International News
Kumho partners with German football club Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Kumho Tyre is the new Premium Partner for German football club Bayer 04 Leverkusen and, for the annual DFB Cup knockout competition, sleeve partner. The two-year partnership between the tyre maker and football club got underway on Saturday when the Bayer 04 players took to the field in their new kit for the first round of the DFB Cup, a match that saw them defeat Alemannia Achen by four goals to one.
IRSG and FTA collaborate
The International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) and the Forests, Trees and Agroforestry research program of the CGIAR (FTA) led by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) have decided to collaborate on issues related to the sustainability of natural rubber production in order to support sustainable development of the natural rubber economy.
USA tyre shipments expected to increase in 2019, says association
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) anticipates that an increase in replacement market passenger car tyre business will drive an overall increase in car tyre shipments in the USA this year. It projects that tyre shipments will increase by 0.76 per cent to 332.9 million units this year.
New Zealand planning regulated ELT stewardship
The New Zealand government is looking to introduce a regulated product stewardship scheme for end of life tyres (ELTs) that places financial responsibility upon importers and retailers to ensure their products are recycled. Tyres are one of six priority products identified by the country’s Ministry for the Environment. The ministry is seeking consultation on proposed guidelines for regulatory product stewardship schemes and is accepting submissions until 4 October.
Endurance Technologies drops plans to make tyres
Indian automotive components manufacturer Endurance Technologies Limited has informed the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) that it’s halted plans to set up a tyre manufacturing operation. The decision not to expand into this area was made after investors voiced concerns about the project.
US lawmakers criticise Goodyear over Mexico factory
A number of US lawmakers have criticized Goodyear Tire & Rubber over its treatment of workers at its San Luis Potosi, Mexico tyre factory in a letter to CEO Richard Kramer. Democratic Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Terri Sewell and Jimmy Gomez signed the letter and complained that their access to the site was limited.
Tire Pros adds 7 branches in USA
In the USA, Tire Pros, a subsidiary of large wholesale operation American Tire Distributors (ATD), has added seven new branches in California, Alabama, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.
IRSG and GPSNR sign MoU
The International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) and the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) designed to detail and define efforts to increase cooperation between the two bodies.
2020 Camaro features Tire Fill Alert system
General Motors has announced that it is equipping the new 2020 Camaro range with its Tire Fill Alert System.
Goodyear announces Germany savings, plans for similar measures in USA
Goodyear Tire & Rubber says its decision to modernise two tyre factories in Germany, and in doing so lay off around 1,100 workers, will cut the tyre maker’s costs by US$60 million to $70 million a year. Chief financial officer Darren Wells anticipates that Goodyear will feel the “full benefit” of these additional earnings by 2022.
JK Tyre and Rivigo partner in TPMS, TaaS project
Indian logistics firm Rivigo has partnered with JK Tyre & Industries Ltd to introduce a patented Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that sends live tyre condition data every few seconds. The Rivigo-originated system – called TREEL - uses algorithms for predictive analysis and features demounting and anti-theft alerts.
Michelin raising tyre prices in USA, Canada
Michelin North America says that prices for selected Michelin and BFGoodrich passenger and light truck tyres will increase by up to five per cent from 1 September. Specific details haven’t been publicly announced – Michelin invites its customers to “discuss details concerning the price increase directly with account managers.”
New CEAT website
CEAT has launched a new website - www.ceatspecilaty.com. Writing in a statement announcing the news, CEAT representatives said: “Moving with the times, we have developed our website to serve you better. Browse through it and stay connected with us at all times.”
Birla Carbon North America increases prices
Effective 1 September 2019, Birla Carbon will increase specialty carbon black prices in North America by 9 per cent. All shipments made on or after this date are subject to the price increase.
Groundbreaking held for new GRI Tires mixing facility
Sri Lanka-based manufacturer GRI Tires has laid the foundation for a new mixing plant. The facility, located some 25 miles from Colombo in the Mirigama Export Processing Zone (MEPZ), will initially give GRI the capacity to increase specialty tyre output by 100 tons a day. A further project phase will double capacity.