Bridgestone bringing innovation, Firestone brand to Geneva
Bridgestone will display its ologic and run-flat technologies at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, along with its ‘air free’ concept – a non-pneumatic tyre aimed at providing a low-maintenance and fully sustainable ‘cradle to cradle’ solution that maximises the recycling of worn tyres and other resources. Also present will be the company’s more conventional product lines including, for the first time in many years, the Firestone brand. Passenger car and SUV tyres from the Firestone range will share stand space in Geneva with their Bridgestone brethren. The tyre maker will also share information about the new Firestone Music Tour – a network of festivals sponsored by Firestone.
Continue ReadingDeruibao Tire enters ‘restructuring’ proceedings
Chinese tyre-maker Shandong Deruibao Tire Co., Ltd. has entered “restructuring” proceedings, according to Chinese news sources. China News reported that on 7 February Deruibao Tire applied to its local authority, the Guangrao Economic Development Zone Management Committee Council, asking for the government to restructure the business – making a sale of the tyre manufacturing operation a distinct possibility.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg Wheel Systems’ 2014 sales down as OEM production slows
The agricultural and industrial tyre and wheel unit, Trelleborg Wheel Systems (TWS) recorded five per cent lower organic sales in 2014, after original equipment manufacturers reduced equipment production. The decline in organic sales was not reflective of material handling vehicle industrial/specialist tyre and wheel sales, which Trelleborg said were slightly positive for the full year. Despite the reduced agricultural sales, operating profit for the unit rose to 504 million SEK (£38.84m), with margins also up from 11.7 to 12.1 per cent.
Continue ReadingGoodyear delivers strong operating income in 2014
Although sales were down 5.2 per cent last year, Goodyear Tire & Rubber was nevertheless able to report record operating profit in 2014. Sales of US$18.1 billion for the year were impacted by $571 million in unfavourable foreign currency translation. Tyre unit volumes totalled 162 million, slightly lower than the 162.3 million recorded in 2013, with original equipment volumes down three per cent and replacement market tyre shipments up one per cent.
Continue ReadingATG appoints Peter Baur as European president
ATG (Alliance Tire Group) has appointed former Hilti Deutschland management board member Peter Baur as president of its European operations. Baur started on 9 February 2015.
Continue ReadingHankook, Schmitz Cargobull sign OE tyre agreement
The original equipment supply relationship between Hankook Tire and truck trailer manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull AG has been extended by the signing of an agreement said to detail the two companies’ further long-term cooperation. According to the terms of this agreement, Hankook’s original equipment business with Schmitz Cargobull will initially concentrate on the European market. Nine 19.5 and 22.5 inch trailer sizes from the e-cube range, including the new 455/40 R 22.5 e-cube MAX, and the SmartWork range will be supplied to the trailer manufacturer.
Continue ReadingGeneral Tire marks centenary year
Happy 100th, General Tire. This year marks the centenary of the brand’s debut, and although it has witnessed a few changes, and changes in fortune, in the past hundred years, the ‘General’ begins its second century in good shape and today boasts a wide range of car, 4x4, truck and industrial tyres.
Continue ReadingManagement changes at Bridgestone Americas
In the US, Bridgestone is bidding farewell to one of its top managers and welcoming another on board. After a total of 16 years in the ‘rubber city’ of Akron, Ohio, Bridgestone Americas’ chief technology officer Hideo Hara is returning to Bridgestone Japan to assume the role of Bridgestone fellow. And within the tyre maker’s agricultural business, Tony M. Orlando has been appointed to lead operations.
Continue ReadingBridgestone reports 49% increase in net income, misses analyst targets
Bridgestone Corporation has report increases in its full-year sales and strong increases in profitability, with net-income up 49 per cent compared with the 2013 financial year. Net sales amount to 3,673.9 billion yen (£20.161 billion; 27.108 billion euros; US$30.951), up 3 per cent or 105.8 billion yen. Operating income amounted to 478 billion yen (£2.623 […]
Continue ReadingMagna Tyres to supply Korean container terminal
Netherlands-based industrial tyre manufacturer Magna Tyres and its official agent in South Korea will supply a “considerable quantity” of M-Straddle tyres to one of the world’s largest container terminals as part of a new one-year contract. Magna Tyres and its agent, Hyoshin Hispec Co. Ltd, signed an official contract with BNCT (Busan New Container Terminal) this week and will provide unspecified but large numbers of the M-Straddle in size 16.00R25 over a 12 month period.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg acquires French industrial tyre distributor
Through its Trelleborg Wheel Systems business area, Sweden’s Trelleborg AB has finalised the acquisition of French industrial tyre distributor D.G. Manutention Services SAS (DGMS), a company active in southern France and specialising in the distribution and service of industrial tyres, such as those fitted on forklifts. The transaction was consolidated on 1 February.
Continue ReadingYokohama prioritising growth in final Grand Design 100 phase
Growth will be the focus of Yokohama Rubber’s energies in the fourth and final phase of its ‘Grand Design 100’ medium-term management plan. The Japanese tyre and rubber products manufacturer unveiled details of the three-year Phase IV on 13 February and announced it aim of raising annual net sales to 770 billion yen (£4.2 billion) and annual operating income to 80 billion yen (£438.2 million) by 2017, and to increase operating profit margin to 10.4 per cent within the same timeframe.
Continue ReadingJK Tyre reports US$ million 3Q net profit
Indian tyre manufacturer JK Tyre has reported consolidated net profits of $14.8 million for its third quarter of 2014, which ended 31 December 31, 2014. The quarterly profit report represents an increase of more 56 per cent compared with the same period last year. JK Tyre’s turnover in the period amounted to $322 million. Raghupati […]
Continue ReadingSailun Qingdao factory increasing automated processes to support PCR development
Sailun spent 2014 supporting the growth of its passenger car tyre range, with a number of dealer and tyre testing events, as well as prominent stands at the world’s biggest tyre fairs. Having appointed ex-Kumho technical director, Thomas Jang in November 2013 to oversee the development of its PCR products, Sailun’s European operation has also worked to support its dealers, increasing its business development staff based in Solihull, and co-hosting events such as a week of tyre testing at the historic Lohéac circuit and one for winter tyres in at the Alpine track in Val d’Isère, both with French distributor, Distri Cash.
Continue ReadingToyo reports 169% increase in full-year 2014 net income
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. has reported 2014 consolidated business results showing net sales of 393,782 million yen (£2.146 billion; 2.899 billion euros, US$3.305 billion), up 6.4 per cent compared with 2013. Operating income amounted to 47,510 million yen (£259.657 million; 349.804 million euros; $398.756 million), a 27.6 per cent up on 2013. However, the fastest increase was in the net income category where the full-year total of 31,240 million yen (£170.281 million; 230.012 million euros; $262.2 million) was up a huge 169.4 per compared with a year ago.
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