Record Sales For Continental’s Car Division
In the last business year Continental Group sold more than 60 million car tyres in Europe (including eastern European countries). Around about two thirds were sold in the aftermarket, the rest as original equipment (oe). In oe, the Continental Brand was dominant, followed by only a small volume from the other company brands. In the aftermarket the leading Continental brand made about 15 million sales, the others followed in order, Uniroyal, Barum, Semperit and the regional brands Gislaved, Viking and Mabor. General must also be mentioned in the off road sector, not forgetting house and private brands, of which Continental sold some five million pieces Europe-wide.
Continue ReadingDr. Wellen Takes Over From Bernd Frangenberg
Dr. Ulrich Wellen, the designated successor to Bernd Frangenberg, has taken over responsibility for Continental General Tire (CGT). Frangenberg will remain a member of the Executive Board until the Supervisory Board meets in April, when he will leave the company.
Continue ReadingCo-operation between Van den Ban and Inter-Sprint
Shortly before Christmas, it was announced that the two Dutch wholesalers, Intersprint and Van den Ban, were to co-operate in areas such as logistics, warehousing and transport. Under the agreement, Intersprint will purchase a number of shares from Van den Ban and it is possible that Van den Ban will buy a small amount of Intersprints shares. The founder of Van den Ban, Mr. Arie van den Ban, stressed that the amount of shares to be purchased by Intersprint has not yet been determined, but it will be less than fifty per cent. The two companies share up to 70 per cent of customers but want to continue to act independently in the market. Van den Bans managing director Simon Klapwijk and commercial director Henk van Dijk will leave the company this week; a parting which was described as amicable by both sides.
Continue ReadingNew Pilot Race Bike Tyres From Michelin
From two wheel racing to the street: Michelin presents the new motorbike tyre Pilot Race 2 which has only the name in common with its predecessor, the Pilot Race. The new high performance tyre, available in three versions, was derived from the Michelin racing tyres used in the Supersport 600 World Championship 2001 by Kevin Curtain on his Honda CBR 600, during which he won some races and achieved some pole positions.
Continue ReadingReconciliation Talks Between Ford And Bridgestone
Press reports in Japan say that talks have been held between Ford and Bridgestone, regarding the resumption of business relations. The two companies confirmed that talks have taken place but would not comment on whether or not any agreement had been finalised. Further discussions are expected later this month.
Continue ReadingUS Consortium Plans To Buy Kumho Tire
The Kumho Group, by the 11th January, will be in receipt of a letter of intent to take over the tyre division. The bid comes from a duo of US-based consortia seeking to gain position as priority negotiators in the sale of the tyre division. One consortium is led by Carlyle, the other by Goldman Sachs. Kumho aims to sell around 80 per cent of its interest in Kumho Tire for about $1.5 billion (1.67 billion Euro).
Continue ReadingAlcoa Signs Agreement to Acquire Dooray Air Metal’s Extrusion Business
Alcoa Inc. and Dooray Air Metal Co. Ltd. have announced that they have signed a definitive asset purchase agreement for Alcoa to acquire Doorays aluminium extrusion assets, located in Changwon, Korea. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding in spring 2001 for Alcoa to acquire the Dooray assets. The Changwon facility produces hard alloy extrusions, rod and bar, extruded shape and tubing for use primarily in industrial, transportation, defence and aerospace applications. The aluminium car wheel business, in which Dooray is the market leader in Korea and Alcoa is one of the biggest oe suppliers in North America, is not affected.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Truck Force Full Service Supplier For Ewals
Ewals Cargo Care is a Dutch Fleet Company with around 2,000 trucks. Now the just in time specialist, which supplies parts to car manufacturers factories, has signed a contract whereby Goodyear Truck Force becomes the exclusive partner in tyre support and tyre service. In this way new tyre sales, retreading and (breakdown) service will be sourced from a single supplier.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Sells Chemical Business
Goodyear has sold its speciality chemical business to Littlejohn & Company, a Connecticut-based private company, for an undisclosed sum. The chemical business is based in France and had sales of over $120 million in 2000; its sale is part of Goodyears strategy to dispose of non-core assets and reduce debt.
Continue ReadingFirst Quarter Results From Amcast
Amcast, the automotive parts manufacturer (aluminium wheels), has reported results for its fiscal 2002 first quarter, which ended on December 2 last year. Sales were down 5 per cent compared with last year, at $131.2 million. The net loss for the quarter was $5.5 million. Sales at Speedline, the companys European operation, were up 9% on the previous year, benefiting from a strong vehicle market and favourable exchange rates.
Continue ReadingManagement Buy-Out At National Tyre Service And Viking
A double management buy-out of former Conti-owned tyre retailer National Tyre Service and wholesaler Viking International was announced today. The buy-outs, which were for an undisclosed sum, were led by Chairman and Chief Executive Alan Revie. The two companies will continue to trade as separate businesses, under the umbrella of a new holding company, Axle Group Holdings Limited. In addition to National and Viking, the group includes a property company.
Continue ReadingOE Contracts For Kumho
Kumho has announced that it will supply 200,000 tyres in 2002 for VWs new Polo. This follows another OE contract awarded last October, which saw the Korean manufacturer supply tyres for VW Beetles, produced at VWs factory in Mexico. Kumho says it will supply 250,000 tyres for the Beetle in 2002.
Continue ReadingNew V-Rated Winter Tyre From Vredestein Carries The Load
Vredestein has introduced the Wintrac V XL, a V-rated winter tyre that has the same load capacity as W, Y and Z-rated summer tyres. With few, if any, winter tyres available at these higher speed ratings, drivers have previously had to fit V-rated winter tyres with lower load-carrying capabilities. The Wintrac V XL will be available for this years winter tyre season.
Continue ReadingNew Board Member For Continental
Continental AG is set to expand its management board by creating a new post covering finance, controlling and legal matters. These are currently handled by Klaus Friedland, who is also responsible for Human Resources. Recent developments, such as the acquisition of Temic, has pushed Contis payroll up to 68,000 workers and increased the necessity for a full-time HR officer. No specific candidates are being considered for the Financial post at the moment, according to Conti.
Continue ReadingPirelli/Trelleborg – Three New Tyres
Only two years after the joint venture, the company has launched the TM 900 High Power, the latest generation of radial tyres ideal for equipping high power tractors over 250 HP, and those requiring high load capacity. Furthermore the company is going to launch the first Trelleborg radial implement tyre in Hanover, which is the result of the technological synergy between the two brands. At the same time the Trelleborg TM2000 is being shown; the new generation of radial tyres for combine harvesters, created using Pirellis considerable agricultural experience.
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