March 2002 - Tyrepress

Disease Threat From Used Tyres

The UK, according to the Guardian, is at threat from mosquitoes imported in used tyre casings. In the past year an Asian breed of mosquito has been found breeding in Brittany, thought to have been imported with used tyre casings. Other species have been found in France, Belgium, Italy and Albania. These insects may not only spread malaria, but dengue fever, yellow fever, equine encephalitis and West Mile virus. There are calls to set up a register of tyre importers and to monitor for mosquitoes at their depots.

28th March 2002/by admin

Surprise Bond Issue From Michelin

The French tyre manufacturer launched a 1.5 billion Euro bond issue of a two part bond. The issue surprised the markets and has a seven-year maturity on a One billion Euro bond, plus a further 500 million pounds in a ten year bond.

28th March 2002/by admin

Continental: End Of Truck Tyre production?

Morgan Stanley sees Continental Shares as positives at the end of the 17th Global Automotive Conference. Conti boss Manfred Wennemer had previously stuck to the goal of reducing debts and had announced that Continental was to buy the remainder of the Temic shares from Daimler Chrysler in the co ming month at a cost of 200 million Euro. When, as planned in the previous year, all five factories have been closed down, more than 50 per cent of Conti’s production capacities will be located in low wage-cost countries. After Wennemer’s statements in New York, some analysts, as has already been quoted in leading economic journals, regard it as possible, or even probable, that Continental is already thinking about dropping its truck tyre production completely – whereas the passenger tyre sector is still closely allied to the concept of chassis management.

28th March 2002/by admin

New Chairman At Amcast

Leo Ladehoff has stepped down as chairman of Amcast a day after the announcement that its second quarter loss had been reduced to 4.9 million Dollars in 2002. Ladehoff will remain as a director, but his post of chairman will be taken by CEO Byron Pond. Meanwhile, Joseph Grewe is joining Amcast as president and COO. Grewe will be responsible for all Amcast operations and will report to Pond.

28th March 2002/by admin

Shift of Michelin Production Towards Romania

Next month, Michelin will close its truck tyre plant at Burnley (UK) and move the production capacity to Romania where the company took over a local producer several months ago. This move was confirmed by CFO Michel Rollier during the Global Automotive Conference held by Morgan Stanley in New York.Rollier added that the truck tyre business should create an average operating profit between 13 and 14 per cent. In the previous year this had been just 8.8 per cent due to the declining market. – a result which was, in any case, much better than the competitors’ results. Rollier added that Michelin wants to intensify its passenger car tyre engagement in the European high performance sector and to improve its position in the winter tyre segment. Both segments meanwhile have become attractive markets. In the USA Michelin has been able to win market share and has exchanged 2.6 million tyres during the Firestone recall.

28th March 2002/by admin

Predicted Fall In Car Sales

Automotive analysts, Autopolis predict a 13 per cent fall in the European car market (from 1999 peak level, in the next 18 months. The claim is based on the European trend showing first in Scandinavian markets, Greece and the Netherlands. Danish demand has already fallen by 40 per cent, Finland by 20 per cent and Greece by 29 per cent in the last year. Economic conditions reinforce the prediction, which would see the market drop by 1.9million units by 2003. Autopolis expects recovery in late 2003, but that there will be little long-term growth till 2010, with Toyota and Hyundai making the greatest gains, whilst smaller producers lose share.

28th March 2002/by admin

Plant Expansion For Goodyear

At a time when Goodyear is selling and downsizing, the company has announced a 4.7 million Dollar expansion at its Asheboro, North Carolina plant. The plant manufactures steel wire for tyres, hoses and conveyors. The expansion will involve the expansion of the workforce by 20.

28th March 2002/by admin

New Wheel For New Audi

The latest Audi A8 Sport will come with a no-charge option of a nine-spoke 20 inch wheel. This will also be available on the A8 Quattro. The standard A8 will be offered with an 18 inch hollow-spoke five-spoke polished alloy wheel.

