Reifen organiser extends Rubber Tech Europe, announces Future Tire Conference
Having made its debut in 2014, Messe Essen and the Chinese United Rubber Corporation (CURC) have extended the contract for Rubber Tech Europe up to and including 2020. Rubber Tech China, the Asian predecessor to Rubber Tech Europe, has been held annually alongside Reifen China since 2007, with the former taking three halls at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre to the latter’s one. The new agreement will give Rubber Tech Europe, which started with a space in hall six in Essen’s Reifen 2014, the chance to develop into a more substantial component of the biannual event, with the backing from Messe Essen for the next three Reifen shows. The show within a show is one part of Messe Essen’s strategy to centralise international partnerships within its tyre show operations ahead of the BRV-backed The Tire Cologne show, to be held at Koelnmesse in 2018. The company has also developed links with global aftermarket series, Automechanika.
Continue ReadingAnother record year for Yokohama Rubber
Yokohama Rubber reports that its net sales, operating income, and net income climbed to record levels in fiscal 2014. This is the third consecutive year of record results for the company, and it opines that this performance “reflected robust growth in tyre business in the original equipment market in Japan and vigorous sales gains in markets overseas.” Yokohama’s earnings benefited from a decline in raw material costs and from the weakening of the yen, as well as from the sales growth.
Continue ReadingSacha Hold appointed DriveRight CMO
DriveRight has made Sacha Hold responsible for the worldwide sales activities of the independent supplier of international wheel and tyre data. As the chief marketing officer (CMO), Hold leads the international sales team of the company which has its headquarters in Cardiff, Wales. In this position, he has been appointed to the leadership team of […]
Continue ReadingAnalysts: Michelin financial results ‘light’, but cashflow good and dividend flat
Following the publication of Michelin’s full-year 2014 results and 2015 guidance, some financial analysts described the figures as “light of expectations”. This, they said, was expected to lead to falls in Michelin’s share price in response. But the share price didn’t fall, in fact it was up about two cents by the time the markets close on 11 February, the day after the figures were announced.
Continue ReadingMichelin a double winner at TTI Awards
The winners of this year’s Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence were announced yesterday at a ceremony in Cologne, Germany, and Michelin has come out on top in two of the five awards categories.
Continue ReadingRubber Consultants adds to tyre testing facilities
As part of its investment programme for 2015, Rubber Consultants has complemented its existing tyre testing facilities with the purchase of a new two-station passenger test rig. The UK-based TARRC consultancy says the rig will be commissioned in late spring. One hub will have a 320km/h and two tonne capacity and will be able to carry out force and moment measurements that are used to identify tyre performance characteristics and provide insight into how a tyre’s design affects overall vehicle dynamics. Rubber Consultants says it will be one of the few laboratories in Europe that can offer this service.
Continue ReadingTyre industry demand prompts PPG Industries to raise precipitated silica capacity
PPG Industries is increasing production capacity for precipitated silica at its manufacturing site in Delfzijl, the Netherlands by more than 15,000 tons a year. The decision to raise capacity was made in part as global demand for the company’s Agilon performance silica products is growing; this growth, PPG Industries notes, has been facilitated by the signing of a new multi-year global supply agreement with a multinational tyre manufacturer that will require “large-scale” volumes of Agilon. The company expects the extra capacity to come online in 2016.
Continue ReadingMichelin profits down, volumes stable – “more assertive” distribution planned for 2015
Although volumes were slightly up, Michelin had to accept lower year-on-year turnover and profit in the 2014 financial year. Nevertheless, CEO Jean-Dominique Senard stated that last years results “provide further confirmation of the groups strong fundamentals.” He added that measures intended to drive growth this year include the introduction of new Michelin product ranges and a “revamped line-up” within the company’s other tyre brands. Another factor Senard says we can look forward to is “more assertive distribution,” a reference to Michelin’s recently increased interest in wholesale operations within Europe.
Continue ReadingEmployment award hat-trick for Goodyear
For the third consecutive year, the Top Employers Institute has recognised Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe with a Top Employer Europe award. The Netherlands-based organisation certifies companies that “create excellence in the conditions for their people,” and Goodyear has received Top Employers Institute certification in nine European countries: Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and the UK. For the first time, Goodyear’s national organisations in Turkey, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates were also certified as Top Employers. Goodyear is one of only 27 companies to receive accreditation as a Top Employer Europe this year.
Continue ReadingToyota aims for 100 per cent battery recovery
The hybrid batteries used in Toyota and Lexus models can last longer the vehicles themselves, so often they are only recovered when the cars reach the end of their useful life, or if they have been involved in an accident. Toyota already has a battery collection rate of more than 90 per cent, but is now widening its strategy and targeting a 100 per cent result.
Continue ReadingVon Aspern to lead Michelin’s new European wholesale business
Michelin has named Dieter von Aspern head of its new Distribution business area. In the role of director wholesale Europe, the former marketing director for replacement tyres in the DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) region will take on responsibility for Michelin’s future wholesale activities. Anish K. Taneja has been named Dieter von Aspern’s successor in the DACH replacement business, and will take up these duties alongside his current commercial vehicle tyre position on 1 May.
Continue ReadingApollo maintains profit margins despite Africa costs
Apollo Tyres Ltd has reported consolidated revenue for the nine months (April to December) of FY15 closed at s 96.270 billion rupees (£1.018 billion; 1.369 billion euros; 1.552 billion). Pre-tax profits (EBITDA), without exceptional items, stood at 14.72 billion rupees (£155.682 million; 209.404 million euros; $237.372), up 0.9 billion rupees compared to the same period […]
Continue ReadingCooper appoints ex-Apollo exec Ceneviz
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has appointed ex Apollo Verdestein European president Luis Ceneviz as its managing director - Latin America Tire Operations effective 1 March 2015. In this new role, Ceneviz will be responsible for the company’s business throughout Latin America, including Central and South America, as well as Mexico, where Cooper has a sales and marketing organization and participates in a joint venture tyre manufacturing operation near Guadalajara. He will report to Brad Hughes, Cooper’s chief operating officer.
Continue ReadingOrion names Leigh as SVP
Carbon black supplier, Orion Engineered Carbons, named Mark Leigh as senior vice president, Rubber Carbon Black on 5 February. In this role he will provide leadership to the business line on a worldwide basis. He will also continue to support the Americas region as we conduct a search for his replacement in that role. Leigh […]
Continue ReadingMitas wins overall Claas Supplier Award 2014
Mitas has been awarded the overall prize at the Claas Supplier of the Year Awards 2014. The farm equipment manufacturer rewarded Mitas for its development partnership, a cooperation including active participation in logistics and lesser development projects. The gala event took place in January in Harsewinkel, Germany. Mitas won the award from among 900 serial part suppliers.
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