Myers Tire Supply adds three TPMS packages
Myers Tire Supply has added three new exclusive TPMS kits to its product offering. The kits include: the ATEQ VT56 industry-leading TPMS diagnostic tool with OBDII and two years of software updates; the Myers 360 TPMS activation and programming tool; and 12 of the customers’ choice of sensors from Schrader, Alligator or HUF.
Continue ReadingVMI breaks ground on Poland plant
VMI Group broke ground on its new manufacturing plant in Leszno, Poland on 2 November 2016. In the first phase, the company is building a 13,500 m2 facility on its 8 hectare plot of land with goal of extending the current manufacturing capabilities of the company. VMI Group now has entities in 8 countries on 5 continents.
Continue ReadingHamaton appoints Osmani as North American general manager
Following the establishment of Hamaton Inc. in the US, Hamaton has appointed Enri Osmani, as general manager of the North America business. According to the company, he brings with him “significant depth of experience gained from senior roles which have taken him into both the Automotive aftermarket and OE sectors.” Based at the new headquarters in Wixom, Michigan, and working closely with the management team of Hamaton Ltd in the UK, he will coordinate the development of Hamaton Inc. which will ensure that Hamaton’s North American customer base will receive valuable field sales, technical, training and product support.
Continue ReadingChemChina denies bidding for Kumho
Reuters reports that ChemChina did not bid for Kumho Tire, citing a ChemChina executive. told Reuters, denying South Korean media. Roughly 10 parties are said to have expressed an interest in buying a controlling stake in Kumho, which is the worlds 12th-biggest tyre manufacturer. Analysts suggest the deal could be worth around 1 trillion won ($870.02 million).
Continue ReadingAre OEMs “manipulating” TPMS tests?
Campaigning body Transport & Environment (T&E) has published research suggesting original equipment vehicle manufacturers are “again manipulating official tests – this time on safety by adjusting indirect tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) to pass the lab test but failing to perform on the road”.
Continue ReadingConsolidation of Chinese tyre manufacturers gaining speed
Following the implementation of US import tariffs in the last year (car tyres 2015; truck tyres 2016) and the widespread recognition of vast oversupply in the Chinese manufacturing base, there has been talk of consolidation of tyre industry in the People’s Republic for some time. In the last few weeks however, it has become apparent that several Dongying, Shandong-based tyre manufacturers (especially those found in the Gungrao district) have experienced serious difficulties resulting in bankruptcies, buyouts and mergers. Now the consolidation trend appears to be gathering speed. Deruibao Tire was the first to go pop more than a year ago, taking the private brand orders of some well-known wholesalers and importers with it, before its assets were taken on by fast-growing Qingdao Doublestar in what some characterised as a shotgun wedding, but was also a sign of things to come. Several local Chinese news sources named Dongying-based Hengyu Tire as the next to go (with the latter apparently declaring bankruptcy on 14 February), followed by the smaller and younger O’Green and Watson Tyre factories. At the same time, various Chinese tyre distributors report that Yongtai Chemical’s tyre operations have shut down. Company representatives were not available for comment. However, we do know that Yongtai-owned Covpress (a Coventry-based panel metal supplier to well-known OEMs including Jaguar Land Rover) has entered administration. And furthermore, DMack – which had made itself popular selling World Rally Championship tyres made at Yongtai Chemical – switched production of its tarmac competition tyres to Cooper Tire Europe’s Avon Motorsport division in Melksham in mid-August (see “Yongtai Chemical-owned Covpress in administration” for further details).
Continue ReadingYokohama Rubber aeroacoustic simulation technology wins research project award
Yokohama’s research on ‘Highly accurate fluid analysis and data mining for next-generation silent tyre development’ has received an Excellent achievement research project award for general-use research themes undertaken using the High Performance Computing Infrastructure (HPCI). Yokohama’s research was conducted in cooperation with the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), a research arm of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), HPCI is promoted by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The award was announced at the third project report meeting of the HPCI System Including K computer, held at the Kokuyo Hall in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on 21 October.
Continue ReadingCimcorp supplying automated handling system to Petlas
Cimcorp is supplying a fully automated handling system to Petlas Tire Corporation at its factory in Kirsehir, Turkey, about 100 miles southeast of Ankara. Based on Cimcorps Dream Factory solution, the automation will handle finished passenger car radial tyre-finishing and palletizing areas. Work on the order – Cimcorp’s first project for Petlas – is already underway and the turnkey material handling system will become operational in the autumn of 2017.
Continue ReadingAl Saeedi Group hosts Camso customer meeting
Al Saeedi Group has held a meeting with its Camso, formerly Camoplast Solideal, tyre customers. The event was chaired by Ferreol Tournebize, Camso zone director for Middle East Africa; Majid Tamoutounour, business development manager Middle East Africa; and Anish Malattiri, director, Al Saeedi Group.
Continue ReadingSignatech Alpine confirm WEC LMP2 victory on Dunlop tyres
Dunlop-shod Signatech Alpine became 2016 FIA World Endurance (WEC) LMP2 champions at 6 Hours of Shanghai, the penultimate round of the championship, having finished fourth. The race was won by G-Drive Racing, also on Dunlop rubber, in its second consecutive victory. Additionally the ByKolles CLM claimed its first win of 2016 in the LMP1 Privateer class.
Continue ReadingSolvay starts Zeosil silica production in South Korean
Solvay has commenced production of Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS) at its new state-of-the-art plant in Gunsan, South Korea. The plant has an annual capacity of more than 80,000 tons and is producing Solvay’s most advanced grades of HDS – many of which are used in fuel efficient tyre compounds.
Continue ReadingGajah Tunggal recalls certain Primewell and GT Radial tyres in Canada
Gajah Tunggal Tbk has voluntarily recall certain Primewell and GT Radial tyres. Approximately 5,724 tyres GT Radial Champiro Touring A/S and Primewell Valera Touring II tyres are being recalled in Canada.
Continue ReadingSmithers holds tyre symposium in China
Rubber, plastics and composites testing company Smithers Rapra recently held its first Tire Technology Symposium in China. According to the research and testing firm, the event brought together about 70 members of the Chinese tyre industry to share technical knowledge, regulatory expertise and business insight. The symposium covered the industry supply chain, including automotive OEMs, tyre manufacturers and retailers.
Continue ReadingBridgestone researchers claim to have reduced tyre wear by 60%
Bridgestone recently gave a presentation to the Japanese Cabinet Office on the subject of its ImPACT resource saving, strength increasing tyre polymer research project conduction in association with Tokyo University. The project, which seeks to bring government, industry and academia together are to: developing high-strength materials, making each component thinner and lighter; and to improve fuel economy and save resources through weight saving and increased durability as well as reduced fuel consumption. Initial results suggest the scientists “succeeded in the development of materials that [offer]…a 60 per cent reduction in wear rate.”
Continue ReadingDavanti signs South African distribution deal
Davanti will be distributed in South Africa by Tyremart, one of the country’s largest independent tyre fitment franchises. With immediate effect, Tyremart will promote and sell the complete Davanti range of car, 4x4/SUV and light commercial vehicle tyres having signed an exclusive distribution agreement.
Continue Reading