Marangoni introduces Ringtread Blackline ICE202 drive pattern
Marangoni has enlarged its range of pre-cure rings and treads for winter applications with a new product, the Ringtread Blackline ICE202. This 3PMSF drive tyre pattern was developed with long-haul use and “severe winter conditions” in mind, such as those encountered in Nordic countries. The ICE202 is already available in size 315/70R22.5, with 275/70R22.5 and 295/80R22.5 to follow soon.
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Nikki McCluney joins First Stop as marketing manager
First Stop Tyre & Car Services has appointed Nikki McCluney as its new marketing manager. Formerly HiQ’s marketing manager, McCluney brings with her over 25 years marketing experience across automotive, fast fit and retail brands having previously worked for Goodyear Dunlop, Maxxis Tyres and Halfords. Indeed, she played a key role at the HiQ rebrand while at Goodyear Dunlop in 2007 and launched the chain’s concept store while in the role.
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Hankook is transforming itself into a system provider with the help of Reifen Müller
Over the past seven years, Hankook has firmly established its range of hot retreaded Alphatread tyres in many European markets. What began in Great Britain as part of a joint venture partnership is now being given a new boost in Central Europe. With the takeover of Reifen Müller in 2018, Hankook is now also the operator of its own retreading operation, which is being gradually expanded into a fully-fledged Hankook factory retreading factory - something colleagues at our German sister publication Neue Reifenzeitung found out. Now that Hankook is also manufacturing Alphatread tyres for Germany and neighbouring markets, the medium term is about much more than just a new product range: Hankook wants to redefine its position as a service provider on the commercial vehicle tyre market and establish itself as a system supplier. Customers in other European markets should also benefit from this. This article will appear in full in the September edition of Tyres & Accessories. Not yet a subscriber? You can change that here.
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Vipal congratulates Croatia’s Gumiimpex on 50th anniversary
The largest tyre retreader and distributor in Croatia is celebrating 50 years in business. Located in the city of Varaždin (81 km from the Croatian capital, Zagreb), Gumiimpex’s achievement was recognised by retreading materials manufacturer Vipal Rubber, which has supplied the firm since 2010, with a plaque in recognition of the milestone. Presenting the plaque to Gumiimpex, Vipal said it recognises the importance of building a history; it has almost 47 years on the market itself.
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Michelin Stoke production at normal level with ‘steady market growth’
After reopening its Stoke-on-Trent retreading factory following its closure for a scheduled maintenance break lengthened by the Coronavirus crisis, Tyres & Accessories spoke to Michelins UK factory manager Francois Levert about recent developments. The mileage trucks covered during the lockdown did not plummet as much as that of cars, but there have certainly been effects on demand. Levert confirmed at the end of June that the Michelin factory in Stoke-on-Trent is operational. A lot of work had previously been invested to ensure that we can work as safely and efficiently as possible. We are now at a normal production level, which is very gratifying. - This article will appear in full in the next edition of the Retreading Special supplement, distributed with the September edition of Tyres & Accessories. Not yet a subscriber? Click the button below to sign up.
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Top Treads resilient and adaptable despite challenging lockdown environment
It has been a case of business – but not as usual – for Top Treads, one of Bridgestone’s largest European Bandag franchisees as the company has faced “the most challenging working conditions ever encountered in the company’s history”.
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NeroForce introduces two new buffing technologies
NeroForce is introducing two new technologies that help improve buffing tasks during retread production – Densolit Carbides and X-technology for unit wheels.
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Europe’s newest retreader invests in a ‘particular service’
The tyre retreading business has stagnated in many European markets for years. Imports of new tyres from the Far East and the major tyre brands’ own, large-scale retreading plants place small and mid-sized retreaders across Europe under substantial competitive pressure. Although consolidation has become the rule in recent times, a remarkable exception to this rule – one characterised by entrepreneurship and persuasiveness – can be found in Germany’s retreading market: Owner-operated Reifen Quirmback in Zweibruchen, Rhineland-Palatinate has invested a seven-figure sum to develop its own truck tyre retreading, and by doing so enters a completely new business area. When we visited the site, we discovered a very good reason for entering this line of work.
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Start-up aims to automate and qualify used PCR tyre testing
TireTech has presented an automated solution to grade used tyres for reuse or disposal. The new and already patented, modularly configurable TP1 with Tire Measurement Reporting System (TMRS) can examine up to 400 used car tyres per hour. According to customer specifications it can sort and dispatch these for further application, such as retreading. Brain and Staudinger claim they’ve finally “brought automation to arbitrary, manual car tyre testing.” Click here for more details.
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Kraiburg Austria working to secure goods transport
The coronavirus crisis represents a challenge for almost all industries and markets in Europe and around the world. But tyres are system-relevant products that ensure, amongst other things, the uninterrupted transportation of goods and supply chain stability. In doing so, they contribute to securing the population’s basic requirements. Kraiburg Austria has adapted to the challenges associated with corona, aiming to guarantee all its partners receive the quality pre-cure and mould cure materials they require on time and with the expected high level of service.
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Coronavirus crisis hits retreading industry hard
The coronavirus crisis is global in its spread, but as generally known its affect so far has varied from country to country as well as from industry to industry. This is certainly the case within the retreading sector. While it’s been business as usual in Scandinavia and, to some extent, markets in the Baltic region, firms in Mediterranean countries, particularly Italy, were plunged into turmoil. Although the unanimous view amongst material suppliers in Europe – a lot can be read about the state of the market and its development from observing these companies’ business – is that Europe’s retreading market has slumped by around ten to 15 per cent up to and including May, forecasts for the remainder of the year vary. In doing so, they depend significantly upon the answer to one particular question: Are we experiencing a shortage of new tyres, as during Europe’s boom retreading years of 2010 and especially 2011? We asked how things look at two of Europe’s leading material suppliers – Kraiburg and Marangoni.
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One-of-a-kind Karl Kurz celebrates 65th company anniversary
Unique? Grand Seigneur? Warhorse? Pioneer? Master of his Trade? Globetrotter? Man of Action? Tinkerer? Entrepreneur? Decision Maker? Visionary? - Somehow, all these names fit Karl Kurz. In his 87 years, the entrepreneur has combined more characteristics in his person than any other in the recycling and retreading industry. We look back on an extraordinary career.
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BIPAVER: New leadership brings new clout
The retreading industry has worked hard over the years to compete with the new tyre industry and to be heard on political, economic and product issues at European level. Since the industry is strongly shaped by medium-sized and smaller companies, active and influential advocacy thus plays an important role, as we witnessed during the formulation and successful implementation of UNECE regulations 108 and 109 in 2006, a regulation effectively giving retreads type approval equivalency with new tyres. BIPAVER has spearheaded the retreading industry’s lobbying in Europe for many years now, and in April its administration and technical representation was taken over by the German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association (BRV). The association’s two managing directors, general secretary Yorick M. Lowin and technical secretary Michael Schwämmlein, explain why this change took place, what tasks the future holds and what they both can leverage together with BIPAVER’s committees.
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Fowler Welch renews contract with Bandvulc Tyres
Fowler Welch has extended its long-running tyre fitment and management contract with Continental Tyres subsidiary and retread specialist Bandvulc. Continental and Bandvulc tyres will be specified across the entire Fowler Welch fleet of 450 Euro 6 trucks and 750 temperature-controlled trailer units for a further three years, continuing the relationship between the companies, who have worked together since 2011.
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Marangoni Meccanica appoints new sales and marketing director
Marangoni Meccanica has appointed Tiziano Pancher as sales and marketing director. Pancher is now part of the top management, and reports to Riccardo Mastronardi, CEO of the Company.
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