Goodyear And The Dunlop Acquisition
A comprehensive article in TYRES & ACCESSORIES (We were hoping for architects, but so far we have only seen cost-cutters) commented critically on the Goodyear acquisition of both the Dunlop activities in Europe and North America and the joint venture with Sumitomo in Japan, with all their particular opportunities and consequences. While Goodyears CEO Sam Gibara accepted that the facts had been reported correctly, he did not agree with much of the analysis. At the Goodyear head office in Akron, Ohio around Easter time, he gave a detailed and exclusive interview, in which he explained the reasons for, and the background to, the acquisition and the joint venture. Furthermore, Gibara was forthcoming about why cooperation with Dunlop is so important that he is even willing to accept a temporary interference in the balance sheet.
Continue ReadingTyre Hearing Claims Disputed By Goodyear
Goodyear has disputed data cited at the congressional hearing into the Ford/Firestone dispute. The company claims to have submitted its own safety data and is questioning the committees interpretation of the data they have already received. According to Goodyear the Ford data of damage claims of five parts per million is based on a Ford standard and that a damage claim does not reflect a defect. Goodyear added that the use of relevant data and comparisons by the committee will remedy any consumer confusion of fears.
Continue ReadingSmuggled Tyres Hurt Ethiopian Economy
Tyres smuggled into Ethiopia through the port of Djibouti cost the Government 64 m. Birr (8.8 m Euro) in lost import duty every year. The illegal trade has affected the Addis tyre factory, which has cut production and laid off workers. Losses incurred by the factory and importers are estimated at 196 m Birr (26.98 m Euro). The problem is a serious one: Berhanu Mewa, President of the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce, warned that failure to control the smuggling would cripple the countrys economy.
Continue ReadingNew presidents For Goodyear Chemical And Engineered Products
Tim Toppen, former president of Goodyear Chemical, has been named as president, Goodyear Engineered Products. This follows the sudden death of Tave Mallamaci, president of GEP since August last year. Toppen has been with Goodyear since 1978. His replacement as president of Goodyear Chemical is Jonathan Rich, who was director of chemical R&D, and who joined the tyre company last September. Both moves are effective immediately.
Continue ReadingNew Customer For Tirex Recycled Rubber
Canadian company Tirex has announced that Animat Inc. of Quebec has placed an order for recycled rubber to produce rubber mats. The order runs initially for a year and is for a monthly minimum of 100,000 lbs of Rutextm, the recycled rubber product produced by Tirexs cryogenic tyre recycling technology.
Continue ReadingNow Pirelli Approved For Jaguar X-Type
Pirelli P6000 Powergy and PZero Asimmetrico tyres have been approved for five models of Jaguars new X-Type compact sport saloon, for the European markets. The tyres chosen are 205/55 R16 91V (Powergy) and 225/45 ZR 17 91Y (PZero Asimmetrico), and the contract continues a relationship that began in 1985. Recently, Pirellis Wheel and Tyre Assembly Division, which started operations in 1999 to supply Jaguars car plants in Coventry and Castle Bromwich, recently produced its one millionth wheel and tyre assembly during a production run of PZero tyres for X-Type.
Continue ReadingTyre Industry United Relief Fund
The Tire Association of North America (TANA), the Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB), the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and Tire Review have announced the creation of The One Fund. A unified effort to collect and distribute donations to the victims of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre. Donations will be accepted through until February 2002 and will be distributed to named benefactors.
Continue ReadingContinental “Expects To Sell National Tyre Service This Year”
Manfred Wennemer, management board chairman of Continental AG, is reported to have said that the company expects to sell its UK equity chain National Tyre Service by the end of this year. Earlier this year, Continental UK closed Nationals truck tyre operations when it formed ContiNetwork; a partnership with independent truck tyre service providers. This left 210 retail outlets in the National chain. A spokesman in Hanover confirmed Mr. Wennemers comment, but would not reveal any further details. The news was only revealed because Continental had to enter a figure into the fourth quarter accounts which was picked up by analysts.
Continue ReadingSharp Decline In Continental’s North American Business
Continental Tire and Continental Teves North America are expecting a massive decline in original equipment business in the fourth quarter. The shortfall will probably be as much as 500,000 car and light truck tyres, or 15 percent of Continentals oe volume. In November it is planned to cut production. The oe business of Continental Teves will be reduced by 20 percent.
Continue ReadingLoss In Market Share Not Without A Fight
The management of Bridgestone/Firestone USA has made it very clear that it will do everything in its power to revitalise the Firestone brand and losses in market share will not be accepted without a fight. It is expected that the company will embark on one of the biggest advertising and marketing campaigns in the groups history.
Continue ReadingWhich? Report On Fast-Fits – What Do You Think?
In a report in its magazine Which? the Consumers Association criticises UK fast-fits, accusing them of recommending unnecessary work on customers vehicles. What do you think? Is such criticism justified? Is dishonesty rife in the fast-fit trade? Or is Which? overstating the problem? Whatever your connection with the tyre trade, or if you are a customer, we welcome your opinions and ideas. Read our article (PDF file, size: 44.5 kbytes, Adobe Acrobat Reader required) first and e-mail us your comments – this is a matter which has profound implications for the image of fast-fits and this is your chance to have your say.
Continue ReadingReshuffle At Cooper-Avon
Cooper-Avon Tyres has reshuffled many of its management team. André Korynevsky – responsible until now for retreading materials – has been appointed European Sales Director, liaising with the companys offices in Germany, France and Switzerland. He will continue to manage the retread materials business. Phil Caris is the new European Sales & Marketing Director with responsibility for multi-brand strategies, coordinating global product management. As European Major Accounts Director, Steve Cundy will head a team of three, which will service the business with European retail chains, marketing Avon house and private brands, as well as developing fleet business.
Continue ReadingSubsidiary Company To Develop Nokian Intelligent Tyre Technology
Nokian has established a subsidiary company for commercialising and internationalising its recently-created intelligent tyre technology (ITT). The company is called RoadSnoop Ltd. and it will be responsible for the product development, production and marketing of ITT. Called the RoadSnoop Safety System, it consists of lightweight sensors installed in the tyres which monitor tyre pressures and temperatures. Should the pressure drop, the system sends an alert to the drivers mobile phone, in-car computer, or even to a separate display at a garage forecourt.
Continue Reading2000 Figures From Nokian
Nokian Tyres has released financial results for last year. Net sales were 398.5 m Euro, 23.5 per cent higher than 1999. Allowing for acquisitions made during the year, the figure was 359.8 m Euro, or 11.5 per cent higher. Operating profit was 39.4 m Euro (1999: 42.1 m), affected by a 1.7 m Euro loss incurred by the tyre retail chain. Net profit was 19.8 m Euro (1999: 25.7 m).
Continue Reading“Sam” Gibara Joins SRI Board
Samir G. Gibara (61), chairman and chief executive officer of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, has been elected to the board of directors of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. in Kobe, Japan. Gibaras election is in conjunction with Goodyears 10 percent ownership of SRI, following the companies global alliance, completed in September 1999. This ownership makes Goodyear SRIs second-largest shareholder. SRI holds 1.4 percent of Goodyears common stock.
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