Qingdao Diamond managing director Werner Portugal dies
Hangzhou ZhongCe Rubber has reported the tragic death of Werner Portugal, founder and managing director of Qingdao Diamond Tire Ltd. Details are still unclear, however it appears that Mr. Portugal was killed in an accident in China on 22 June. The tyre maker expresses its sympathies at the painful loss experienced by Mr. Portugal’s family, friends and colleagues.
Continue ReadingHankook to supply Daimler, hints at further football commitments
Germany’s Handelsblatt has reported Hankook’s “attack” on rival Continental. In an article published 22 June, the financial daily shares that the Korean tyre maker has been approved by Daimler for original equipment passenger car tyre supply, and it opines that Hankook is “increasingly proving itself an aggressive challenger to European market leader Continental.”
Continue ReadingMichelin online guide tackles the fundamentals of labelling
To help truck, bus and coach fleets get to grips with the new EC/1222/2009 regulation on tyre labelling, Michelin has launched a dedicated tyre labelling information module on its UK website. The tyre maker says the info given at http://www.michelinonline.co.uk/trucktyrelabelling/ explains everything fleet operators need to know about the legislation that comes into force on 1 November 2012, including why it is being introduced, what tyres it covers, an overview of the different rating criteria and what benefits it offers fleets. It also notes that the label is not the be all and end all when it comes to choosing the right tyre.
Continue ReadingHankook launches ‘Olympic’ advertising campaign
To coincide with the London Olympics, Hankook Tyre UK is launching a new outdoor advertising campaign. The ads will be positioned in key locations in central London, including Cromwell Road, North Circular Road, Whitechapel Road, York Road and the Chiswick Roundabout, and will run until mid-September – a timeframe covering the entire Olympic Games. Hankook anticipates the location of the ads will expose thousands of games visitors to its ‘Be One with It’ campaign, an advertising series the tyre maker describes as “an important pillar” of its marketing strategy.
Continue ReadingHillhead sees 10% visitor growth
A total of more than 17,000 visitors attended Hillhead 2012 compared with 15,500 in 2010, the organisers of the exhibition have announced. Throughout the three days of the show they experienced more live demonstrations and new plant and equipment than ever before, presented by a record 459 exhibitors. Dates for Hillhead 2014 will be announced shortly.
Continue ReadingNew sales manager for Cooper Tire France
Hubert Plouchart has joined the French subsidiary of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe. Holding a BTS in Management and a Masters in Business and Marketing from ESSEC, Plouchart was formerly head of National Sales of the glass repair department at Speedy France.
Continue ReadingA new era dawning, says Lanxess
One thing made clear for Lanxess at this year’s Reifen show is that a new era is dawning upon the tyre sector. The specialty chemicals manufacturer noted the high profile enjoyed by green tyres, particularly those aimed at meeting the requirements of the European tyre label.
Continue ReadingColoured tyres centre stage for Kama at Reifen
Russian tyre maker Nizhnekamskshina says that if demand for the coloured tyres it presented at Reifen 2012 is sufficient, it will begin commercial manufacture of the products. The producer of the Kama brand presented its Viatti Strada Asimmetrico tyres in white, red, green and blue. At present the coloured tyres are strictly a limited edition item.
Continue ReadingGilbert takes on US commercial sales at Kumho
Kumho Tire U.S.A. has appointed Ron Gilbert its new director of Commercial Tire Sales. In his new position, Gilbert will head up the tyre maker’s truck and bus radial sector.
Continue ReadingHawkins to lead Titan Mining Services
Titan International has named Paul Hawkins the new head of its subsidiary Titan Mining Services. Hawkins, who previously served in OTR sales and production at Titan Tire Corporation, will report directly to Titan International CEO Maurice Taylor in his new role. “Paul understands the complete range of products and what needs to be done as Titan expands into this new venture,” commented Taylor upon announcing Hawkins’ appointment.
Continue ReadingMay figures show continued downward trend in Europe
Market figures released by Pirelli yesterday show Europe continues to be at home to lackluster tyre sales. According to the Italian manufacturer’s data, original equipment passenger car tyre market volumes in May 2012 declined 13 per cent year-on-year, while the replacement segment experienced a ten per cent year-on-year drop. Year to date, volumes in the original equipment and replacement markets have declined seven per cent and 13 per cent respectively. Pirelli’s May figures support data released by Michelin on 13 June; the French tyre maker reported that Europe’s original equipment passenger car tyre market sank 12.2 per cent during May, while the replacement market declined 6.8 per cent.
Continue ReadingConti campaign aimed at curbing road rage stress
After studying 2,000 drivers, Continental Tyres drew the conclusion that half of all motorists no longer enjoy driving – and a key reason for this lack of love is the threat of road rage. The study also revealed that around 15 per cent of those surveyed – a number representing five million motorists – have got out of their car to confront another driver.
Continue ReadingOlympic debut for Michelin “communicating” tyre
For the 30th Olympic Games, to be held in London from 27 July to 12 August, Michelin is unveiling its latest innovation - the “communicating" tyre. By combining a tyre pressure monitoring system and radio frequency identification chips, the tyre maker is enabling public transport operators in London to enhance the safety of the tyres fitted on their buses, thereby immediately improving the mobility of both vehicles and transport users.
Continue ReadingToyo announces Diver-Tech reorganisation
Toyo Tire & Rubber reports it will make changes to its business structure as of 1 January 2013. On that date, the development, manufacture and sales of railway vehicle parts, OA equipment parts, industrial, construction and waterproof materials products will be consolidated into the Toyo Chemical/Industrial Products Sales Corporation. This consolidation will take place in order to optimise management resources in the company’s Diver-Tech business segment, Toyo says. The company, whose name will change on 1 January to “Toyo Chemical Products/Industrial Co., Ltd”, will be operated as a new company which will oversee this integrated business in the Toyo Group.
Continue ReadingChinese tyremakers headed for consolidation?
While falling demand for truck and bus radials is putting pressure on sales of premium and import brands alike, the number of factories and the amounts of tyres each are producing continue to proliferate. Tyres & Accessories recently met with several companies in the same boat at the recent Reifen Show in Essen Germany in June. While the consensus agreed in general terms about the decline in truck tyre demand across Europe as a whole, clearly not everyone’s experience is the same and there could be key strategic reasons why production output seems to carry on regardless.
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