Bridgestone partners online biker platform, Motorcycle Diaries
Bridgestone has officially partnered up with the new online biker platform Motorcycle Diaries. The database of roads and points of interest in Europe allows users to share their most memorable motorcycle adventures. The site is built around four main themes: discovering, inspiring, planning and sharing, allowing users to find the most beautiful riding spots with high quality images and videos, plan their routes and share them with the Motorcycle Diaries community.
Continue ReadingFirst Stop tyre retail network to become a JV in Germany
Just over a month after sharing details of growth plans for its First Stop network in the UK, Bridgestone has announced a major change in its German First Stop network. Pending approval from the relevant authorities, Pneuhage, one of the country’s largest independent tyre retailers, will acquire a 75 per cent share in a joint venture with Bridgestone Deutschland. The intention is for First Stop in Germany and its subsidiaries – retail outlets, retreading operation and partner network – to be operated by this joint venture.
Continue ReadingHankook signs three-year global Real Madrid partnership
Hankook has signed a global partnership contract with Real Madrid CF. The contract starts from July 2016 and is set to last three seasons. By virtue of the deal, Hankook aims to add some 450 million Real Madrid fans from different global markets such as the Asian Pacific region including China, Latin America, and of course Europe. As well as perimeter advertising during all home games at the football club’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium, Hankook will have access to a range of further global marketing rights.
Continue ReadingContinental returning to agricultural radial production in 2017
Over a number of years, Czech tyre maker Mitas a.s. has distanced itself in steps from the Continental brand it’s produced under licence since 2004. Three years ago the company announced an extension of this licence until 2019, however recent events have spurred Continental AG to reclaim its agricultural tyre brand ahead of this date. Continental has now announced a €49.9 million investment in its own agricultural tyre business, and the company will begin producing agricultural radials next year.
Continue ReadingPro-Align expands again with new aftersales support roles
Pro-Align has boosted staff numbers to a record level for the company, having created a number of new support and aftersales roles. The distributor states that the new appointments are the result of growing demand for Pro-Align’s range of Hunter wheel alignment and wheel servicing systems. “As well as providing innovative and technologically advanced products, […]
Continue ReadingToyo extends football sponsorship programme with German, Japanese deals
Toyo Tires has become a premium partner to Fortuna Düsseldorf after entering into a two-year agreement with the German second division (2. Bundesliga) football club. This deal was announced the day the Bundesliga announced its schedule for the 2016/17 season and only a short time after Toyo Tire & Rubber shared news of its new two-year sponsorship of Japanese club Gamba Osaka.
Continue ReadingGroundbreaking held for Pirelli’s second Mexico tyre factory
The China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina) reports that its subsidiary Pirelli “recently” held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new facility in Mexico. It shares that the US$360 million has been invested in the new plant so far, and by the end of 2018 the total investment figure will exceed $600 million.
Continue ReadingThe Brexit effect: certain uncertainty
Markets hate uncertainty. So it was no surprise that the pound fell to its lowest point in 30 years and the FTSE (as well as other European stock markets) took something of a beating in the immediate aftermath of the UK’s 23 June referendum decision to leave the European Union. But these were just the initial reactions. As we went to press (a few days after the Brexit vote), the FTSE has recovered, but not to pre-Brexit levels, while the pound remains at a 30-year low. A rally of this kind could be a sign of a return to stability. It could point to a new, upward trajectory. It could be the calm before the storm. But who knows? Now the British public has spoken, the question is: what does Brexit mean for tyres?
Continue ReadingPoint S hints at Indian market involvement
Fabien Bouquet, CEO of Point S International HQ, took part in the Tyre & Rubber industry Leadership Acknowledgement TRILA Awards that took place in parallel with Tyrexpo India on 15 June.
Continue ReadingTatneft, Nizhnekamskshina report slight rise in tyre production volumes
At its annual general meeting of shareholders this month, Russian corporation PJSC Tatneft reported that its various tyre making operations produced a total of 12 million tyres in 2015, including 875,000 solid steel cord tyres. In 2014 the company manufactured 11.64 million tyres, including 745,090 solid steel cord tyres.
Continue ReadingRosava purchases Saehwa equipment for 17-inch tyre production
South Korean tyre industry machinery manufacturer Saehwa IMC is supplying PJSC Rosava the equipment needed to begin the production of 17-inch passenger car tyres. The Ukrainian tyre maker says it is currently working to modernise its production and has invested in the equipment and tooling needed for the manufacture of this rim diameter size.
Continue ReadingTitan International branches out into agricultural rubber mats
Off-road tyre specialist Titan International has launched a specialty rubber products division. The division is based in the US state of Tennessee and offers a product range that includes stall mats for beef and dairy cattle, swine and horses.
Continue ReadingSTARCO doubles trailer wheel fitment capacity in Belgium
The recently-announced deal with agricultural tyre wholesaler Bohnenkamp will increase the amount of business STARCO conducts with trailer manufacturers in Europe, and to accommodate this additional activity the company is doubling capacity at its Trailer & Caravan Customer Care Centre in Arendonk, Belgium. The boost in capacity will enable the fitment of 1,000,000 wheels per year on new trailers and caravans.
Continue ReadingAston Martin continues with Welsh plant investment post-Brexit
Aston Martin is going ahead with previously announced plans for a new £200 million manufacturing plant in St Athan, Wales despite the UK voting to leave the European Union. It seems that company remains optimistic about its plans at least partly because a weaker pound makes the carmaker’s exports more attractive. Aston Martin president and CEO Dr Andy Palmer said in a statement that the UK’s Brexit vote won’t change the company’s expansion plans.
Continue ReadingSDC trailers bought by Chinese firm CIMC
Chinese firm CIMC Vehicles has acquired Northern Irish firm Retlan Manufacturing Limited, which includes well-known trailer manufacturer SDC Trailers Local news sources quote David Li, general manager and director of the board of CIMC Vehicles, as saying: We are delighted to have acquired the Retlan Group. The acquisition will mark an exciting new chapter in its history. We look forward to working with the existing management to continue its fine tradition of high quality UK-based manufacturing and to the opportunity for further investment to help grow the business.”
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