Part Of Its Plastics Division To Be Sold By Cooper
Cooper Tire is to sell a part of its automotive plastics division for an undisclosed cash sum. The purchaser is Plastech Engineered Products. The plastics division accounts for around 4% of company turnover.
Continue ReadingTruck Tyre Retreading By Michelin
Michelin has long been established as a leader in the European truck tyre retreading market with its famous Remix process, but now the French company has turned its attentions to the US retreading market, where it is causing quite a stir. The size of the market is enormous; according to the Tire Retread Information Bureau, in 1999 there were 18.1 million large truck retreads sold, compared with 15.7 million new truck tyres, and Michelin has announced its intention to double its market share, from 10.2% to 24.6% by the year 2002. The company has done this not through using the Remix process, but by cold cure retreading, forming Michelin Retread Technologies Inc. (MRTI) and signing up licensees. By March, Michelin had 37 such franchisees signed up and expects this figure to increase to fifty by the year end. As a comparison, Goodyear has some 167 truck tyre retreading partners in North America. Michelin’s cold cure retreading process is called Recamic and it uses rubber produced by Michelin. Like Remix, Recamic is promoted as a premium product. For those retreading partners who may be looking for something a little cheaper, Michelin produces Newlife, a less expensive alternative. The article in May’s TYRES & ACCESSORIES examines Michelin’s commitment to retreading, both in Europe and outside, and looks at the retread market itself.
Continue ReadingComplete Brake Systems Supplied By Continental
Beginning in 2001, Continental Teves of North America will supply Fords and Mazdas sports utility vehicles Escape and Tribute with complete brake systems, amounting to approximately 250.000 units a year.
Continue ReadingElement Of Surprise In Tokyo And Hanover
The Bridgestone Group seems to be surprised by the Joint-Venture of Goodyear and Michelin regarding the PAX and Run Flat Technologies. The Group is studying and analysing the project. Somebody, who does not want to be named, said there was also surprise in Hanover when a French colleague or competitor called a few days before the announcement.
Continue ReadingBrand Extension For Michelin
The Michelin brand is strong in tyres, maps, tourist, hotel and restaurant guides. The Michelin brand name is an asset in itself, so together with The Licensing Company (TALC, London) the tyre maker will target other consumer goods markets through a licensing programme using the brand name and also Bibendum, the Michelin Man.
Continue ReadingPolicy Of Appeasement From Michelin?
In a telephone conference on 28th July, following an earlier profits warning and subsequent fall in Michelin shares of around 10%, the management tried to explain the reasons for the profits warning. June was a bad month but there is still hope that the company will achieve an EBIT comparable to that of the first half of 1999. Exact figures will not be available until September. The problems are in the USA, where it was not possible to obtain better prices for truck tyres. On the other hand, the increase in raw materials prices (rubber, oil, carbon black), forecast to be about 3%, will now, it seems, be more like 4 or 5%.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg Wheel Systems Launches Pirelli TM600
The joint venture company Trelleborg Wheel Systems has launched its first product since the company was formed – the Pirelli TM600 radial tractor tyre. TWS specialises in agricultural and forestry tyres and turns over 320 million Euro a year. The new tyre has an 85 series aspect ratio, which is an unusual sector for the company, as Pirelli has in the past concentrated on lower profile tyres. However, Mr. Maurizio Vischi, MD and General Manager of TWS, explained that this sector, although declining, still accounts for 55% of the market. If TWS wants to be the technical leader in all areas of the market (which is its ambition) then it needs an 85 series tubeless tyre. The TM600 will be sold on an added value basis – although it is by no means the cheapest in its class, it offers the customer longer life, better fuel consumption, less soil compaction and increased productivity. These claims are the result of a year’s testing in the field. Initially, the TM600 will be available in 14 sizes, rising to 23 in time. It will replace the Pirelli TM200 and TM300. TYRES & ACCESSORIES spoke to both Mr. Vischi and Mr. Anders Pettersson (President of TWS). Both are extremely pleased with the way the two organisations (Pirelli and Trelleborg) have integrated across Europe and there are hints that the company is looking to grow through acquisitions as well as organic growth. TWS is aiming to expand geographically too and the USA has been targeted as a market with particular potential for the specialist agricultural tyre company.
