Uralshina Produces New ‘Shaina’ Tyre
Sibur Holding member, Uralshina has started producing a new ultra-low profile large-size tyre, under the brand name “Shaina.” According to Russian media reports, the new tyre is intended for “high floatation amphibian automobiles” such as Shaina, Ataka and others. The targeted vehicles are used for crossing impassable, swamped or snow-covered land and can cross rivers and lakes, the Russian Financial Information service reported.
Continue ReadingNew National Car Sales Director appointed at ATS Euromaster
Russell Fleetwood has literally stepped up a gear at ATS Euromaster. ATS Euromaster has named the 39-year-old as its new national car sales director, a position he immediately takes over after just one year as one of ATSE’s divisional sales managers.
Continue ReadingYokohama Announces Two New Chinese Joint Ventures
Yokohama has announced that it has entered into two new joint venture operations in China. Shandong Yokohama Rubber Industrial Products Co, Ltd, will produce and sell conveyor belts, and Yokohama Tire Sales (Shanghai) Co, Ltd, will sell tyres, both are set to be established in early 2006.
Continue ReadingPirelli North America Develops at ‘Record’ Pace
According to the Italian manufacturer, Pirelli’s 2006 price book reveals an impressive 61 new sizes added to the range marketed just 12 months ago. These numbers don’t refer to new products in existing sizes (there are a further 65 new product items) but completely new sizes designed from scratch - 28 for passenger cars and a further 33 for light truck.
Continue ReadingAmtel-Vredestein to Sell Amtel-Carbon Subsidiary
(Akron/Tire Review) Amtel-Vredestein NV has completed an agreement to sell its Volgograd-based subsidiary, Amtel-Carbon, for $21 million, according to Russian and European news reports. Amtel-Carbon primarily produces carbon black used in tyre production. The buyer’s name was not disclosed, but the decision was described as part of the manufacturer’s strategy to focus on tyres for premium and mid-range vehicle segments.
Continue ReadingConti Markets Real-World Performance With a Touch of Fantasy
Building on the success of the ContiRoad Attack, Continental has rolled out a new advertising and marketing campaign to promote its new “Uber Sport” radial the ContiSport Attack. The new Attack campaign uses a new approach for Conti, with three distinctive characters, the Warrior Conti Girl and two Road Guards.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Announces Price Increase
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear has announced a price increase of up to 6% on all consumer, commercial and OTR brands, effective 1 January 2006. Rising raw material, energy and transportation costs were cited as reasons for the increase.
Continue ReadingMichelin to Leave Formula One After 2006
Michelin is to end its Formula One involvement after the 2006 season, the French manufacturer has reported. Explaining its decision, Michelin said it would not supply a single supplier Formula 1 series and was not happy with F1’s new direction, but did not rule out rejoining the series, if the rules were modified. For many motorsport observers this is a somewhat understated way of describing the rift that has emerged between the manufacturer and the sport’s governing bodies. The manufacturer also complained of “constant changes to racing regulations without warning.” Following a disastrous US Grand Prix, and public disagreements with the FIA chief, Max Mosely, Michelin have obvious decided to leave the Formula 1 circus to the only other act on the scene - Bridgestone.
Continue ReadingGPX International
GPX International Tire Corporation has announced that Donna Lynn DiSpirito has joined the company as the new director of quality. As an ASQ certified quality manager, certified six sigma black belt, senior examiner for the MA quality award, and a lead auditor for both ISO 9001 and TS 16949, Ms DiSpirito has extensive experience in integrating quality practices with production demands within a broad range of industries.
Continue ReadingProduct Flexibility
In 2005 Michelin, Europe’s leading agricultural tyre supplier, focused its efforts on promoting its Xeobib and CargoXbib product lines. At the same time the global manufacturer launched the Exelagri dealer scheme as a way of strengthening its relationship with dealers on local and regional levels.
Continue ReadingASA Announces TireMax Link to BibTread System
(Akron/Tire Review) ASA Tire Systems is now offering a new interface to Michelin’s BibTread system, which will reportedly allow independent tyre dealers to transfer retread information electronically from the Michelin BibTread software to ASA’s TireMax accounting and point of sale software.
Continue ReadingAlliance Updates Product Line-up
Israeli agricultural tyre manufacturer, Alliance Tire Company Ltd has released a series of size and load index updates to its existing product range. The most recent development has been within Alliance’s forestry portfolio. Here the manufacturer has increased the load index of its 331 Forest (710/40 22.5) tyre. Designed for the front and rear tyres of modern forestry harvesters and other similar machinery, the 331 Forest is now available with 16PR, 152A8 and 159A2 load indexes.
Continue ReadingUnion Sets Vote on Titan Contract Offer
(Akron/Tire Review) The Freeport (Illinois) Journal-Standard reported that United Steelworkers (USW) workers at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s Freeport agricultural tyre plant will vote 21 December on a new labour agreement that could pave the way for Titan International to acquire the plant.
Continue ReadingMaxxis Helps Keep Costs Down
With operating costs – particularly fuel prices – constantly rising, operators of vans and light trucks have seen margins sharply diminished. Remaining competitive with no reduction in customer service levels is a constant challenge, whether a small fleet or one or two vehicles, and one in which tyres can play an important part.
Continue ReadingConti, Union Face Off Over Plant
(Akron/Tire Review) Tensions in Charlotte, North Carolina, are rising as the head of Continental Tire North America (CTNA) saying the company may close its HQ plant and the United Steelworkers (USW) claiming the tyremaker hasn’t provided information to allow it to “develop a plan to salvage manufacturing at the Charlotte plant.”
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