Dayton under threat again
The future of Oklahoma City’s Dayton Tire plant is threatened by a dispute between two power supply companies.
The future of Oklahoma City’s Dayton Tire plant is threatened by a dispute between two power supply companies.
With the forecast of a turnover of 190 million Euro in 2003, wheel producer BBS (Germany) will significantly improve on its 2002 results (175 m). For the first nine months of this business year the company has announced an increase in turnover of 9.1 per cent and so was better than the industry average. The gain comes from OE business with an increase of 14 per cent, whereas aftermarket and income from motorsports and licensing was below the 2002 figure. The share of foreign business has fallen to 49.2 per cent. BBS expects to make a small profit in 2003.
To ensure cost-effective supply of new products worldwide, a Goodyear marketing executive has joined the company’s new global sourcing organization. Dipinder “DP” Singh (44), the former director of global market intelligence and strategy, has been appointed director of global requirements planning. He reports to Chris W. Clark, senior vice president, global sourcing. Singh will work with the sales and marketing teams in each of the company’s business units to develop strategic initiatives to support global sourcing decisions.
Alloy wheel manufacturer Fintrade has taken the decision to run down and cease production of its own make alloy wheels. The company says that it cannot compete with products from emerging markets and that the closure of the factory was the only route open to avoid financial ruin. The company has announced an orderly run down of production and will be liquidating the assets of the business to service debts in order of preference. It is expected that there should be no shortfall at this point in the proceedings.
Hayes Lemmerz International has received approval from NASDAQ to begin trading on The NASDAQ National Market under the symbol “HAYZ”. The Company’s shares previously were quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board and in the Pink Sheets under the symbol “HAYZ”.
Goodyear’s most high-tech truck tyre ever has received recognition that labels it as “terrific” and “one of the best product introductions of 2003,” according to Truck Sales & Leasing publication. The Goodyear G395 LHS steer-axle tyre for long-haul applications was honoured as one of “Terrific 20” of 2003 by the magazine. Winning products are chosen for their innovation, serviceability and performance, according to the magazine. Dave Beasley, Goodyear’s director of sales, commercial tyres said, “We are honoured to have this new tyre recognized as one of the best products in the trucking business. The tyre was designed to be a product that its users could rely on, mile after mile.”
When Goodyear’s Global off-the-road business unit formally launched the Two Piece Assembly this summer it called the new product “revolutionary”. Now it can be called “award winning.” The Two Piece Assembly has won Construction Equipment magazine’s Top 100 award for 2003.
ThyssenKrupp Elastomertechnik GmbH, the world’s largest manufacturer of tyre machinery and a part of the Euro 35 billion ThyssenKrupp group, has deepened its alliance with the RS Lodha-managed Alfred Herbert India Ltd by signing an additional technical collaboration agreement.
The Indian tyre industry is gearing up for 3 per cent to 5 per cent price hike starting in December.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed Robert A. Novotny to the position of vice president, Global Engineering & Manufacturing Technology. In this role, Novotny will report to Joseph M. Gingo, executive vice president, Quality Systems & chief technical officer, and Chris W. Clark, senior vice president, Global Sourcing. Novotny, 48, replaces Ernest J. Rodia, who is retiring after 37 years with Goodyear. Rodia, 60, had served as the group’s vice president since February
2001.
After the fire that completely destroyed the production plant at Marangoni’s German subsidiary Ellerbrock, North of Hamburg three weeks ago, the well known retread technology producer has stopped worrying about the past. Rather, Ellerbrock is occupied with plans for the future. The immediate goal is to reconstruct the plant by the end of next year, company officials told T&A. They didn’t reveal the total investment but will ensure that the new plant will process at least as much rubber as the old one, i.e. 15,000 tons per year. According to the plans, Ellerbrock’s new plant will become the most modern in Europe. In the meantime, 20 employees have been posted to two Marangoni plants in Italy in order to prevent the company from encountering delivery difficulties. For the first few weeks after the fire, Ellerbrock has been doing business from the stock.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.