Nexen gearing up for greater European presence
A lot has been going on at Nexen this year. Much of this activity has been taking place within the European market. And more still was going on during the weeks before, during and after the Essen Show. Less than two weeks before the exhibition opened the company highlighted its recent progress with first quarter results punching above the company’s weight. During the exhibition the company was ostensibly there to display examples from its range and launch three new products – the N’blue HD Plus, Winguard SnowG and Winguard WT1(see textbox for more about what was actually presented in Essen). But it quickly transpired that there is more than this going on.
Continue ReadingNexen Tire signs Czech plant deal, ups investment to $1.17 billion
Following Tyres & Accessories’ reporting of Nexen Tire Corp’s decision to build a greenfield tyre production plant in the Czech Republic back in March 2014, the company has signed a deal with the Czech government. On 27 June the Korean Yonhap news agency reported that tyre company negotiated a 1.2 trillion won (US$1.17 billion) to build the factory. The specific number here is significant because the details issued to T&A in March only referred to investment of $800 million dollars.
Continue ReadingMaxxis/Cheng Shin investing $500 million in tyre factory construction and expansion
Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co. Ltd. (the parent company of Maxxis International) is investing over US$500 million in building new plants in Indonesia and Taiwan as well as expanding three existing plants in China.
Continue ReadingTIA board elects Formanek as secretary; Wolfe as treasurer
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) recently elected Tom Formanek as its new board secretary at its biannual meeting held 18-20 June 2014. He will begin his one-year term as secretary on 3 November. After that year, he will proceed as vice president, then president, then past president; all of these positions are for one-year terms.
Continue ReadingToyo concept tyre hints at future direction
Toyo Tires has released an image of what it calls a ‘design study’ from its Japanese studios. Showcasing the possible future direction of its Proxes UHP range the tyre features an all-weather silica compound.
Continue ReadingTIA opposes Chinese import tariffs
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) is opposing the International Trade Commission (ITC) that would limit the import of Chinese-made passenger and light truck tyres into the US. TIA previously opposed a similar measure in 2009. According to a statement published today, the association “feels strongly that this measure, despite being well-intentioned, would not help in the preservation of manufacturing jobs, and would be harmful to consumers, as these tyres are often an affordable solution to those drivers with limited budgets. However, the association also reiterates its long-standing position that all tyres - regardless of country of origin - must be held to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.”
Continue ReadingThe Genesis of Zenises
Mid-way through the Essen Show, the people behind one of the largest plots in hall three (home to the Infinity, Westlake and Linglong brands) announced that they are changing their corporate identity. And while this did mean the unveiling of a Zenises logo and a new range of Z branded tyres, speaking to chief executive officer Harjeev Kandhari reveals that the concept goes far further than this.
Continue ReadingCITExpo adds fourth hall in bid to become largest Far Eastern tyre trade fair
When the twelfth China International Tire Expo (CITExpo) kicks off on 10, 11 and 12 September 2014 the organiser (Reliable International Exhibition Services Co, Ltd.) hopes to be able to claim the title of “largest Far Eastern tyre trade show”. And in order to this the company is increasing available floor space by some 20 per cent.
Continue ReadingToyo opens China railway car parts plant JV
Toyo has opened its new joint venture for the manufacture and distribution of parts for railway vehicles in China. Wuxi Toyo Meifeng Rubber Products Manufacturing Co, Ltd (TMW) was established through a business partnership with Wuxi Meifeng Rubber Products Manufacturing Co, Ltd (or Wuxi Rubber), which has strengths in technology and Chinese railway parts sales. Meanwhile Toyo has developed and manufactured air springs and anti-vibration rubber components for the comfort and safety of railway vehicles for over 50 years, supplying these products primarily in Japan.
Continue ReadingCooper plans Ohio technical centre to supplement Melksham facility
Cooper has formally announced its plans for a $35.5 million Global Technical Center in Findlay, Ohio, Tire Review reports. Located at the tyre-maker’s headquarters the new tech centre will occupy the same building as the company’s North America Technical Center (NATC). Expected to be operational by the end of the year, the GTC will supplement the tyre-maker’s regional tech centres around the world, including its Asia Technical Center in Kunshan, China, its European Technical Center in Melksham, England, and its NATC, on site.
Continue ReadingHankook scales back production, sets record inventory glut
Hankook has slowed its production in response to amassing a record inventory glut. Seoul’s Yonhap News Agency reports that the manufacturer has 660,000 unsold tyres, or 8.5 per cent of its monthly 7.75 million production capacity. The agency quotes an unnamed Hankook source as saying that the growth in demand expected after March had failed to materialise, leading to the surplus.
Continue ReadingKumho requests funding for US plant
Kumho has confirmed that it is moving forward on its plans for a plant in the US, as Tire Review reports the Korean manufacturer has made a request for funding. Yonhap News Agency reported a Kumho official confirmed that a funding request has been made with banks for the Macon-Bibb, Georgia location. The official however hinted […]
Continue ReadingStarco receives Väderstad OEM certification
Swedish agricultural implement manufacturer Väderstad has recently added Starco to its portfolio of certified strategic suppliers. In common with other certification processes completed by Starco in recent years, the Väderstad certification began with a comprehensive audit of the most vital aspects of Starco’s product and service, including quality, product variance, delivery on-time, cost, and service factors such as purchasing, spare parts, service quality and logistics. The audit also included two focus areas of importance to Väderstad; delivery precision and production lead time. Starco shares that it scored top points in the focus areas of quality and delivery.
Continue ReadingTriangle takes westward steps
China-based Triangle Group Co. Ltd. may already be the world’s 15th largest tyre manufacturer, according to Tyres & Accessories’ latest global tyre manufacturer ranking, but it is clear that the company is intending to go far further than this. Rhetoric to this effect is not uncommon amongst Far Eastern businesses, but as is always the case, actions speak louder than words. With its latest appearance in Essen Triangle has begun fleshing out its plans to take the company from being a Chinese manufacturer with export sales to being a large international manufacturer with global reach.
Continue ReadingFalken Tire Corp to phase out Ohtsu truck tyres in USA
Falken Tire Corp., a unit of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., will phase out the Ohtsu brand name for commercial tyres in the US market, Tire Review reports. The company will re-introduce it to the market as an associate brand for its passenger and light truck tyre lines. US distribution of Ohtsu CV tyres, a fellow Sumitomo brand, was brought under the control of Falken Tire Corp. in 2009.
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