Continue ReadingThird Blimp Crash Within A Year
In October last year the Goodyear blimp Spirit of Akron crashed in the Akron area. On August 10th a gust of wind damaged the gondola of the blimp Spirit of the South Pacific and on August the 20th the blimp Stars & Stripes crashed in Philadelphia. Nobody was hurt. Stars & Stripes, one of seven airships operated by the tyre manufacturer worldwide, will be rebuilt, says Goodyear. In the meantime, the company is examining other ways to fulfil its TV commitments, including hiring a blimp, helicopters and planes.
Continue ReadingAgain Price Increases for Rubber Blacks in Europe
Unprecedented crude oil and crude oil products have pushed production costs for carbon black ever higher.This, combined with the low value of the Euro have again led Degussa-Hüls AG to raise prices for rubber blacks to 40 Euro per metric ton. Prices effective from 15th November.
Continue ReadingMilitary Contracts For Goodyear Worth $16 Million
Goodyear has won new and extended contracts for off-the-road tyres from the US Army, valued at $16 m. One is an $11.5 m deal to supply AT-2A traction tyres (size 14.00R20) for five-ton cargo trucks. The extended contract is for $4.5 m to supply the same tyres in size 16.00R20.
Continue ReadingNow Tyre Problems For Goodyear In USA
Reports in American newspapers suggest tyre tread separation problems with Goodyear tyres are being linked to eight deaths. The Goodyear 16 inch Load Range E tyres received a design alteration five years ago, but no recall was made. Goodyear said it had found no faults in the tyres, but did settle several lawsuits arising from the incidents. Amounts and details of the agreements have been kept secret. However, the lawsuits were very similar to those currently facing Firestone.
Continue ReadingCosmetic Cracks Compound Firestone Troubles
Cosmetic cracks found in the sidewalls of Bridgestone/Firestone tyres fitted to Toyota Tundra and Sequoia trucks have resulted in more attention for the troubled tyre giant. Cracks were discovered by workers at Toyotas Indiana plant and 2001 model Sequoias not yet delivered to dealers have been fitted with Dunlop tyres as a precautionary measure. Toyota plan to resume using Firestones shortly, and Firestone has given assurances that the cosmetic cracks do not in any way affect safety. The tyres were manufactured at their Wilson North Carolina plant, where Steeltex brand tyres, under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are also manufactured. However, Spokesperson for Firestone , Christine Karbiwiak said, There is no reason to believe there is a defect at the Wilson plant.
Continue ReadingAward for Bridgestone’s Superbike Tyre “Battlax 010”
The British magazine Motorcycle News has tested motorcycle tyres for machines over 600 cc. Bridgestones BT 010 has won the title Product of the Year in its class due to its extraordinarily good performance. The editor of the magazine underlined in particular the durability and the price-performance relation.
Continue ReadingMichelin To Enter Formula 1
Speculations have come to an end: Michelin will participate in Formula 1 racing from the 2001 season. Initially, the company will supply tyres to the BMW/Williams team and, at some time before 2003, Michelin will team up with Team Toyota, who confirmed their entry into the sport earlier this week. Michelin has competed in F1 before, from 1977 to 1984, winning three Drivers and two Constructors titles. The reason for entering the sport now is to increase world-wide recognition for the Michelin brand.
Continue ReadingMotorway Retreads Consultation Ends
Employees at Motorway Retreads have accepted that the proposal to move all car tyre retreading to the EWS (Environmental Waste Solutions) groups Durham site (Colway) is the only commercially sensible decision. Staff numbers will be reduced, primarily through voluntary redundancy. Production of truck retreads will continue at Motorways Knighton site and sister company Waste Tyre Solutions will operate a casing inspection hub. EWS is the parent company of the retreaders Colway and Motorway Retreads.
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