Continental reorganises replacement tyre businesses in EMEA
Continental has merged its passenger and truck tyres replacement businesses in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Philipp von Hirschheydt, former head of the passenger tyres replacement business in the EMEA region, leads the new business unit. This transformation started on 1 January, 2020, becoming effective on 1 July, 2020. Conti states that it has merged the businesses to “increase customer centricity while increasing the overall efficiency of the organisations.” In making this organisational change, Conti has shifted its structure to align with customer groups rather than product categories.
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Continental forms new ‘Specialty Tires’ business unit
Continental has announced the reorganisation of various global specialist tyre activities into a single ‘Specialty Tyres’ business unit. Formed on 1 July, the company has combined its ‘Commercial Specialty Tires’, ‘Two Wheel Tires’ and ‘Hoosier Racing Tire’ business areas under the new umbrella unit. The result of the reorganisation means the entire Continental speciality tyre business will be developed, manufactured and distributed worldwide under the new unit. It brings together tyres for material handling, the agricultural, port, and construction sectors, bicycle and motorcycle tyres, and tyres for racing. The move continues the evolution of various specialist tyre segments within the company, begun at the start of 2013, when Conti renamed its industrial tyres business ‘Commercial Specialty Tires’.
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Marangoni Meccanica appoints new sales and marketing director
Marangoni Meccanica has appointed Tiziano Pancher as sales and marketing director. Pancher is now part of the top management, and reports to Riccardo Mastronardi, CEO of the Company.
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Conti names ex-Hella exec Frank Petznick as head of ADAS
Frank Petznick (49) will take over the management of Continental AG’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) business unit and become a member of the Management Board of the Autonomous Mobility and Safety business area on 1 August 2020.
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Sensata cutting 160 jobs in Northern Ireland
TPMS sensor manufacturer Sensata Technologies is cutting 160 jobs in the town of Antrim, Northern Ireland. The news follows Sensata’s decision to close its Carrickfergus, County Antrim operation in January 2020. And this was part of a downward trend that saw the company cut 125 jobs in Carrickfergus in 2018.
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Alessandro Villa turns his back on TRM Retreading Technologies
The Marangoni group has to look for a new general manager for its TRM Retreading Technologies subsidiary after Alessandro Villa left the retreading systems supplier at his request last week.
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Nexen names Edwin van der Stad vice president OE Europe
Dutchman Edwin van der Stad has been appointed as vice president OE Europe at Nexen Tire. Van der Stad brings 30 years of experience and premium level OE management with him to the Korean tyre manufacturer. Prior to joining Nexen, van der Stad spent many years with Bridgestone. Van der Stad’s new role took effect in March.
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Michelin UK reopening Stoke headquarters in mid-July
Michelin Tyre Plc reopened its retread manufacturing plant at the end of April, but – like much of the company – has been largely working remotely during lockdown. Now, the company is reopening its Campbell Road, Stoke-on-Trent headquarters from mid-July in a bid to move towards the new normal. But what does that look like? Tyres & Accessories spoke with UK managing director Chris Smith in order to find out.
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PCL appoints new operations director
PCL has appointed Dean Battersby as operations director at the company’s UK headquarters in Sheffield. Battersby takes from Mark McCaughey, who has retired after 30 years of service. Having worked for multi-national companies servicing the automotive, aerospace and rail industries, Dean Battersby brings over 22 years of executive experience in manufacturing, operations, procurement, logistics and product management. He holds a BEng (Hons) Degree in Engineering and Business and has an impressive track record in strategy development and implementation, with extensive experience in establishing global supply chains to accommodate increasing levels of customer service.
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Workers leave Michelin Dundee factory for final time
Workers at Michelin’s Dundee plant are leaving for the final time today as the manufacturer ends its half-century of operations in the city. The final Dundee-made Michelin tyre was produced on 23 March, as the Coronavirus pandemic interrupted the planned closure of the site. The Unite union agreed to the early end to production, with Michelin honouring all wage commitments until the final closure date, 30 June. The 2018 decision to close the factory was informed by the rapid increase in consumers’ preference for lower-cost alternatives within the smaller size range the factory was equipped to produce. Michelin supported efforts to find employment for staff at the factory, including the relaunch of Michelin Development, which aimed to create hundreds of jobs in Dundee and Angus.
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Conti: Corona bridge concept will save jobs
First, analysts warned in mid-May that Conti’s R&D budgets and European tyre factories could face cuts. Then the Hannover-based tyremaker responded by saying it is “intensively” monitoring European tyre demand and production. By June the CEO was warning staff of job cuts. Nevertheless, despite such clear challenges facing the wider automotive industry and beyond, the company is still advancing innovative solutions to the very complex problem. Colleagues at our German sister-publication, Neue Reifenzeitung, which can be found online at reifenpresse.de, found that the so-called “Corona bridge” concept is at the forefront of Conti’s work to address the adverse conditions and save jobs.
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Yokohama Europe puts European distributors under Hiroyuki Shioiri’s chairmanship
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has expanded Hiroyuki Shioiri’s responsibilities for companies across Europe including Yokohama HPT in the UK. Effective 1 July 2020, is now Hiroyuki Shioiri Officer, President of Yokohama Europe GmbH, Chairman of Yokohama Reifen GmbH, Chairman of Yokohama Scandinavia AB, Chairman of Yokohama H.P.T. Ltd., Chairman of Yokohama Iberia, S.A., Chairman of Yokohama France S.A.S., President of Yokohama Austria GmbH, President of Yokohama Danmark A/S, President of Yokohama Suisse SA, President of N.V. Yokohama Belgium S.A. Prior to this appointment Hiroyuki Shioiri was Officer, Head of Corporate Planning Div., Chairman of Yokohama Europe GmbH.
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New sales director at SMP Europe
SMP Europe has appointed Wayne Hodgkisson as its new sales director. Hodgkisson has previously overseen the company’s tier one sales strategy, where he was successful in bringing further growth into the business, the company states. In his new position he will oversee the entire sales department with a key focus on supporting growth with customers and buying groups, as well as tapping into new opportunities.
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Erich Fric becomes Goodyear managing director consumer Europe Central
Following the news that The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed ex-Brisa and Bridgestone executive Hakan Bayman as president of Goodyear’s consumer tyre business in Europe, it has emerged that former Goodyear Dunlop UK MD, Erich Fric has been appointed as Goodyear managing director Europe Central. Both appointments are effective 1 July 2020.
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Goodyear names Hakan Bayman as president of European Consumer Business
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed ex-Brisa and Bridgestone executive Hakan Bayman as president of Goodyear’s consumer tyre business in Europe, effective 1 July 2020. Bayman will be based in Brussels and report directly to Chris Delaney, president Goodyear EMEA.
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