Michelin Buys-out Apollo
Michelin has bought Apollo Tyres’ stake in the two companies’ joint venture. In addition to the 49 per cent stake Michelin now owns as a result of the acquisition, the French manufacturer will hold onto the 14.9 per cent stake it acquired in Apollo Tyres two years ago. Explaining the reason behind the buy-out, Michelin said: “While the use of radial tyres has gone up in the past two years, it is at a pace that was slower than projected by the partners.”
Continue ReadingGlobal Motorsports Congress 2005
How does motorsport engineering influence series development and vice versa? This question will be at the heart of the Global Motorsports Congress to be held in Frankfurt on 17 and 18 November. Researchers and developers from throughout the world of motorsport and series development will attend the two-day event in Germany.
Continue ReadingEnTire Solutions Launches for 2006 Hyundai/Kia Models
EnTire Solutions, the joint venture between Michelin and TRW Automotive, says it will increase its direct tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) presence in North America for the new 2006 Hyundai Tucson and the 2006 Kia Sportage.
Continue ReadingContinued Evolution
Yokohama Rubber’s IAA exhibit was designed to continue the manufacturer’s strategy of pushing its premium Advan range. Under the banner of “Further Evolving Advan - A Global Flagship Brand” Yokohama showed visitors its commitment to becoming a world leader in tyre brand development through three aspects - its flagship product line-up, OE activities and motorsports activities.
Continue ReadingAnalysts Downgrade Bridgestone
Deutsche Bank analysts have downgraded Bridgestone shares to hold. The news comes after the Japanese company’s share price reached the analysts’ target level. Bridgestone shares are now rated as ‘hold,’ with a modified target price of 2450 yen against the previous level of 2500 yen.
Continue ReadingBalkrishna to Invest £39 million in Expansion Plans
Tyre manufacturer, Balkrishna Industries Ltd says it will invest 3 billion rupees (£39 million) on expansion plans. The board of directors has reportedly approved the plans which include increasing tyre manufacturing capacities at Bhiwadi, Waluj and Chopanki plants to 100,00 tonnes per annum against 60,000 presently.
Continue ReadingEating Out in 2006
Michelin is launching the 2006 edition of its Eating out in Pubs guide. It will feature more than 500 of the best dining pubs and inns in Britain and Ireland, and will be available from the 30 September. There are 75 new entries in this year’s guide, bringing the total number of establishments listed to 525. Also included is the 2006 Michelin Pub of the Year. The award went to The Rose and Crown at Romaldkirk near Barnard Castle, County Durham.
Continue ReadingAmerityre to Develop Polyurethane Retreads
Amerityre Corporation has begun the development of a polyurethane tyre compound and manufacturing process for retreading medium commercial truck tyres. Amerityre believes the retreading process, which has been successfully developed and tested in passenger car tyre applications, is a natural fit for the medium commercial truck tyre used by tens of thousands of over-the-road truck fleets worldwide. “The benefits of polyurethane elastomer as a tyre compound are evident,” said Richard Steinke, president and CEO of Amerityre. “In both endurance and high speed testing our polyurethane compounds have run substantially cooler than rubber. In addition, these compounds have outperformed comparable rubber compounds in both accelerated heat aging and ozone testing,” he added.
Continue ReadingApaseal Partners With Tech
Apaseal has announced “a new active partnership” with tyre repair material manufacturer Tech International. The announcement follows Apaseal’s key supply partner model. Other partners include Corghi for equipment, Dionys Hofmann for balancing weights and Schrader for the companies valve needs. The Tech products will provide the UK tyre trade with a wider choice of methods and repairs for tyre and wheel service products. At a recent meeting at Apaseal’s head office, plans were finalised to introduce the Tech range for distribution alongside Apaseal products nationwide.
Continue ReadingMichelin Opens $70.2 Million Hungary Factory
Michelin has opened a new passenger car tyre manufacturing facility in the Hungarian city of Nyiregyhaza. The French company has invested 14.5 billion forints (£39.8 million) in the new production unit, which is expected to produce 800,000 tyres annually and will employ 217 people.
Continue ReadingMIRA Produce More Results
The Motor Industry Research Association has conducted further tests that highlight the importance of adequate tread depth on vehicle tyres. Independent braking tests were carried out to measure stopping distances and cornering performance of car tyres on wet road surfaces. According to the safety body the results showed “conclusively” that both stopping distances and cornering performance “noticeably deteriorated well before the end of a tyre’s life.”
Continue ReadingTop Technician Kicks Off
Entrants who achieve the highest marks in this year’s Top Technician theory test, will be invited to a free training seminar on modern vehicle technology. The seminar will be hosted by newly appointed technical partner, MototeK, helpline provider to many vehicle manufacturers.
Continue ReadingBridgestone UK Adds To Sales Team
Bridgestone UK has appointed Tim Dougherty as Trade Sales Manager (North). He has spent his career in the tyre industry, working for a truck rental company and spending eight years as Bridgestones area sales manager in the Midlands. Reporting to head of truck sales Julie Plumb, Mr. Dougherty will manage a team of five salesmen and will be responsible for all Bridgestones truck and bus tyre sales in the northern half of the UK.
Continue ReadingDelphi Appoints MD
Delphi has appointed Lúcia Moretti as managing director, Delphi Product & Service Solutions Europe, Middle East and Africa. In her new role, Ms Moretti heads up a new structure within Delphis aftermarket division, designed to drive the growth of aftermarket business in the region.
Continue ReadingGoing The Extra Mile for a Successful Supply Chain Strategy
Just look at how Ryanair and Easyjet caught the traditional airlines off-guard – that’s just what could happen to your business if you fail to spot an opportunity before one of your competitors does. Of course, in my line of business, I’m interested in how companies can create opportunities for themselves through their logistics management. It’s easy to look at how supermarkets control their supply chain right back to the farmer in the field, and assume that the same will happen in the automotive sector as well. Certainly, the dominant trend in logistics has been the transfer of control from manufacturer to customer.
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