The sale of Fenner PLC to Michelin has been finalised following the deal’s approval by shareholders and relevant legal bodies earlier this month. Following delivery of the scheme of arrangement (under Part 26 of the United Kingdom’s Companies Act 2006) to the Registrar of Companies today, Fenner has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Michelin. John Pratt, chief financial officer of Fenner, has been appointed Fenner’s new chief executive officer.
Cooper Tire Europe launched a limited edition Cooper Zeon CS8 ahead of the Cooper Tires World RX of Great Britain at Silverstone. As the official tyre supplier and associate partner to World RX, Cooper was also the title sponsor of the new Silverstone round. The Northamptonshire track hosted World RX as part of the Speedmachine festival on 25-27 May.
It’s been dormant for a long while, but now Armstrong is back: Partnering with Netherlands-based tyre wholesaler Van den Ban, this week Zafco launched the next generation of Armstrong tyres at The Tire Cologne.
ATS Euromaster has opened a new dedicated hub centre, expanding mobile tyre maintenance support for quarrying, mining, ports and industrial operators across Yorkshire and the North East. Based in Redcar, the ATS Euromaster hub provides a specialist central headquarters for a mobile service fleet for heavy vehicles, supporting operators with tyre and vehicle maintenance at their own sites in the area from Sheffield to Teesside.
Look carefully for the superscript – Hankook Tire has unveiled its fifth generation of all-season tyre for Europe. It’s called the Hankook Kinergy 4S², and despite the naming similarities is a completely redeveloped product. The Kinergy 4S² comes to market in June 2018 with a launch range of 17 sizes in the 14- to 17-inch rim diameter bracket. From the second half of the year, the range will be expanded to 64 sizes for 14- to 20-inches.
The Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A41 has been selected as original equipment for a series of BMW motorcycles in the adventure category. Bikes to be fitted with Bridgestone rubber include the BMW R 1200 GS, which will wear the Battlax Adventure A41 in size 120/70 R19M/C 60V (front) and 170/60 R17M/C 72V (rear). This latest OE approval also covers the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, BMW F 750 GS and BMW F 850 GS.
Giti Tire has given its first indication of the measures it is taking to shore up its European position in light of the EU tariffs introduced on commercial vehicle tyre produced in China. Presenting two of its most popular tyres, including the Giti GTR955 Combi Road, with “Made in Indonesia” highlighted on their sidewalls, the manufacturer is showing it is capable of shifting European truck tyre production to its Tangerang manufacturing complex in Jakarta, following a development completed in late 2016.
It is a fundamental problem of combustion engines: exhaust emissions and fuel residues dirty the fuel and intake system. Performance levels drop, fuel consumption rises and the exhaust gas values become worse. With the JetClean Tronic II by German additive specialist Liqui Moly garages can give the engine and fuel system a thorough cleaning. “The engine breathe freely again and the garage attains additional sales with the service,” says David Kaiser, research and development manager at Liqui Moly.
The latest generation Volkswagen Touareg, which has just had its world premiere in China, features one of the most powerful lighting systems on the market – the LED Matrix Headlamp, jointly developed by Hella and Volkswagen. Volkswagen will offer the innovative lighting system for the new luxury class SUV, under the ‘IQ.LIGHT – LED Matrix Headlamps’ designation.
Following statements from Aeolus suggesting “Aeolus moves production to Egypt and/or Turkey“, Prometeon Tyre Group has announced that the project to transfer the production of tyres in the production plants of Prometeon Tyre Group, “is still under initial assessment by the two groups, as it is part of the broader integration project of the two companies”.
South Korea-based tyre manufacturer Hankook, which is a leading player in the UK truck tyre market in terms of unit volumes, has stated that it is not affected by the recently introduced European anti-Chinese truck tyre import tariffs. Commenting as part of a statement on the company’s current and ongoing exhibition plans, Tony Lee, Hankook Tire Europe vice president for marketing and sales said:
A groundbreaking ceremony held today marked the start of construction work on a new testing and technology centre being set up by Nokian Tyres in Spain. Festivities to celebrate the occasion were held at the site in Santa Cruz de la Zarza. Nokian Tyres anticipates the completion of the first test tracks next year ahead of the technology centre attaining full operational status in 2020.
Wheel manufacturer Borbet is bringing an alphabet soup of new products with it to The Tire Cologne, including the BY, W and A.
After almost eight years, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) has won the lawsuit it filed against Italian manufacturer TEK Automotive S.r.l. concerning the infringement of SRI’s patents on emergency tyre puncture repair kit technology.
A new compound has been developed for Continental tyres that will see use in harbourside applications. Continental calls this compound Port Plus, and reports that it reduces tyre heat generation, minimises wear and extends tyre life significantly. The Port Plus compound will premiere at TOC Europe in Rotterdam next month.