TIA elects John Evankovich as secretary
At its AGM, between 22-24 June 2016, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) board of directors elected John Evankovich as its new secretary. He will begin his one-year term as secretary on 31 October 2016. After that year, he will proceed as vice president, then president, then past president; all of these positions are for one-year terms.
Continue ReadingChinese tyres drive 12% increase in imports into India
Tyre imports into India grew 12 per cent in the 2016 financial year, reports ICRA. The India-based ratings agency, which is majority owned by Moody’s Investor Service, comments that this growth was driven by an “unabated flow of cheaper Chinese tyres in the truck and bus radial, passenger vehicle and two-wheeler segments.” The 12 per cent increase witnessed in the 12 months to 31 March 2016 followed a 17 per cent rise in imports the previous year.
Continue ReadingNew location, more floorspace – CITExpo even more attractive in 2016
This year the China International Tire Expo returns to Shanghai for the 14th time, and 2016 is a significant year for the show as it represents the start of a new era.Instead of taking place at the Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Centre, where it has been held for the past decade, on 26 September CITExpo – arguably China’s most significant tyre industry fair – will open its doors at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center (SWEECC). The change of venue offers a substantial increase in available exhibitor floorspace, and visitors will benefit from modern, attractive facilities and easier transport connections.
Continue ReadingETRA: tyre rubber cancer claims unsupported
The European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA) has launched a campaign to refute allegations about the impact of tyre rubber granulate used in sports fields. In recent years, it says, unfounded claims have been made that recycled tyre rubber can harm those coming into contact with it while playing sports - in particular, those in goalkeeping roles. However, despite two decades of research into the subject funded by industry, governments and public interest groups, “there is no empirical research that links tyre rubber to cancer”, ETRA asserts.
Continue ReadingBridgestone seeks NHTSA inconsequential noncompliance decision
In the USA, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has petitioned the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) for an inconsequential noncompliance decision relating to Bridgestone VSB heavy-duty radial truck tyres.
Continue ReadingDuraturn continues developing business in UK
Reifen 2016 at the end of May marked the first time Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum (Group) Rubber Co., Ltd., (Yanchang Rubber) has taken a stand at Europe’s leading tyre fair. The company invested in a significantly sized booth and Ms Zhang Dongyang, the managing director of Yanchang Rubber, led her international team into the event in the mid-German city of Essen, highlighting that the company’s European development will be conducted in line with a clear localization strategy
Continue ReadingNexen Tire continues GCSI winning streak
For the seventh year in a row, Nexen Tire has topped the tyre category in Global Customer Satisfaction Competency Index (GCSI), a survey carried out by the Global Management Association in Korea under the supervision of Japan’s JMA Consultants. The tyre maker was honoured for this result at a ceremony in Beijing on 23 June, with Yang Chang-soo, president of Nexen Tire Qingdao, accepting the official award certificate on behalf of Nexen Tire.
Continue ReadingAutomechanika motors into Birmingham
New show presents strong start, builds platform for Reifen UK in 2017 and beyond While the Automechanika name is well-known in the tyre and wider aftermarket business, the event hadn’t been held in the UK until this year. Between 6 and 8 June some 12,000 visitors attended the event at the NEC in Birmingham, viewing […]
Continue ReadingTBR imports into India soar to meet rising demand
Indias Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association reports that imports of truck and bus radials into the country increased 57 per cent year-on-year to 280,000 units in April and May 2016. The 150,000 tyres imported in May alone accounted for almost 40 per cent of Indias replacement market demand, according to association figures.
Continue ReadingFirst Stop tyre retail network to become a JV in Germany
Just over a month after sharing details of growth plans for its First Stop network in the UK, Bridgestone has announced a major change in its German First Stop network. Pending approval from the relevant authorities, Pneuhage, one of the country’s largest independent tyre retailers, will acquire a 75 per cent share in a joint venture with Bridgestone Deutschland. The intention is for First Stop in Germany and its subsidiaries – retail outlets, retreading operation and partner network – to be operated by this joint venture.
Continue ReadingStarco launches new e-commerce platform in Poland
Starco is releasing its new e-commerce platform for Polish aftermarket customers. Despite the initial aftermarket focus, the ambition is to develop functionalities which meet the needs of the original equipment manufacturers and improve the overall customer experience. The first release will include all the shop functionalities with which customers have become acquainted from the current version, as well as a selection of new features as well. As a result of the project, Starco’s shop and website have been merged into one Polish language entity.
Continue ReadingUK car manufacturing up a quarter in May
UK car manufacturing output rose by a quarter in May, according to new figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. SMMT reports that 150,802 cars were built in the month, a 26.4 per cent jump compared with May last year. Export growth outpaced domestic orientated output, with the sectors reporting 27.3 […]
Continue ReadingHankook signs three-year global Real Madrid partnership
Hankook has signed a global partnership contract with Real Madrid CF. The contract starts from July 2016 and is set to last three seasons. By virtue of the deal, Hankook aims to add some 450 million Real Madrid fans from different global markets such as the Asian Pacific region including China, Latin America, and of course Europe. As well as perimeter advertising during all home games at the football club’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium, Hankook will have access to a range of further global marketing rights.
Continue ReadingOmni United buys A to Z Tire in US
Omni United has purchased Texas-based A to Z Tire & Battery, Inc – Omni’s second US-based distribution acquisition. Now the focus is on consolidating the distribution businesses (A to Z Tire and the previously acquired Interstate Tire Distributor) into a single unit under a new brand identity. No further details of what brand and when this will take place have been released.
Continue ReadingVMI awarded damages in Shuangjun case
The Chinese Intellectual Property Court has upheld VMI’s claims against Shuangjun Plastic and Rubber Machinery Ltd. and awarded the full compensation requested by VMI to be paid by Shuangjun. The Chinese Patent Management Bureau ruled that Shuangjun was guilty of patent infringement against VMI’s patent for its tyre building drum back in 2015.
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