Michelin to Report Q3 Increase of 4.5%
Michelin is to report a sales increase of 4.5 per cent when the French manufacturer hosts a quarterly conference call this evening. Deutsche Bank analysts said the increase was entirely attributable to an improved price/mix effect. The analysts also pointed out that, with regards to EBIT, the improved price/mix effect should more than offset the “raw material price headwind” which is estimated at 80 – 90 million euros. The company is also effected to benefit from its policy of high-cost workforce reduction.
Continue ReadingContinental Considers Buying Delphi Assets
Continental AG is considering whether it should buy some assets from Delphi. CEO, Manfred Wennemer told the Financial Times Deutschland that the company and others were looking to see if Delphi would see off some of its assets. “This is a chance for everyone -- also for Continental. We have to see what they want to or must sell off,” the newspaper quoted Wennemer as sayding. Wennemer did not say what parts of Delphi Continental would be interested in, but he ruled out any purchases that would take the automotive supplier into any new areas.
Continue ReadingGroup Tyre to Exclusively Distribute Marangoni
Group Tyre (UK) Ltd is to exclusively distribute Marangoni passenger car and light truck tyres in the UK mainland. The move will allow Group Tyre to offer the independent sector a European manufactured product with premium brand quality but offering better value for money, the wholesale operation said in an official statement. “The addition of the Marangoni brand to our portfolio illustrates our commitment to offer our customers a full range of quality brands. We believe that we can develop Marangoni in the UK market to emulate the success it has achieved in the rest of Europe, and that Marangoni will contribute to our continued success in the independent sector,” commented Group Tyre chairman, John Church.
Continue ReadingAnalysts Change Recommendations for Cooper and Sumitomo
Deutsche Bank analysts have published a “buy” rating for shares in Sumitomo Rubber Industries. The bank says it sees potential for the company’s share price to grow in the region of 20 per cent. “SRI’s earnings are much better than expected and the acquisition of TBC Tyres in North America through Sumitomo Corporation brings additional positive aspects,” Deutsche Bank representatives reported. At the same time the bank’s analysts lowered their expectations for Cooper shares and issued a “hold” rating for the company’s stock. Analysts from Deutsche Bank lowered their expectations to $13.50. “Due to weaker demand the company is obviously not meeting the turnover target this year,” the analysts commented.
Continue ReadingContinental to Increase Low Cost Production
Continental is to increase its production capacity in so-called low cost European countries by 3-4 million units each year, analysts have reported. Given the fact that labour costs in Western Europe are five times higher compared to Central and Eastern Europe the Deutsche Bank analysts calculate a competitive advantage of five euros per tyre.
Continue ReadingAttention to Detail
If you talk to engineers at Goodyear Test Centre: Luxembourg (GTC*L), they will probably tell you just how radically “tyre testing has changed over the last 20 years” and how pleased they are to have been at the forefront of these developments. During a recent visit to the company’s Luxembourg operation, officials showed Tyres & Accessories just how far Goodyear is willing to go to develop and improve the comfort and safety of its products. Nestled amongst the Goodyear Luxembourg complex which includes, tyre production, mould making an truck tyre mounting facilities, the GTC*L is made up of three main buildings; GTC*L itself the Tyre and Vehicle Testing Laboratory and Laboratory B. A day touring the Tyre and Vehicle testing laboratory alone is quite an education. In addition the people at the Goodyear’s neighbouring test track have a fleet of trucks, buses and cars that are perpetually testing tyres, clocking up 10 million kilometres a year. The quantity of data that the centre’s 44 PhDs wade through is immense, but here is just one example of the GTC*L’s daily activities.
Continue ReadingCTNA Starts Union Talks for Charlotte Plant
(Akron/Tire Review) Continental Tire North America Inc (CTNA) said it has begun negotiations with the United Steelworkers (USW) for a new labour agreement at its Charlotte, NC tyre manufacturing plant. The current labour agreement, initiated on 20 September 1999, does not expire until 30 April 2006, according to CTNA, but the tyremaker wanted to begin negotiations now to “address high manufacturing costs,” the company said.
Continue ReadingTwo Dozen Senior Execs Leave Bandag Europe
As many as two dozen of Bandag’s senior managers, including Peter de Cabooter, sales director Europe and Lennart Lindstroem, production director Europe, are said to have left the company last week. There are no specific details of whether the executives left voluntarily or were asked to leave. While there are not many confirmed details, it is clear that Bandag is losing ground in the European market.
Continue ReadingPirelli Strengthens its Global Footprint
The Pirelli group’s tyre division is consistently moving towards achieving its expansion plans. Under the guidance of Francesco Gori, arguably the architect of the Pirelli Tyre Company as we know it today, the company has built a MIRS factory on a greenfield site in Georgia, Rome, as a way of making a new start in the US; the world’s largest tyre market. In the meantime Pirelli’s bread and butter sizes are finding their way into the US from another new, ultramodern factory in Salvador, Bahia – a factory that also makes Pirelli a strong competitor in this region. In all probability Pirelli will establish a remarkable position in what is not only the largest tyre market in the world, but also one of the most important. More...
Continue ReadingAftermarket Visitor Attractions
The Aftermarket Show is putting the finishing touches to its visitor attractions. The Live Action Arena, will be presented by Fulda Tyres, and will offer a 5,500 seater indoor arena for the duration of the event. An interactive driving experience will also be featured to the exhibition.
Continue ReadingATS Website Goes Live
The new Automotive Trade Show website has gone live at www.atshow.com. Visitors will be able to book entry tickets and plan their visit to the show. They will also be able to research exhibitors and details of their exhibits through the A-Z listings and product locator.
Continue ReadingFirst CM Primary Shredder for Japan
Columbus McKinnon Corporation, Sarasota Florida Operations and e&Resources of Seoul, Korea are proud to announce the sale of the first CM Primary Tyre Shredder and CM Liberator to be installed in Japan. The equipment has been purchased by the Takahashi Shoji Corporation, which is located on the north island of Hokkaido in the city of Obihiro.
Continue ReadingSafer Gate Access
Safety specialist Fortress Interlocks has introduced an ingenious new design of Slide Bar for use with its AutoStop gate switch unit. The robust Slide Bar, cast from stainless steel, can be used on both hinged and sliding doors and claims to provide an enhanced level of safety without compromising functionality and ease of access. As well as providing all the safety features of a gate switch, the Slide Bar design ensures the power cannot be turned on simply by slamming the door behind an operator. The Slide Bar also features padlock holes for lock-out operations and an internal release handle which acts as an emergency stop.
Continue ReadingBERU F1 TPMS for World’s Fastest Car
Diss-based BERU F1 Systems has been chosen to supply its digital tyre pressure monitoring system DigiTyre for the world’s fastest road car, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. This is the system’s first OE application and a rare example of direct technology transfer from F1 to road car. With temperatures reaching over 100°C and G forces exceeding 2900G, traditional OEM tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) would struggle to last, thus necessitating the DigiTyre derivative.
Continue ReadingSubaru Impreza to Ride on Bridgestone Potenza RE92 Tyres
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) announced that the 2006 Subaru Impreza will be fitted with Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tyres. Impreza WRX sedan and wagon models will sport the Potenza RE92 tyres in size 215/45ZR17. ”Interlocking triangulated blocks and circumferential grooves in the tread design” enhance wet, dry and snow traction, according to BFNAT. “The computer-enhanced tread design also minimizes road noise, and the tyre’s polyester cord body promotes ride comfort,” the manufacturer added.
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