International News
Michelin managing partners take 25% pay cut
Michelin’s managing partners, the executive committee as well as the chairman and independent members of the supervisory board have agreed to reduce their remuneration. The announcement comes in the context of the coronavirus crisis that has caused a noticeable slowdown in the activities of the Michelin Group and which has led to some employees having to undergo partial unemploym
Omni United sending 20,000 masks to UK, Italy and Germany
Singapore-based tyre designer and distributor Omni United has enacted a Covid-19 Assistance initiative, which includes sending over 20,000 protective masks to its business partners in Europe for them to use and/or distribute in their local communities. The team at Omni United is also researching and compiling a database of all governmental financial and fiscal help that is available and some guidance on how to access it as many small business owners may find it difficult to find the information and the practical ways to avail these benefits.
Automechanika Dubai postponed to October
The 18th edition of Automechanika Dubai, which was scheduled to run from 7-9 June 2020, will now take place from 19-21 October 2020 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The postponement comes in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, as containment measures restrict movement across international borders, and impact the global economy.
Coronavirus making its presence felt in rubber markets
Growers, suppliers and manufacturers of both natural and synthetic rubbers are feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with demand for both commodities decreasing significantly in the first quarter of 2020.
Insolvency proceedings begin for 7 Fintyre Group companies in Germany
Insolvency proceedings begin for 7 Fintyre Group companies in Germany
Davanti unveils wave of new product, partnership news at first conference
Davanti marked its fifth anniversary with its first international dealer conference at the end of February. The tyre brand hosted more than 150 attendees by Everton Football Club’s Goodison Park, where it’s development director Gary Cross took the opportunity to announce its upcoming products, including range extensions and what might be called the second generation of Davanti tyres given the new naming conventions first introduced in the Wintoura winter tyre and Terratoura all-terrain 4x4 tyre ranges. Davanti sales director for UK and Ireland Sean Maddocks also presented observations on tyre markets, the development of the brand’s global dealer network over the past five years, and its commercial partnerships including the renewal of its official brand partnership with Everton FC.
Lamborghini producing surgical masks and medical shields
Lamborghini is converting part of its production plant in Sant’Agata Bolognese in order to produce surgical masks and protective medical shields for the Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital in Bologna, which is involved in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, in collaboration with the University of Bologna. The Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences will oversee validation testing of the medical devices made by Lamborghini, prior to their delivery to the hospital.
Nexion Group extends suspension of work until 5 April
The Nexion Group, best known as the manufacturer of the Corghi brand of garage equipment, has extended the suspension of work in its Italian factories and offices for a second week, up to 5 April. The decision comes in compliance with the Italian government’s 25 March decree, implementing “urgent measures to deal with the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19.”
Triangle’s four tyre factories in China at 90%
Triangle Tyre is reporting that its four manufacturing plants in China are now back to operating at 90 per cent after the Chinese New Year and coronavirus shutdown.
USTMA applauds support package
Members of US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) have applauded the U.S. Senate’s “unprecedented work to pass the largest economic relief package in U.S. history”. Now, the group respectfully urges the U.S. House of Representatives and President Trump to “expeditiously ensure this becomes law to provide a much-needed financial boost to American workers, American businesses” and the nation’s struggling economy.
Test World open for indoor testing
Test World reports that it is remaining open to “operate and fulfill a busy schedule of indoor tyre and vehicle testing during the global COVID-19 pandemic”. Writing in an email to customers and contacts published 31 March 2020, company representatives said: “Operating within official health guidance to the strictest degree and treating the health and wellbeing of its staff as the utmost priority, Test World strives to minimise disruption to the industry in these unprecedented times.”
TBR tyre production begins at Prinx Chengshan’s Thailand plant
Prinx Chengshan reports that its new tyre factory in Thailand produced its first commercial vehicle all-steel radial on 25 March. The first phase production project at the Prinx Chengshan Tire (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is now expected to be concluded in the second quarter of this year, giving the facility an annual capacity to produce 800,000 TBR tyres. The plant is also capable of manufacturing 4 million passenger car and light truck tyres a year.
Rosava suspends production until 24 April
Ukranian tyre maker Rosava has temporarily stopped production at both its production sites as part of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. It intends to halt production until 24 April. The company says shipments of products will continue from its warehouses as orders are received.
Tires & Rubber show postponed – but only for 2 months
The Tires & Rubber 2020 exhibition in Moscow has been rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organiser Expocentre reports that the decision not to go ahead with the show between 24 and 27 April was taken after restrictions were announced by federal and city authorities.
Brembo donates 1 million euros to Covid-19 research
Brake manufacturer Brembo has decided to donate 1 million euros to three centres of excellence in Bergamo, namely the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, the Fondazione per la Ricerca Ospedale di Bergamo (FROM) foundation and the Mario Negri Institute, which are working in the region hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, combining clinical and pharmacological research.