Avon launches AV11 van tyre
Avon Tyres has launched the latest in its range of van tyres, the AV11, available now in sizes 215/60R16 C, 205/65R16 C, 215/65R16 C and 235/65R16 C. Standing alongside the AV9, Avon says the new tyre will have an expanded fitment range later in 2012.
Continue ReadingSuspended sentence for illegal tyre storage, export
A Chesterfield man received a suspended prison sentence after illegally storing thousands of tyres and transporting some of them to Vietnam. Andrew Revell appeared at Derby Crown Court on 27 January and admitted five charges in relation to an illegal waste operation called Revco Recycling Limited, which he ran from a unit on the former GKN site in Sheepsbridge, Chesterfield. The case was brought against Revell by the Environment Agency, and the 50-year old was sentenced to a 12 month prison sentence suspended for two years on each of the five charges, ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay full court costs of £9,578.75.
Continue ReadingLanxess expands India production, opens head office
It’s been almost two years since Lanxess’ Jhagadia production site in India began supplying antioxidants to tyre industry customers, and now the range of products manufactured there has been expanded. Lanxess subsidiary Rhein Chemie has established a facility in Jhagadia for the production of the pre-dispersed rubber additive Rhenogran and the environmentally-friendly release agent Rhenodiv in Jhagadia. The plant was formerly located in Madurai, in India’s Tamil Nadu state, and is one of three new units being set up in Jhagadia. In total, Lanxess has invested more than 70 million euros there and created 300 new jobs. Jhagadia is Lanxess’ second largest production site in India after its site in Nagda in Madhya Pradesh state, and covers an area of 18-hectares.
Continue ReadingNDI appoints Australian AP+ distributor
Denmark’s Nordisk Dæk Import A/S (NDI), developer and manufacturer of the AP Wheels range, has appointed a new exclusive Australian distributor for its AP+ Dual wheels line-up. As of January 2012 Armstrong Tyres has taken on this role; the company, which is based in the state of Victoria, has been active in the agricultural sector for more than 65 years and supplies tyre and wheel combination for a variety of farm-related applications.
Continue ReadingFarmers making tracks to tyre alternative
We’re more accustomed to seeing them on the battlefield than down on the farm, but tracked vehicles are said to be gaining popularity on agricultural vehicles. Farmers Weekly reports they are increasingly finding a place in conditions such as damp fields where tyres would struggle.
Continue ReadingGoodway launches GIIB housemark
Malaysian retreading specialist Goodway Rubber Industries is drawing its five product brands together under a new housemark, GIIB. Pronounced ‘gheeb’, this new ‘umbrella’ brand name is intended to represent a new phase in Goodway’s growth and business direction; the company says the GIIB name unifies the brands and presents customers with a more dynamic message.
Continue ReadingA real winter warmer?
After two successive cold winters (2009 and 2010) a lot was hanging on a frosty conclusion to 2011. While only five years ago winter tyre sales barely registered at less than 1 per cent UK market share, by the end of the opening months of 2011 various sources were reporting that the market had swollen to around 450,000 units, doubling and even tripling some wholesalers’ stock forecasts.
Continue ReadingAeolus, Antyre, Profil, Treadsetters and Uniroyal all at Brityrex 2012
Brityrex International 2012 in Manchester later this year will feature exhibits from Aeolus, Antyre, Profil, Treadsetters and Uniroyal in addition to those that have already committed to bring a presence to the show. According to the show organisers ECI International, the latest names to confirm their attendance include: Uniroyal Truck Tyres, the Chinese manufactured brands Aeolus and Antyre, UK-based international wholesaler Treadsetters and Profil Tyres, the Polish car tyre retreader. They join other names such as Infinity Tyres, Westlake, Matador, Kleber agricultural and Cooper 4x4.
Continue ReadingTurkish production costs too high, comments Goodyear’s Rzonzef
Goodyear has been present in Turkey for half a century now, however the tyre maker hints it may need a little persuasion to maintain its production facilities there. In an interview with Istanbul-based daily Hürriyet, Goodyear’s EMEA Commercial Business Unit vice-president Michel Rzonzef said the cost of tyre production in Turkey is too high despite a weakening of the Turkish lira’s value; this is creating an impediment to new tyre investments.
Continue ReadingLanxess renames new headquarters building
Lanxess may still a year away from moving into its new home, yet anybody passing by the future site of the company’s global headquarters in Cologne, Germany will be left with no doubt as to whose digs it is. The specialty chemicals company has renamed the former Lufthansa building, which is currently undergoing renovations ahead of the arrival of Lanxess’ employees in the second half of 2013, and from now on it will be known as the Lanxess Tower. The name was chosen from more than 600 staff suggestions.
Continue ReadingAnalysts: Schaeffler refinancing its debt is a positive for Conti
Schaeffler AG, which currently controls what is effectively a 60 per cent stake in Conti, has announced plans for new credit worth around 8 billion euros. In addition to this refinancing, the company announced plans to issue 2 billion euros of bonds. According to financial analysts at Morgan Stanley, this all comes around the same time as ratings agencies Stand & Poor’s and Moody's are planning to publish official credit ratings. And all follows Schaeffler’s decision to change its legal form into AG back in September 2011 in order to gain better access to capital markets.
Continue ReadingMichelin shrinks Le Mans tyre for DeltaWing
On 27 January Michelin unveiled the first set of specially designed race tyres for the Project 56 DeltaWing vehicle that will compete in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. And the tyre maker says that just one look at the tyres, and their “unique” size, makes the radical nature of the US group’s prototype design obvious.
Continue ReadingKeyuan SBS line enters production
China’s Keyuan Petrochemicals has announced that one of the production lines for Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) at its new plant in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, has commenced commercial production. Keyuan conducted tests on the line in the final quarter of last year following completion of its new 70,000 tonne SBS production facility in September 2011. The first line entered commercial production in December and the company says that during the quarter it produced 2,733 tonnes and sold 2,623 tonnes of the substance used by tyre makers.
Continue ReadingKink issue prompts Toyo US recall
Toyo Tire USA has issued a recall of more than 70,000 Toyo Extensa A/S tyre sold in North America between 20 September 2009 and 6 November 2010. In a recall notice submitted to the US-based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Toyo reported that some 225/60R16 97T sized Extensa tyres may have “been produced with a kink in the bead area” near the rim that could under certain circumstances eventually lead to a crack developing there. Thus a risk of tyre failure exists and Toyo says it will notify owners and replace tyres free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on 2 February, and has also been extended to Canada.
Continue ReadingGoodyear names new head of North American Tire communications, PR
As of 6 February, Goodyear Tire & Rubber will have a new vice-president of public relations and communications for its for its North American Tire business. Christopher Curran brings some 20 years in the communications and public relations sector with him into his new role with the tyre maker. Most recently he held the position of director of communications and issues management for The ServiceMaster Company, the world’s largest residential and commercial services network, and also has served in communications roles in the consumer products and health care industries. Curran replaces Ed Markey, who was named Goodyear vice president of corporate communications in March, 2011.
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