28th March 2002/by admin

Realignment At Hayes Lemmerz

Hayes Lemmerz International Inc has announced a strategic re-alignment of its European wheel operation. The move creates a new European Wheels Group from the European Fabricated Wheels and European Cast Wheels Business Units. Giancarlo Dallera, from the European cast Wheels Business Unit will be president of the new European Wheels Group, reporting to Curtis Clawson, Hayes Lemmerz Chairman, President and CEO.Clawson says, “This realignment positions us uniquely in the market-place to provide unparalleled service, as well as create one trusted source of solutions for our customers.”

28th March 2002/by admin

Used Tyre Discussion Document Published

The long-awaited discussion paper on a possible producer responsibility model for used tyres has been published by the Department of Trade and Industry. This seeks comments on possible statutory Producer Responsibility requirements on used tyres as a consequence of the Council Directive 1993/31/EC on landfill of waste. Comments must be made in writing by the 12th July 2002, and sent to the relevant addresses given in the discussion document. Copies are available from:-Paul Hallett, DTi, Sustainable Development Directorate, Bay 426, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SS, or can be downloaded from www.dti.gov.uk in PDF format. This document will affect everybody in the tyre business, ensure you have your say in its preparation by at least reading this document.

28th March 2002/by admin

Truck Sales Head Down

North American Truck sales have plummeted, down by as much as 50 per cent since the 1999 peak. There are signs that the downturn may spread to Europe. European truck manufacturers expect sales to fall by 15-20 per cent in 2002. Volvo has declared US deliveries of trucks down 40 per cent and a 21 per cent decline in Europe. Daf also expect to see the European market fall by 20-25 per cent this year.

28th March 2002/by admin

More Woes For Firestone and Ford

A Federal Judge has refused an application by Ford and Firestone to dismiss 121 cases brought against the companies where the cases involved accidents in Venezuela and Columbia. Judge Barker ruled that the defendants had not proven that the cases would get a fair hearing in those countries. The decision is not binding on other courts, but may influence similar cases being brought elsewhere in the USA. Firestone was “extremely disappointed” by the ruling, and Ford said it was “unprecedented”. Both defendants are likely to appeal the case.

27th March 2002/by admin

Truck Tyre Survey – Michelin And Bridgestone Score Well

The latest J.D. Power customer survey concerns heavy truck tyres as original equipment. Respondents rated tyres for safety, durability, tread life and overall value. Michelin came out on top, closely followed by Bridgestone, although Bridgestone customers reported the fewest problems per 100 tyres. According to the report, the biggest problems associated with tyres are excessive or uneven tread wear and blowouts.

26th March 2002/by admin

Looking For Italian Beauties

According the information given in the March issue of the in-flight magazine “Rono Iberia” of the Spanish airline Iberia the Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli is looking for beautiful Italian women – “anonymous” if possible – for its next year’s calendar production. It is planned to add nude pictures of a “national beauty” to the list of celebrities who have appeared in previous editions. “Rondo Iberia” says that a prestigious photographer will select the winner among ten candidates previously chosen by a jury.

25th March 2002/by admin

MRF Limited

MRF was established in Chennai, India, in 1946 as a general rubber goods manufacturer and gradually progressed into tyre production in 1961.Today, the company enjoys the distinction of being the largest tyre company in the Indian subcontinent and the 13th largest in the world. The Far Eastern Economic Review “Annual Review 200”; rated MRF as one of India’s top ten companies and among the 200 most admired companies in Asia, for the last seven years consecutively.MRF was also rated the No. 1 Ethical Company in India by the Business World magazine. MRF operates six manufacturing plants in India at Tiruvottiyur, Arkonam, Kottayam, Goa, Medak, and Pondicherry and manufactures the largest range of tyres in India´s heavy duty truck/bus tyres, light commercial vehicle tyres, passenger car tyres, off-the-road/industrial tyres, 2-wheeler tyres and farm service tyres. Five of these plants and the conveyor belting factory at Arakonam are ISO 9002 certified. The plant at Pondicherry is QS 9000 certified. MRF Tyres are exported to over 65 countries in the Americas, Africa, Middle East, Australia and Asia.With the focus on exports, the company plans to increase market share and start operations in several new countries. MRF also manufactures conveyor belts and precure tread rubber, and its subsidiaries manufacture toys, speciality paints, leather and leather products.

25th March 2002/by admin

1 2 3 … 5 Next »