Latest ATG ranges reflect significant R&D investment
At Reifen 2012, the Alliance Tire Group presented a new off-road tyre it says represents an innovative approach to dual-tyre configuration for excavators. Called the 528 Dual Master, the new product solves the problem of stones becoming embedded between double tyres. It does this through the use of a unique sidewall construction that enables close contact between the two tyres. “There is normally a rubber spacer between the tyres, but stones nevertheless get between the tyres and cause punctures,” explained ATG marketing communications manager Tal Rappoport to Tyres & Accessories. “The 528 Dual Master is the first tyre model for excavators that doesn’t require this spacer, and stones therefore can’t get penetrate this space.
Continue ReadingPirelli Egypt workers gain presidential ear
A sit-in involving some three hundred workers from Pirelli’s factory in Alexandria, Egypt, ended after assurances were made that their grievances would be presented to Egypt’s newly sworn in President, Mohamed Morsi. The Egypt Independent shares that the workers staged the sit-in in front of the presidential palace in Cairo on 5 July to protest against alleged violations of labour laws.
Continue ReadingVDB awarded 1000th AEO certificate
Dutch enterprises involved in international trade and commerce have the option of applying for Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status with the Netherlands customs agency. The advantages of AEO status include being subjected to fewer physical inspections and document checks, priority treatment of consignments if selected for control – benefits that save time. AEO certificate companies are also viewed as reliable business partners.
Continue ReadingNew products from SD International at CITExpo 2012
SD International reports that it is showcasing its full product portfolio and introducing several new tyres (including the firm’s latest winter ranges in both the Pace and Zeta brands) at CITExpo 2012. The company will also be launching its all-new Briland range for which it holds global distribution rights.
Continue ReadingTrayal, Belshina enter ‘production swap’ agreement
Trayal may have sold its passenger car tyre operations and one of its two factories in Kruševac to Cooper Tire & Rubber, but it nevertheless appears to be making a comeback into the segment. Bloomberg reports that the Serbian company has entered into a cooperative agreement with Belarus-based Belshina JSC, and that under the terms of the agreement Trayal brand passenger car tyres will be produced using Trayal-sourced technology at Belshina’s Bobruisk plant. In addition, Belshina brand industrial tyres will be produced at Trayal’s heavy tyre factory in Kruševac. The tyres will mainly be sold on the Russian, Ukrainian and Belarus markets, Bloomberg writes.
Continue ReadingMarangoni celebrates its “Italian-ness” in new ad campaign
Marangoni Tyre states it is the only tyre brand to be exclusively manufactured in Italy, and the company is emphasising this fact in a new advertising campaign. The new "A unique journey, 100% made in Italy" campaign highlights the “Italian-ness” of Marangoni Tyre’s passenger car, light commercial vehicle and 4x4 tyres, a range that is conceived designed, tested and made at the company’s plant in Anagni, near Rome, and also produced on Marangoni’s MTM production line in its Rovereto plant.
Continue ReadingBridgestone to increase TBR capacity in Poland
Production capacity at Bridgestone’s Polish subsidiary, Bridgestone Stargard Sp. z o.o., is to be increased by more than 50 per cent. Bridgestone says the decision has been made to invest approximately 120 million euros in the Stargard truck and bus radial factory to give it an additional 1,350 tyres per day capacity, bringing total daily capacity to 3,750 tyres. The expansion is expected to be complete during the second half of 2014.
Continue ReadingF1 tyre decision could have backfired, says Pirelli’s Hembery
Pirelli’s supply to Formula One this year has not been without the occasional controversy – Michael Schumacher’s “raw eggs” comment being just one example – but there is no arguing that it’s raised the profile of tyres within the sport. Evidence of their prominent role was seen today by those thumbing through The Sun, who would have read the headline that the “real F1 heroes are…tyre boffins.”
Continue ReadingStarco establishes presence in Africa
The Starco Group reports it has established a new entity in South Africa. The Danish-based company shares that a partnership agreement was signed in July with Mac & Tirecity – a major South African distributor that operates three strategically-located distribution centres in the region.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Dunlop releases ‘2.0’ fuel calculator
An upgraded version of the free internet fuel saving calculator Goodyear Dunlop first launched in February 2012 is now available. Among the improvements in the new 2.0 release are EU tyre label grades, updated data, more truck configurations and additional languages.
