Michelin Invests $65.3 Million in Truck Tyre Capacity Expansion
(Akron/Tire Review) Groupe Michelin has announced plans to expand truck tyre capacity at its plant in Tours, France. Last month Tyres & Accessories learnt that Michelin would close down truck tyre production at the nearby Poitiers plant. A portion of the capacity from the Poitiers plant will be incorporated into the Tours facility, and the Poitiers plant will be converted into a warehouse, Michelin said. The manufacturer has already spent about $180 million on the Tours plants since 2000. Michelin stated it would spend $65.3 million to expand capacity at Tours by 25 per cent, to more than 1 million units. This investment will continue through 2007, Michelin said. A spokesperson reportedly said that a large portion of the investment is earmarked for super-wide tyres (including the X-One) and low-profile tyres.
Continue ReadingVarta Buys Delphi Battery Business
Varta is set to strengthen its already dominant position of OE car battery supplier in Europe through the acquisition of the European battery business of Delphi Corporation. The acquisition came into effect 1 July, following approval by the European Commission under antitrust laws.
Continue ReadingBosch Celebrates ESP
Ten years ago Bosch was the first supplier to begin series production of its Electronic Stability Program (ESP) technology. What started as an option for high-end passenger cars is now available as a safety feature on most new cars and vans. The development of ESP can be traced back to 1983 when engineers at Bosch sought to optimise anti-lock braking systems (ABS). To mark this milestone, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, patron of RoadSafe, attended a reception at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in London to celebrate with leading representatives from the road safety and motor industries. In a speech at the event, Prince Michael congratulated Bosch on the development and pointed out the important safety benefits that can be derived from the fitment of ESP to all vehicles. He also noted that the installation rate on new cars being registered in the UK had increased from 20 to 29 per cent in only 12 months
Continue ReadingFirestone’s New Exhibition Look
Firestone has invested in a new mobile exhibition unit, which it recently put to the test during Grasslands 2005. The unit is available for free hire to support Agri Point dealers at relevant agricultural/country exhibitions subject to availability. The 3,500 kg trailer unit features a hospitality seating area for up to 10 people and a well-equipped kitchen. The unit already has livery for Firestone including graphics panels featuring a number of advertisements from the current ‘Testimonial’ campaign.
Continue ReadingRMA Join TRA
The Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA) is to become an affiliate of the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA). TRA president, Roger Hicks, welcomed the move and views it as further endorsement of the TRA and its membership. He commented: “We as a body are still formulating our larger objectives and the willingness of the RMA to join with us in this future process will add to our sense of purpose. Together with the British Rubber Manufacturers’ Association who affiliated earlier this year we believe we are now in key position to help ensure the UK not only meets its obligations under the EU Landfill Directive but does so from a position of real strength and influence.” RMA chairman, Patrick O’Connell, said: “Retreading plays a crucial role in the tyre recovery process and, as such, we are delighted to join the TRA as an affiliate member. Our decision to join the TRA should be seen as indicative of the RMA’s willingness to co-operate with other industry associations and of our desire to continue to play an active role in issues of cross-industry interest.”
Continue ReadingBridgestone Welcomes ‘Greatest Drive’ Award
The Volkswagen Golf GTI, which fits Bridgestone Potenza tyres, has been voted the ‘Greatest Drive’ of 2005 by Auto Express magazine. “This is excellent news,” said Andy Lane, consumer marketing manager at Bridgestone UK. “The Golf GTI is an exciting, top-of-the-range car that requires the very best in grip and control, and this is just another example of how the UK’s top cars can perform at their best on Bridgestone rubber.”
Continue ReadingOffers From Thorite
Compressed air and fluid company Thorite has launched the summer edition of its Air Power publication, detailing the latest offers from the company. It is A4, folding out to A2 and contains special offers on a variety of products, including hand tools, pneumatic tools and Thorite’s own “Diamond” brand of compressors. Air Power is available free of charge from Thorite.
Continue ReadingFederal Tire To Increase Prices
Federal Tire will introduce a 3-5 per cent price increase across its full line of tyres beginning in October. “Rocketing” natural rubber, carbon black and other petroleum products in combination with higher transportation costs are all said to have contributed to the price increase. In an official statement announcing the price increases, Federal also pointed out that the present price increase does not fully reflect the company’s additional costs. Instead the company says it is “doing its best to absorb as much of it as possible.”
Continue ReadingAlliance Wins $2 million US Army Contract
Alliance Tire Co has announced that it has won five tenders totalling $2 million to supply tyres to the US Army for three years. Alliance will supply tyres for development work vehicles as an authorised supplier of the US government. According to the company, Alliance tyres have been tested in US Army laboratories, and found to be suitable for trucks, forklifts, field transportation vehicles, and development work vehicles.
Continue ReadingFederal To Debut Complete Motorsport Series
Federal Tire plans to make the most of the opportunity provided by the Tyrexpo Asia exhibition and debut not one, but two complete motorsport series. The range, known collectively as “Federal Motorsport” is made up of the “595 Competition Series” and the “FZ Combat Series.” In addition, Federal will also unveil the new Couragia M/T all terrain tyre, and the Milanza HZ-I, a brand new Hero brand UHP tyre. The company’s Himalaya WS-I winter product, Couragia S/U, Formoza FD-I and Hero branded 558 and 668 tyres will also be on display. The 595 Competition series has evolved from Federal’s popular SS595. Now the tyre has been renamed as simply the 595 and has spawned three variations, the 595 Drift Competition, 595EVO Street Competition and 595RS Sport Competition.
Continue ReadingRecycled Tyre Garden Gets Gold at RHS Show
A recycled rubber garden product has helped Cheshire County Council to win Best in Show and a Gold Award at the prestigious RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Flower Show held at Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire. The county council won the accolades for its environmentally-friendly garden - called ‘Living Today with Tomorrow in Mind.’ Committed to sustainability, the ‘green’ garden was landscaped with Dunweedin, rubber chippings made from recycled tyres.
Continue ReadingAvon and ATS Put Mini Up For Grabs
Customers who buy two Avon tyres from participating ATS Euromaster outlets will get the chance to win a new MINI Cooper. The car in question is worth £12,500 and comes in Chilli Red paintwork with Union Jack roof decoration and white bonnet stripes, plus of course a set of Avon Tyres. Five runners-up will receive a Sharp DAB portable digital radio, and all entrants will get a free Avon baseball cap. The competition runs from 1 August until 30 September.
Continue ReadingFrom Used Tyres to Printer Ink
Printer ink can cost as much as vintage champagne, reports New Scientist. So finding a cheap way of making it must be a great money making opportunity. Now three inventors from Derbyshire think they have found a way of doing just that. The solution? Extract the carbon from unwanted tyres to generate a cheap and plentiful supply. The black carbon powder used in regular ink is refined from pure oil and the liquid used in cartridges is boiled down from a volume six times larger. On the other hand, millions of tyres are disposed of each year.
Continue ReadingUnion Workers OK New Contract With BFNAT
(Akron/Tire Review) United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1155, representing workers at Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s (BFNAT) truck tyre plant in warren County, Tennessee, have ratified a new three-year contract. The vote, completed within the last 24 hours, averts a planned strike at the plant.
Continue ReadingContiTech in Talks to Sell Sealing Operations
Continental division ContiTech is in talks with private equity investor Orlando Management GmbH to sell its rubber sealing business ContiTech Profile to Orlando Management client Special Situations Venture Partners Fund, a spokesman for Orlando Management told the AFX news agency.
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