Sibur assets go to Pirelli/Russian Technologies for 222M euros
On July 25 Pirelli, Russian Technologies and Sibur Holding signed an agreement to transfer the former Amtel-Vredestein Kirov passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyre plant to the joint venture formed by Pirelli and Russian Technologies on November 26, 2010. The transfer is to take place before November 2011; the agreement signed on July 25 also entails the transfer of further assets that should lift the joint-venture’s production capacity from seven million units – the Kirov plant’s capacity – to a total of 11 million units by 2014. The transfer of all these assets will take place in exchange for a total consideration of 222 million euros, divided on a pro-quota basis between the partners, with a payment of 55 million euros in 2011 and 167 million euros in 2012.
Continue ReadingLanxess and Triangle sign rubber supply deal
German specialty chemicals company Lanxess and Chinese tyre maker Triangle Group have strengthened their long-term partnership with the signing of a halobutyl rubber supply agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, which was signed at Triangle’s headquarters in Shandong Province by Ron Commander, global head of Lanxess’s butyl rubber business unit, and Lin Bin, senior vice-president of Triangle Tyre, Lanxess will supply Triangle with halobutyl rubbers from 2012 to 2014. Financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.
Continue ReadingConti Automotive names NAFTA communications director
Continental Automotive has appointed Brad Jackson director of communications for the NAFTA region. In his new position, Jackson will join the Marketing and Communications team and report to Kathryn Blackwell, vice-president marketing and communications NAFTA. He will be responsible for overseeing media relations within the region.
Continue ReadingNZ tyre shop tackled over use of All Black name
Major football teams such as Manchester United and Germany’s HSV have gladly taken on tyre makers as sponsorship partners, but unauthorised affiliation is another matter entirely. A tyre shop in Auckland, New Zealand discovered this recently when it fell foul of the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Continue ReadingMichelin and the Mail in map giveway
Starting today, (25 July) the Daily Mail newspaper has teamed up with Michelin to offer readers 10 free UK Regional tourist maps. The first map in the collection is South West England. This will be followed by South East England, East England, East Midlands, West Midlands, Wales, Yorkshire & The Humber, North West England, North East England and finally Scotland.
Continue Reading2011 TAFF Awards preview
It's that time of the year again, when the tyre industry casts its votes to pick the winners of the NTDA's Tyre & Fast Fit (TAFF) Awards. A voting form is included in this magazine (and in our July issue) with the names of those companies that made the final shortlist or votes can be cast via the NTDA website. The final shortlist was compiled from nominations from NTDA members. The winners will be announced at the NTDA's Annual Dinner, which this year is being held at the Hilton Metropole Hotel at the NEC, Birmingham on 20th October. The categories are the same as in previous years, but there is also a new award for 2011 – that of "Tyre Centre of the Year". Retailers are invited to propose a depot or garage for consideration and those centres nominated will be the subject of a "mystery shopping" exercise, carried out by Encircle Marketing, who have extensive experience in this area.
Continue ReadingStoner consistency the key to US MotoGP victory
Casey Stoner used the harder compound Bridgestone slicks to climb from third and take a decisive victory at Laguna Seca in MotoGP’s US Grand Prix. Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa’s early pace faded in the latter stages, and Stoner’s ascent to the lead in lap 27 of 32 proved decisive. Hirohide Hamashima, assistant to director of Bridgestone’s Motorsport Tyre Development Division said: “The harder option front and rear slicks were clearly the faster options today and, especially in the case of Casey, consistency was impressive. Whilst his fastest lap was a few tenths off the lap record, the total race time was 2.7 seconds faster than the previous record which is a very good indication of consistency and durability.
Continue Reading“Exactly what we were aiming for” – Hembery at German GP
Paul Hembery, Formula One tyre supplier Pirelli’s motorsport director, has hailed both the varied strategies of drivers in the German Grand Prix and race winner Lewis Hamilton’s use of the less-fancied medium compound PZero White tyre as indicative of the brand’s continued success in its first season back in the sport. The victory was Hamilton’s second of the 2011 season following 60 laps of battles for the lead. Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso was second, ahead of Red Bull Racing’s Mark Webber – who started from pole – in third.
Continue ReadingEasy Tyre and Autocentres introduces mobile fitting
Midlands-based member of the HiQ network Easy Tyre and Autocentres has announced the introduction of a new mobile tyre fitting service. Emma-Jane Kisby, marketing manager from Easy Tyre and Autocentres explains: “We have introduced our mobile tyre fitting service for those customers who just cannot find the time to visit a centre.
Continue ReadingFirenza offers patterns for numerous positions and applications
The Firenza brand has been established in the UK truck market for a number of years now and the range, which is produced by Sumo Tires, is steadily growing. Firenza commercial vehicle tyres are said to be backed by the latest production technology and include design features such as a solid shoulder area construction, a zero angle steel band that prevents irregular wear plus a tread groove to combat casing damage and stone retention.
Continue ReadingWork on Kumho US plant tipped to start mid-2012
Almost two years ago Kumho Tire announced it would delay construction of its new factory in the US state of Georgia, with a start to work pushed back until late 2013. Now local news sources say construction of the new plant may commence sooner than anticipated. According to Middle Georgia NBC network affiliate WMGT-TV, Bibb County officials who are working together with Kumho on the project anticipate a summer 2012 start to work on the new plant.
Continue ReadingEvonik carbon black becomes Orion Engineered Carbons
Evonik Corporation’s divestiture of its carbon black business is expected to be complete by 1 August 2011, but with it will also come a name change. Announced earlier this year, Evonik divested itself of it Carbon Black Business Unit and sold it to affiliates of Rhone Capital and Triton. According to the company, the new business will be known as Orion Engineered Carbons. All of the silica-based products (Aerosil, Aeroxide, Acematt, Sipernat) will continue to be manufactured and sold by Evonik Inorganic Materials.
Continue ReadingDick Anderson dies
Well known tyre wholesale stalwart Dick Anderson died suddenly on Saturday 16 July. The news was confirmed by RH Claydon group business development manager, John Parker who wrote to Tyres Accessories: “It is with great sorrow that I must inform you of some sad news in that Dick Anderson unfortunately passed away.” Anderson, who retired just over a year ago, was apparently working alone in the garden at his old home in Welnetham when he suffered a massive heart attack.
Continue ReadingChat with the Michelin Man
Those wishing to exchange online pleasantries with a 113 year old can now do so, thanks to a bit of help from Michelin. The French tyre maker has introduced a new feature on its corporate website, a ‘chatbot’ feature that enables visitors to engage in a tête-à-tête with none other than Bibendum, the iconic Michelin Man. The feature, created by VirtuOz, appears on the michelin.com website’s home page and provides a human-like interface between users and the Michelin brand. In announcing the feature’s launch, the tyre maker comments that Bibendum is the first world-famous brand icon to interact with users in this way.
Continue ReadingNorth American launch for Versado Eco
Toyo Tire USA has launched the Versado Eco range in North American markets. The new tyre is described as being an all-season, low rolling resistance luxury performance tyre designed for hybrids and other environmentally-friendly vehicles; Toyo says it has used a combination of innovative technology and environment-friendly materials to deliver low rolling resistance without sacrificing tread life, luxury or performance.
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