale, Kumho Tire’s creditors will own a 23.1 per cent shareholding in the tyre maker, down from 42.01 per cent. This makes the Chinese tyre firm controlling shareholders in South Korea’s Kumho Tire.
