From tyres to whiskey: Bushmills shows interest in Michelin’s Ballymena site
As Michelin announced in November 2015, the tyre maker intends to close its Ballymena truck tyre factory in Northern Ireland; the plan is to wind down the facility, which currently employs around 860 people, between now and mid-2018. The stiff drink some plant workers may have needed after hearing the news isn’t the only connection between the Ballymena factory and alcohol – the BBC reports that Bushmills Whiskey has made enquiries about purchasing the site.
Continue ReadingChicago Pneumatic opens new offices in Turkey
Tool and workshop equipment manufacturer Chicago Pneumatic has opened new offices in Turkey. The 300 square metre Customer Center in Istanbul has been set up to better meet the needs of distributors and customers across many industries, and it provides additional space for customer support and service, product and technical training activities, and it also features a fully equipped showroom.
Continue ReadingACEA: European car sales up 9.3% in 2015
ACEA European passenger car registrations figures show the market grew 9.3 per cent year-on-year to 13.71 million units in 2015, helped by a 16.6 per cent year-on-year jump in December. Future growth is not expected to continue at this rate because the market situation is said to be “still evolving”, “risky” and “volatile”. As a result analysts predict 2.5 per cent year-on-year growth during the next month.
Continue ReadingAutodata offers aftermarket data embedding options
Autodata has made its vast catalogue of content available to other aftermarket suppliers for integration within their own solutions, as part of an innovative new offering. Historically, this content has only been available to suppliers in raw data format or directly through Autodata’s own products, including their latest award winning workshop application used by tens of thousands of workshops around the world.
Continue ReadingArisun and Westlake tyres gain SmartWay accreditation
Three Arisun and Westlake brand tyres, which are manufactured by Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd. (ZC Rubber) in China, recently achieved Smartway fuel efficiency accreditation from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Westlake AT566 long haul tyre, Arisun AT570 long haul tyre, Arisun AD778 regional driver tyre all qualified of the low rolling resistance standard.
Continue ReadingDakar 2016 winners used Goodyear tyres
The De Rooy truck team recently won the Dakar 2016 rally truck category, driving on standard Goodyear ORD off-the-road truck tyres. The event, which concluded on Saturday 16 January 2016 covered approximately 9000 kilometres in 13 days on the toughest terrain that Argentina and Bolivia can offer, the Dakar – or the ‘Odyssey’ as it is known – is acknowledged as the world’s toughest race.
Continue ReadingMRF considering European car tyre import options
Not only has leading Indian tyre maker MRF Tyres, launched its MRF Motorsport Tyres Europe operation during Autosport International 2016, the firm is also considering importing its passenger car tyres into Europe in the years to come. While MRF has been exporting to between 60 and 70 countries worldwide for some time now the majority of these are in Asia, with others in the Middle East, Africa and South America. A few speciality products aside, MRF hasn’t really been exporting to Europe before now.
Continue ReadingLeasePlan extends German tyre supply deal with Goodyear Dunlop
Goodyear Dunlop will continue as preferred supplier to LeasePlan in Germany after its agreement with the leasing company was renewed for a further three years. Under the terms of the extended deal, Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany will deliver “tens of thousands” of tyres for fitment on cars, predominantly premium models, belonging to the LeasePlan Deutschland fleet.
Continue ReadingUniroyal truck tyres launch in USA
While the Uniroyal tyre brand is owned by Continental in Europe, in North America the name belongs to the Michelin fold and has been present in the consumer market there for more than 50 years. The existing North American market Uniroyal portfolio of passenger car, SUV and light commercial vehicle tyres is now being joined for the first time by a heavy commercial vehicle tyre range; six new truck tyres have been launched in the US market.
Continue ReadingAlliance to show latest products at FIMA
ATG (Alliance Tire Group), which produces OTR tyres under the Alliance brand, has announced plans to present “numerous tyre innovations at the 2016 FIMA in Saragossa. The new Agristar XL Super Volume Series, specifically developed for high horse power tractors, combines, harvesters, big wagons, spreaders and sprayers, is just one.
Continue ReadingTyrexpo Africa hotel competition
With the opening of Tyrexpo Africa on 8 March 2016, show organiser Singex offering a Pre-Registration Lucky Draw. By registering before 15 January 2016, visitors stand a chance of winning a night’s hotel accommodation at the Garden Court Sandon City Hotel in Johannesburg. The hotel is located is close proximity to the Sandton Convention Centre where the show will be held.
Continue ReadingMichelin website selling tyres directly to consumers in Europe
Michelin will begin selling tyres directly to consumers online for the first time during the first quarter of 2016. The news came in parallel with the launch of the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4, which will be the first tyre to be sold by the company via this method.
Continue ReadingPrison for Goodyear bossnappers
Eight former workers at Goodyear’s Amiens Nord tyre factory in France have been sentenced to nine months in prison and given suspended sentences of 15 months for their roles in the January 2014 ‘bossnapping’ of two Goodyear managers. The workers faced charges of kidnapping and violence in a meeting.
Continue ReadingIranian $200 million tyre factory groundbreaking delayed
Iran’s Sabalan Tyre Co. recently delayed plans to break ground on a $200 million radial tyre plant in Sanandaj, Kordestan province due to bad weather. However, the event is expected to be rescheduled and the project is not expected to be
Continue ReadingLanxess exhibiting ‘Rhenoshape’ tyre curing bladders at TTE
Lanxess Rhein Chemie Additives is presenting its Rhenoshape tyre curing bladders at Tire Technology Expo this February. The products have been developed at the firm’s new production plant in China. According to the company, the Rhenoshape bladders are the result of investment in injection moulding technology and permanently coated bladders, and are the latest product in the company’s portfolio of eco-friendly Rhenodiv tyre release agents, Rhenomark tyre marking inks, and curing bladders.
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