News
Yokohama Tire names new IT VP
Yokohama Tire Corporation has a new vice president of Information Technology. Pavan Desaneni succeeds Wasi Ahmed in this capacity and will report to Tom Masuguchi, executive vice president and chief financial officer of the tyre maker’s North American business.
Faster & less wasteful: Prinx Chengshan’s Thailand plant
The tyre plant that Prinx Chengshan is building in Thailand is expected to enter operation next year, and the tyre maker reports that it will extensively use intelligent manufacturing systems to achieve greatly enhanced efficiencies. It says production efficiency will be increased by 20 per cent in the new plant. The production cycle itself will be shortened by 20 per cent, work efficiency increased by 40 per cent and raw material wastage reduced by 80 per cent.
Sumitomo Rubber using AI to increase whole-life tyre performance
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. has developed a new technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to estimate the properties of the rubber used in its tyres and also detect the structural changes that occur during use. It calls this technology ‘Tyre Leap AI Analysis’.
Global CCD wheel alignment business to grow 4.2% CAGR 2017-2026
New research suggests that the volume of sales of Charged Coupled Device (CCD) wheel aligners will “remain robust” in the decade between 2017 and 2026. Specifically, the Fact MR report states that the Global CCD Wheel alignment business will grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.2 per cent in the period between 2017 and 2026. To put this into context, another report published by Verified, suggests that the global automotive wheel alignment system market was valued at $388.6 Million in 2018 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.47 per cent to reach $481.4 Million by 2026.
Absolute Alignment promotes new tyre profiler
Absolute Alignment, which describes itself as the UK’s leading supplier of wheel alignment equipment, has introduced a new drive-over tyre profiler which instantly assesses tyre wear as vehicles enter the workshop.
Pirelli responds to RCS/Blackstone rumours
Pirelli has responded to "recent press rumours". It states that it "has never sent any communication to the Board of Directors of RCS in relation to the Blackstone situation."
Hamaton releases new graphite valve
Hamaton has expanded the valve stem range for its EU-Pro Hybrid 3.5 to include a graphite version. The new Graphite Clamp-In valve boasts the same features and benefits as its alloy and black counterparts.
Millennial car purchase intent on the rise in Europe
The global automotive industry is currently facing serious economic headwinds and declining sales, leaving industry players wondering if millennials—who currently make up one-third of the world’s population—will drive the industry forward or break from past generations on vehicle ownership. The Millennials and Auto Trends Report released by Duff & Phelps, the global advisor that protects, restores and maximises value for clients, shows that concerns that millennials are less interested in car ownership are greatly overstated and rooted in misconceptions about millennial car-buying patterns.
State funding will help UK become lead in driverless vehicle testing, not technology
The UK government’s £300 million-odd funding for connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) projects is unlikely to establish the country as a leader in CAV technology. However, it is well positioned to become a global hub for CAV testing and regulatory development, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
East European trailer demand downgraded due to Turkey instability
Demand for trailers grew by 4.4 per cent in Eastern Europe in 2018, according to the latest research released by Clear. The market has grown every year for the last six years, but that growth has been quite moderate. Nevertheless, trailer sales in 2018 were the third highest on record, only surpassed in 2007 and 2008. The forecast for 2023 is that registrations of new trailers will be heading towards an all-time record.
NMA award for Prince Charles Pirelli visit photo
A photo snapped of Prince Charles visiting the Pirelli tyre plant in Carlisle has been named Regional/Local Newspaper Rota Photo of the Year in News Media Association’s Royal Rota Photography Competition 2019. Stuart Walker took the photo for the News & Star during the Prince of Wales’ visit to the Carlisle factory in April.
Murfitts Industries buys Sapphire Energy Recovery
Murfitts Industries has acquired the tyre collection business of Sapphire Energy Recovery, part of Tarmac, the UK’s leading sustainable building materials and construction solutions company. Murfitts Industries reports that the company will “continue to invest and grow its end-of-life tyre recycling capabilities in the UK”.
Sailun celebrates China drifting victory
The three days of drifting excitement that was the China Drifting Cup Grand Prix (DCGP) came to an end on 13 October, with the Sailun Drift Team crowned champion of the Singles, Drift-Chase and the Manufacturer's Cup categories. Sailun Group says these results highlight the combined performance of the vehicles, drivers' capabilities and the “fine-tuned product design” of the second-generation Sailun FG1 race tyre.
Giti Tire presents new tyre for electric cars
Giti Tire wasn’t only present at last month’s BMW Berlin Marathon as official Main Sponsor, the event was also the location chosen for the global premiere of a new tyre specifically developed for electric vehicles. The tyre maker shares that the GitiSynergyE2 will be available in some markets from spring 2020.
New Lanxess vulcanisation accelerator
A new product that specialty chemicals company Lanxess will soon trial with customers promises sufficient time for full cross-linking, even at high temperatures. The VP Vulkacit TZ vulcanisation accelerator is a sulfenamide based on aromatic amines and is suitable for all types of rubber. Lanxess foresees its use in the production of tyres and technical rubber goods.