New sizes for ‘Big Trailies’
Michelin’s sports-touring tyre, Pilot Road, has two new additions for fitment to big trail bikes. 110/80 R 19 59V front and 150/70 R 17 69V rear are designed for bikes including the Honda Varadero, Triumph Tiger, Suzuki V-Strom and BMW R1100, 1150GS and 1200GS models.
Continue ReadingCanadian Tire Announces 16 per cent Dividend Increase
The Canadian Tire Corporation board of directors has approved quarterly dividend payments of $0.125 to $0.145 per share, an annualised increase of 16 per cent. The company says its policy is to dividend payments equal to approximately 15 to 20 per cent of the prior year’s normalised basic net earnings per share, after giving consideration to the period end cash position, future cash flow requirements and investment opportunities.
Continue Reading21st Annual Tire Industry Conference
Clemson University will host the 21st annual Tire Industry Conference from 9 to 11 March at the Hilton Head Marriott Beach & Golf Resort in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Tire Review has reported. The conference will focus on changing facets of the tyre industry and how tyre and automotive manufacturers and consumers are affected. Twenty presentations will be conducted by representatives from the tyre manufacturing industry, academics and government. The impact of the economy on the tyre industry, vehicle dynamics and how the industry is addressing tyre safety issues are other issues that will be addressed at the conference. In addition, tyre-monitoring technologies, retreading, scrap tyres and the safety of oversized tyres promise to be hot topics, according to the magazine.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Sponsors British Skiing ‘Guru’
Goodyear tyres have agreed sponsorship with Ali Ross - the guru of modern British skiing. Ali has carved a unique place in the world of ski instruction. In a statement detailing the news, Goodyear described, the skier’s ideas about technique as revolutionary, adding that it is just as concentrated on its technical excellence.
Continue ReadingRMA National Tire Safety Week
In the US, the RMA is preparing for its fifth annual consumer education programme promoting tyre care. The National Tire Safety Week runs from 24 to 30 April and will respond to research which found that 85 per cent of motorists fail to check tyre pressures properly.
Continue ReadingUS Trade Gap Reaches Record Proportions
The US’s total trade deficit reached a record $617.7 billion, Tire Review reports, citing the Commerce Department. In 2004 the gap widened by 24.4 per cent compare with the previous year, thanks to increased costs of crude oil and more purchases of finished goods. According to the report, purchases of cars and tyres reached all-time highs. The trade deficit even reached as far as farm products, with Americans buying more cheese, wine and food products that the US exported.
Continue Reading£1000 Prize For Smithfield Competition Winner
Goodyear has presented Richard Lamb of Home Farm in Rutland with a £1000 farm tyre voucher. Mr Lamb received the prize after being randomly picked from over 3000 entries at December’s Smithfield Show. Goodyear returned to the Smithfield Show last year showing off their newly completed Optitrac range. As Smithfield visitors viewed the range their passes were scanned and they were automatically entered into the prize draw. In the last five years Goodyear has introduced six new products. Andy Morris, director of farm for Goodyear said: “The Smithfield Show was a great end to a great year for Goodyear farm tyres. We had a fantastic response to the stand and over 3,000 entries into the prize draw.” Richard Lamb, an arable farmer who grows sugar beat, winter barley, winter wheat, peas and linseed was delighted to win. “I couldn’t remember entering the competition so was totally surprised – I actually thought it was a hoax,” he said. “I always travel down to the Smithfield Show and enjoy it but to win £1,000 worth of Goodyear tyres as well is fantastic.”
Continue ReadingAnalysts Keep Cool About Michelin
While some newspapers reported analysts’ disappointment with Michelin’s weaker than expected fourth quarter sales, analysts from France, Morgan Stanley as well as Deutsche Bank do not see too much reason for concern. Although volumes were slightly negative, the positive effect of better product mix and prices has continued to be demonstrated from quarter to quarter. Obviously Michelin increased market share with winter tyres and truck tyres in the OE business. Analysts are also highlighting the fact that Michelin is to invest 500 million euros in its polish plant and is therefore ready for further expansion in Eastern Europe.
Continue ReadingDegussa To Expand Carbon Black Capacity In Brazil
Dusseldorf based, Degussa AG has announced that it will increase the capacity of its carbon black plant in Paulinia, Brazil, to 100,000 tonnes per year. The company first announced this project in September 2004. Now that the management board has approved the plans, the way is clear for work to start immediately.
Continue ReadingMichelin Leases 205 Acres in Poland
Michelin has signed the lease for a 205 acre plot of land in the north eastern Polish town of Olszryn, with a view to expanding its presence there, according to the town’s mayor. “I have signed a lease agreement with [Michelin Poland CEO] Pierre Michallat, which is very beneficial for the French group, for nearly 100 hectares of land next to the already existing Michelin sites in our town,” said Jerzy Malkowski, mayor of Olsztyn.
Continue ReadingRMA/GPG Meeting to Address Political and Business Trends
The US Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and General Products Group will discuss the political and business trends affecting the industry, at its annual meeting which is being held between 26 and 28 February. The RMA/GPG annual meeting will be held at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.
Continue ReadingNew Appointments to BERU’s Supervisory Board
Four new members, including BorgWarner’s CFO and vice president, have been appointed to the supervisory board of Beru AG. At the request of Beru’s executive board, economist Dr Ulrich Wöhr, (Diploma Business Management), chartered accountant Robin J Adams, CFO and chief administrative officer of BorgWarner Inc, Anthony D Hensel, as well as BorgWarner’s vice president, Alfred Weber were asked to join the board. The appointments follow the execution of the share purchase agreement of roughly 62 per cent of Beru AG’s shares through BorgWarner.
Continue ReadingRecauchutagem Launches Fedima Sirocco
Portuguese company, Recauchutagem 31, has released a new range of 4x4 products. According to the company, the range includes products for road and off road usage, going some way to fulfilling its mission to have “the world’s most diversified production.” The new range’s flagship product, the Fedima Sirocco, is for use in 4x4 competitions and is said to have high traction power with an “extremely aggressive pattern.” At the moment there are four sizes available: 750R16, 235/85R16, 35/10.5R16 and 900R16. In April and May the Fedima Sirocco range will be extended to include five new sizes: 215/80R15, 215/75R15, 265/70R15, 31/10.5R15 e 205R16. With its new product, the company is aiming to strengthen its position in a market, which it says has high growth potential, with the number of enthusiasts rising each day. According to Rechcauchutagem, its 4x4 tyres have brought success in some of the of the harshest all-terrain races across Europe, with several international victories.
Continue ReadingNew Land Rover 3 and Discovery 3 Exhausts
Quicksilver has launched a stainless steel exhaust system specially designed for the new Land Rover 3 and Discovery 3 V8 petrol and Turbo Disel V6. According to the company, the new products are for “bold confident people who enjoy making a fashion statement,” and provide “a distinguished air of supremacy.”
Continue ReadingDoom and Gloom in UK Manufacturing?
A survey conducted by the CBI has reported that UK manufacturing firms fear that up to 26,000 jobs could be lost over the next three months. The CBI and Experian poll showed that confidence in the manufacturing industry has fallen in eight of the UK’s 11 regions over the past quarter with the north west hit hard. Despite the sharpest fall in confidence occurring with firms in the West Midlands, London and the South East are expected to bear the largest decline in manufacturing employment. The CBI states that whilst 26,000 jobs is a large figure, it is still short of the losses seen during the steep manufacturing recession of 2001 to 2003. However, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows a 0.6 per cent between November and December, its fastest pace in seven months.
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