This author has yet to write their bio.Meanwhile lets just say that we are proud Stephen contributed a whooping 2012 entries.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) shares that a settlement has been reached in its patent infringement lawsuit against Timsum Rubber Tire (Weihai). SRI, which manufactures Dunlop tyres in certain regions outside Europe, filed a lawsuit with the Beijing Intellectual Property Court in response to unauthorised use of the Dunlop Geomax MX52 motocross tyre tread pattern.
Synthetic rubber and plastics manufacturer Trinseo has reached definitive agreements with Swiss sustainable tyre recycling specialist Tyre Recycling Solutions (TRS) on a commercial collaboration and an equity investment in TRS. The transaction is expected to close later this quarter, subject to ordinary closing conditions.
Michelin has added to its portfolio of non-tyre business assets with the acquisition of all outstanding shares in Le Fooding three years after the two companies first began collaborating. The deal is the culmination of an agreement signed with the co-founders of Le Fooding in 2017 – after Michelin acquired a 40 per cent stake in its share capital – that provided for Michelin’s future acquisition of the remaining interest.
Pirelli says it will experience “no economic impact” as a result of a sentence given by the Court of Justice of the European Union yesterday. The sentence pertains to a cartel within the electrical cables market that confirms prior EU Tribunal and EU Commission decisions. The company reiterates that it has “already made the opportune provisions in its risk and charges fund for potential liabilities relative to these proceedings.”
Volkswagen has added Goodyear to its list of approved tyre suppliers for the ID.3. The new electric car will wear Goodyear summer and winter tyres in a range of dimensions: The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance in sizes 215/55 R18, 215/50 R19 and 215/45 R20, as well as Goodyear UltraGrip Performance and UltraGrip Performance+ winter tyres in sizes 215/55 R18 and 215/50 R19.
With its newly-developed global customer service system, ZC Rubber says it offers tyre dealers an online platform that serves as a “one-stop solution for tyre information, marketing support and after-sales service.” The system covers all ZC Rubber brands, including Westlake, Goodride, Chaoyang, Trazano, Arisun and Yartu.
Good news in a year where this has been in short supply: Michelin reports that global demand for its tyres “picked up more strongly than expected” in the third quarter of 2020 after falling steeply in the second quarter. That said, demand is still below where it was this time last year.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has again urged both sides to re-engage the Brexit negotiation process with vigour in order to achieve a satisfactory deal. Bringing its latest calculations to the table, the industry association stresses that ‘no deal’ is a high stake gamble not only for the automotive sector but also for hopes of a green recovery from the coronavirus crisis.
Continental has reported its Q3 2020 financial results, and these are better than many expected. Although quarterly consolidated sales of 10.295 billion euros were 7.3 per cent below the 11.303 billion euros reported in Q3 2019, the adjusted EBIT margin of 8.1 per cent was 2.5 per cent higher. The Rubber Technologies division, which includes Continental’s tyre business, was crucial to this success.
German asset management firm Aurelius Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA is acquiring the GKN Wheels & Structures business from GKN. The transaction is expected to complete in November and is conditional on receiving anti-trust approval. Following the deal’s completion, GKN Wheels & Structures will gain an as-yet-undisclosed new name.
Tyre sensor and data management company Tyrata Inc. says it has raised US$2.9 million in financing from global investors, and will use these funds to complete customer qualification of its IntelliTread Drive-Over System (DOS), establish high-volume manufacturing in global markets and speed development of the Tyrata Internal Tread Sensor product line.
Camso, the off-road tyre specialist acquired by Michelin in 2018, has grown its off-highway transportation tyre service and distribution presence in North America with the acquisition of two material-handling solutions businesses from Metro Industrial Tires. These businesses are based in Chicago and provide service to the market via their own press truck fleets.
Accuride Corporation reported this week that three of its facilities, including two of its wheel plants, have received 2019 Masters of Quality awards from Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA). The awarded plants are the Accuride de México facility in Monterrey, which supplies DTNA with aluminium and steel wheels and is a seven-time awardee; the Henderson plants in Kentucky, USA, which supplies DTNA with steel wheels and is a three-time award recipient; the Rockford factory in Illinois, USA, which supplies Gunite wheel hub, drums, and brake rotors and is a fifth-time awardee.
After postponing the event scheduled for November 2020, the organiser of EIMA International is planning to hold its agricultural machinery trade fair in Bologna next February. But not all exhibitors are convinced this is the right decision. In light of the ongoing coronavirus situation, tyre maker BKT has chosen not to take part in the show and instead will promote its products via digital media.
JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. has named Anshuman Singhania as a managing director of the company. He took over this remit yesterday and will serve a five-year term.
