International News
Tyres4U buys Tyre and Tube Australia
In 15 October 2019 Tyres4U acquired Tyre and Tube Australia Pty Ltd (TTA). TTA is known as a leading specialty tyre and tube wholesaler in addition to being a substantial distributor of value tier passenger and truck tyres in Australia. Initially TTA will continue to operate as it does not, but it will ultimately be absorbed into the Tyres4U operation. This is expected to be complete by the end of November 2019.
Yokohama Rubber offers show visitors glimpse into tyre future
A window into the future of tyres, Yokohama-style, awaits visitors to the Tokyo Motor Show. The Yokohama Rubber stand will feature a “future technologies corner”, at which Yokohama will introduce its CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared & Services) technologies.
Michelin opens regional office in Dubai
Michelin has opened new Africa, India and the Middle East (AIM) operations headquarters at the Dubai Airport Freezone in Dubai. The official opening ceremony took place at the new headquarters in the presence of dignitaries including Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, director general of Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA); Marc Pasquet, president for Michelin, Africa, India and the Middle East (AIM); and Raja Rabia, Consul General of France. The new facility will be managing 87 offices across the region.
Grupo Soledad becomes exclusive Sailun distributor in Iberian Peninsula
Spanish tyre distributor Grupo Soledad has entered into an agreement with Sailun Tyre that gives it exclusive distribution of the Sailun brand in Spain and Portugal. The distribution agreement was signed by the Sailun Group’s European management and José Pérez, commercial director of Grupo Soledad.
New Westlake distributor for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Westlake has assigned a new distributor for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Autobat d.o.o. is now responsible for selling Westlake commercial and industrial tyres in this market.
San Jose Logistica opens new distribution centre
On 5 October, San José Logística de Pneus, a market leading OTR tyre distributor in Portugal and a major player in the equivalent Spanish market opened new facilities in Cantanhede, Portugal.
Linglong Tire cancels NBA China Games partnership
Linglong Tire has withdrawn its support for the NBA China Games, which are taking place in Shanghai and Shenzhen this week. In a Chinese-language press release, the tyre maker stresses that the interests of the motherland, the People’s Republic of China, take precedence over everything else.
Goodyear Farm Tires gearing up for Agritechnica
This year’s Agritechnica will host a celebration of the return of one of the most historic and much-loved names in agricultural farm tyres to the European arena. Based on stand A63 in Hall 19/20 in Hanover, Goodyear Farm Tires will be showcasing its new range after Titan International secured the licence for the European and UK markets.
Michelin to close truck tyre factory in France
The Michelin Group informed the 619 employees at its tyre production facility in La Roche-sur-Yon, France this morning that it will close the site by the end of next year. In addition, 74 people at Michelin’s Cholet plant, employees working in roles related to the supply of rubber mixed to the La Roche-sur-Yon site, are also affected by the closure.
Nokian Tyres opens USA factory
Just over two years after groundbreaking, Nokian Tyres officially opened its new North American production facility. A ceremony was held at the Dayton, Tennessee plant on 2 October to mark the start of operations. The facility is currently engaged in trial production and is expected to be ready to make tyres for commercial use in early 2020.
Kordsa continues PolynSPIRE cooperation
The third meeting of the PolynSPIRE project was hosted by Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters' Association (IKMIB) and supported by the reinforcement leader Kordsa, one of the project partners. The General Project Meeting and Information Sharing Workshop of the PolynSPIRE project was held at the Izmit facilities of Kordsa in last May.
Fintyre Group names Passerini as CEO
Having recently rebranded as Fintyre Group, the European tyre distribution specialist reports that it is also implementing a leadership succession plan. Mauro Pessi will continue to be involved as executive chairman. As a board member the company says he will contribute to the long-term strategic direction of the company, working in close cooperation with Bain Capital.
Point S sponsors Women’s Handball World Championships
Point S has decided to take their involvement in handball, a sport that shares the same values as the brand as far as team spirit is concerned, to the next level. Already heavily involved at a national and international level with the International Handball Federation, from 30 November Point S will be sponsoring the Women's Handball World Championship in Kumumoto, Japan.
Hella AGM approves dividend, elects Shareholder Committee and Supervisory Board
At the annual general meeting of Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA at the company's headquarters in Lippstadt, Germany, shareholders approved all proposals submitted. Around 600 shareholders and guests attended the fifth annual general meeting since flotation on the stock exchange and at the time of the vote, approximately 86 percent of the voting share capital was represented.
Bridgestone looking to increase capacity in South Africa
Bridgestone is considering increasing production capacity at its tyre factories in South Africa in order to gain market share in the country’s minibus taxi segment. It appears to be looking at investing around ZAR 300 million (£16.1 million) in its plants, a capex additional to the ZAR 400 million investment it is currently completing at the company’s main production site in Brits.