Michelin Sales Volume Dips
Michelin’s 2005 sales volume growth will be negative for only the second time in 10 years, Deutsche Bank analysts have reported. However, despite this seemingly negative news, the management is said to be aiming for “at least stable” operating profit margins, compared with 2004 (8.7 per cent).
Continue ReadingQuickSilver Exhaust for Bentley Continental GT
Most people would agree that the sound is an important part of driving a ‘Sports’ car. However, when it comes to the Bentley Continental GT, the original factory silencers are cleverly designed but too quiet for many drivers’ tastes, says exhaust specialist QuickSilver. QuickSilver’s design team has developed a ‘Sports’ system with internals created to allow the volume and flow to increase in proportion with rpm. This provides a unique, higher pitched and crisper exhaust note, while a much more efficient exhaust gas flow means a real improvement in turbo response and acceleration.
Continue ReadingStamford Tyres First Half 2006 Net Profit up 114 per cent
Singapore’s Stamford Tyres has published first half 2006 results which show the company is ahead of schedule as far as net profits are concerned. In the six month period ended 31 October the company recorded a 114.3 per cent rise in net profits to S$6.5 million.
Continue ReadingFiore Tapped to Head TIA Government Relations
(Akron/Tire Review) TIA has named Paul Fiore, its current director of business development, as the association’s new director of government and business relations. Fiore replaces Becky MacDicken, who left TIA as of 2 December for a position in Pennsylvania.
Continue ReadingHayes Lemmerz Sells Cadillac Foundry
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. has confirmed that it has sold Hayes Lemmerz International - Cadillac, Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary that operates its Cadillac, Michigan facility. The Cadillac operation was sold to a group of private investors and will now be renamed Cadillac Casting, Inc.
Continue ReadingRetiring Hercules Chief Looks Back
(Akron/Tire Review) In 1958 Craig Anderson sold his first set of Goodyear Double Eagles while working at his uncle’s tyre store in New York state. Now, after 40-plus years in the tyre and rubber industry, Craig has stepped down as president and chief executive officer of Hercules Tire & Rubber Co.
Continue ReadingTitan Extends Deadline For Fifth Time
(Akron/Tire Review) Despite claims that it has reached an agreement with the United Steelworkers that would pave the way for the completion of its planned purchase of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co’s agricultural tyre business, Titan International has filed for its fifth extension for the deal. The new deadline set by Titan is 31 December.
Continue ReadingHow to Successfully Recruit Senior Staff
A company’s success is determined by how good its people are and the more senior the people the greater the effect - good or bad –they can have on a company’s success. So how do you ensure that your next high flyer will be exactly that?
Continue ReadingGoodyear: Committed to Philippines
(Akron/Tire Review) Despite circulating rumours, according to local media, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co plans to maintain its operations in the Philippines, and hopes to reach a new deal on a 25-year property lease with the National Development Co there. According to news reports out of the Philippines, Goodyear Philippines president David Joseph Morin disclosed this at the company’s 50th year celebration this week and revealed plans to expand its network of Goodyear outlets in that country. The company’s 25-year lease contract with the National Development Co. for the 18-hectare lot in Las Piñas expired in May 2000 and has been extended month to month.
Continue ReadingManufacturers Use Tactilus Footprint Profiling System
Sensor Products LLC has produced a “next generation” tyre tread footprint profiling system, which is already in use by manufacturers like Kumho. Capable of thousands of uses with consistent repeatability, the Tactilus is reportedly able to detect a wider range of pressures and offers greater advantages to engineers than its predecessor in the areas of adaptability and customisation.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Unveils New Machinery in Australia
Bridgestone Australia Ltd has unveiled a new Tyre Assembly Machine (TAM) at its Salisbury, Australia facility. According to the company, the new TAM represents a “significant investment” and will be used to manufacture 17 inch tyres, which are currently sourced from outside Australia.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Launches ‘Advanced’ B250
Bridgestone has launched what the company calls its “most technologically advanced general use tyre to date.” The new tyre will replace the original equipment B391 and B390 tyres, and the B330 Evo, which is sold purely in the replacement market. The move is designed to simplify the company’s range of general use tyres, increase brand recognition, and make the ordering process easier for dealers, the company said in a statement.
Continue ReadingFour Falcon Board Members Quit
Four Falcon Tyre board members have resigned, only days after the company was bought by the Ruia group. The company informed Bombay Stock Exchange that Vidya Manohar Chhabria, Komal C Wazir, Mohan M Thakur and Deepak Chaudhuri (the former executive director) had all resigned. The resignations took effect on 1 December, it emerged.
Continue ReadingMichelin Plans South Carolina OTR Expansion
Michelin is planning to expand a Lexington County, South Carolina plant that makes large earthmover tyres, the associated has press reported. With reference to the current earthmover tyre shortage, Michelin said the company is investing in a South Carolina facility “west of Columbia.” He said capacity will be added there but did not discuss the size of an expansion nor a definitive timetable.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Competition Winner
Bridgestone has announced the results of its pan-European competition to win an Actros truck. The competition, which attracted entries from hundreds of feet operators from 14 countries, was won by German logistics company Aug. W. Bode GmbH, based at Bad Salzuflen.
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