Continue ReadingGiTi Tire holds 2012 Dealer Conference at Reifen 2012
Immediately preceding the Reifen 2012 show at which its GT Radial brand had an impressive Hall Three stand, GiTi Tire held its Dealer Conference at which future growth plans were discussed for the GiTi Group’s full portfolio of products. Managing director Europe, Richard Lyons said that its European operation will continue to grow profitability in 2012 and 2013 by gaining volume share in mature markets and achieving breakthroughs in emerging countries. Speaking at the GiTi Dealer Conference at Reifen 2012, Lyons stated that these goals would be achieved in unprecedented economic times by the continued introduction of high quality products with premium performance, a first-class level of service and an improved value-proposition.
Continue ReadingPirelli talks labelling, Cyber Fleet at Reifen 2012
Pirelli unveiled its new Cinturato P7 Blue passenger car tyre on the first day of Reifen 2012 – an event that is significant as it is the first product to reach European markets with A ratings for both wet grip and rolling resistance. The tyre achieved the AA rating in size 235/45 R17, and is an evolution of the company’s Cinturato P7 product. Pirelli also demonstrated its Cyber Fleet truck sensors, currently trialling on a fleet of 13 HGVs, in real time. Responding to Tyres & Accessories’ questions, Pirelli representatives said that the P7 Blue achieves the improved characteristics over the base P7 model through use of a new compound and several subtle changes to the tread pattern, including “optimisation of the shoulder”. The base compound of the tyre, underneath the tread, was also credited for helping the P7 Blue attain it’s A ratings.
Continue ReadingNokian’s minimalist Reifen stand strikes premium pose
The inventor of the winter tyre, Finland’s Nokian Tyres had a stand in Hall Three that was striking for its minimalist, expressionistic Nordic feel… and because it had only one tyre model displayed on its stand. The tyre it did show was, as it would have to be, special: the Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tyre (255/35R20 97 T XL) was fitted to Nokian’s world record-setting modified Audi RS-6, driven by the company’s test driver Janne Laitinen, which travelled at 331,610km/h on the Gulf of Bothnia in Oulu, Finland. The tyre also made history in 2012 on the E-RA electric car built by students at the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences that Laitinen also drove at record ice speeds – 252.09 km/h. Despite these feats, the tyre is the regular production model, sold mainly across the Nordic region and Russia, where the brand is number one in terms of “recognition and appreciation”.
Continue ReadingNankang introduces new products and ‘brand’ new chapter at Reifen
On its Hall Three stand and during an evening event at Essen’s central Mövenpick Hotel, Nankang unveiled its new logo at Reifen 2012 alongside two new products. The Taiwanese company’s staff also presented the array of new lines it has recently introduced, in addition to previewing its latest asymmetric tyre, the AS-2, which is in the “final evaluation” stage of its development. Manufactured in Taiwan (“14,000 pieces per day”) and China (“25,000 pieces per day”), Nankang turned over 461 million euros in 2011, and with 40 per cent of its sales, Nankang said that Europe is by far its biggest market (comparing favourably with 18 per cent in North America and 15 per cent in Asia). The company also presented its comparative sales figures in Europe over the past five years, which showed a dip from 120 million euros in 2007 to a nadir of 97 million in 2009 – having ascended significantly in 2010, the figure now stands at 184 million euros in 2011. The company also noted the growing demand for its winter tyres in Europe, which has climbed from 0.336 million in 2008 to 1.215 million in 2011. It is, according to the company, “the main line we are focusing on.”
Continue ReadingPrivate brands a continued Deldo focus
The growth Deldo reported when Tyres & Accessories visited the wholesaler’s headquarters in Antwerp earlier this year (as covered in our March 2012 issue) has continued throughout the first half of this year, Rutger Veerman related during Reifen 2012. And the international sales and marketing manager said its experiences at the show were equally positive. “We’ve had a good show,” Veerman shared. “We have seen a lot of existing customers, mostly customers from within Europe but also from outside, and we have had contact with a number of new customers. We’ve had interest from places as far away as Australia and New Zealand. We have had a lot of interest and now have plenty to do.”
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