Ferentino tyres, the spiritual children of Marangoni
Following the official opening of the Ferentino tyre factory in Sri Lanka last week, a closer look reveals that the company has even more in common with its European and particularly Italian colleagues than it first appears. As we reported in January 2017, Onyx Group subsidiary Ceylon Steel bought Marangoni’s car tyre radial processes, technological know-how and production line from Marangoni Group subsidiary a few years ago.
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Bridgestone appoints Marko Ibrahim to head USA retail business
Marko Ibrahim is the new president of Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO), the Bridgestone Americas subsidiary responsible for operating a network of more than 2,200 tyre and vehicle service centres across the United States of America. He succeeds Joe Venezia, who led the organisation since 2017 and has stepped down to pursue a leadership role outside of Bridgestone.
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Päivi Leskinen to become Nokian Tyres’ SVP of HR
Nokian Tyres has appointed Päivi Leskinen its senior vice president of Human Resources. Leskinen will begin in this position and joint the Nokian Tyres management team in May 2021 at the latest.
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18th Dakar gold for Goodyear-shod truck team
On Saturday the Kamaz-Master factory team once again achieved a category win in the toughest rally in the world, the Dakar. As well as coming first in the 12-day rally-raid for the 18th time, team members also occupied the other spots on the podium. Official tyre partner Goodyear is thrilled with the result.
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88 per cent of independent garages offer vulnerable MOT customers a pick-up service
As another example of how the way we are doing business nowadays has been changed by the COVID pandemic, a survey carried out by the Independent Garage Association (IGA) has revealed that 88 per cent of independent garages are currently offering an MOT collection and delivery service for clinically extremely vulnerable and self-isolating people.
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$250 million Ferentino tyre factory opens in Sri Lanka
Ferentino Tyre Corporation’s Horana, Sri Lanka tyre factory was officially opened by Sri Lankan president Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on 14 January 2021. The facility was constructed with an investment of US$250 million and can reportedly produce 2.4 million tyres annually. Tyres made at the Ferentino factory will cross a number of sectors including radial car, SUV, bicycle and even three-wheelers. These include a “Mythos” product line reminiscent of the Marangoni passenger car tyre range previously produced in the same place (see below). Of the 2.4 million tyres produced annually at the Ferentino factory in this phase, 80 per cent are destined for export markets. A second phase is scheduled to be completed in March 2022.
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IGA launches new COVID-19 Garage Guide to support independents
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has released the Garage Guide to Working During COVID-19, to help independent garages easily find the guidance they need to support them through the current lockdown.
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Versalis and AGR make tyre-derived product development agreement
Versalis, the Eni-owned elastomer-maker, and AGR, a devulcanization specialist, have signed an agreement to develop products and applications of recycled rubber. According to the two companies, the aim of the November 2020 agreement is to pool their expertise to develop elastomer-based products made from granulated rubber from post-consumer products in order to meet the circular economy needs of manufacturers of tyres and other rubber products.
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February launch for Kenda KM1 sport touring radial
Developed and tested in the USA, the new KM1 radial marks Kenda’s entry into the highly competitive sport touring market. Cambrian Tyres is distributing the range in the UK and describes the KM1 as a tyre that offers riders great all-weather performance at a fantastic price.
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Pirelli: 78 OE approvals for BMW 8 Series
Pirelli shares that its tyres have gained a total of 78 original equipment homologations for the latest versions of the BMW 8 Series Coupe, Gran Coupe, and Cabrio, including M Sport models. These cars ride on bespoke Pirelli P Zero and Cinturato P7 tyres. Depending on model, Pirelli will supply BMW with 18- to 20-inch fitments.
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Sailun boosting Vietnam production to meet demand in Europe & North America
During today’s extraordinary shareholders meeting, its first of 2021, Sailun Group confirmed plans for the third phase of expansion at its wholly-owned Sailun (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. subsidiary. Over a three-year period, the company will invest 3.01 billion yuan (£340.1 million) to equip the site with the capacities to produce 3 million car and light commercial vehicle tyres, one million truck and bus radials, and 50,000 tons of off-the-road tyres per annum.
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GRI supports rubber farming communities with Green X Circle
GRI recently held two outreach events with some of the natural rubber farming communities it works with. The events were held under GRI’s Green X Circle initiative which supports Sri Lanka’s farming communities and the country’s vibrant agricultural industry. Identifying a need for extra-curricular sporting activities and equipment for school children in the area, the company distributed cricket, volleyball and badminton equipment to selected schools in Monaragala, Sri Lanka.
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Mitas introduces 2 new versions of Sport Force+
Mitas has launched new versions of the Sport Force+ in selected sizes. Riders of hypersport motorcycles who are looking for a road-legal tyre for hobby racing can choose the Mitas Sport Force+ EV, while a new racing soft compound is now available in the form of the Mitas Racing Force+ RS.
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Bridgestone restructuring manufacturing footprint, investing in Solutions to create ‘leaner’ company
Outlining Bridgestone Corporation’s Mid-Long Term Business Strategy on 22 December, chief executive officer Shu Ishibashi spoke of the company’s plans through to 2023. The immediate priority has been to implement crisis management measures to address the impact of COVID-19; Bridgestone began implementing these in 2020, and the measures extend into this year. Beyond this, Bridgestone will work to rebuild earning power within the core Tire & Rubber business.
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Bridgestone to offer customised retreads as part of fleet subscription model
Retreading solutions lie at the heart of Bridgestone Corporation’s new Sustainability Business Framework. Announcing details of the framework’s “retread centric model”, chief executive officer Shu Ishibashi shares that the tyre maker plans to utilise tyre monitoring technologies in order to offer customised retreads via a subscription model.
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