Chinese manufacturers receive mixed results in Reach compliance test
The use of ‘high-PAH’ extender oils in tyres manufactured for sale within the European Union has been prohibited under the Reach regulation since January 1, 2010. This restriction was heeded by firms producing within the EU and appropriate modifications to the manufacturing process made before the deadline, and the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) reports the confirmation of these producers’ compliance by independent testing. However the ETRMA notes “strong industry concern” exists as to whether all tyres imported into the European Union are being tested for compliance. For this reason the ETRMA itself took on the task of testing 45 brands of tyre – 110 tyres in total – that are currently offered for sale within the European Union. The results confirmed that the association’s apprehension was not unfounded.
Continue ReadingVan den Ban – ready for the next 40 years
In August 2009 Dutch wholesaler Van den Ban Autobanden opened its new ‘Logistic Tyre Centre’ in the town of Hellevoetsluis. Those seeking a detailed description of the hi-tech warehouse facility can find it in the March 2010 edition of Tyres & Accessories, yet it is definitely worth mentioning that the material handling system used is without parallel in the tyre industry and enables the fully automated and mechanised internal transport, sorting and order picking of all tyres housed within the 24,000 square metre building; last year it smoothly dispatched more than 5,0 million tyres to customers throughout the region. Back when the centre opened, construction work on Van den Ban’s new administrative headquarters was underway on an adjacent greenfield site; last October this new head office building officially opened, marking the conclusion of Van den Ban’s two-stage expansion project. The wholesaler says it is now fully equipped to take on the ever evolving market and any challenges it may bring.
Continue ReadingCooper acquires 100% share in Kunshan JV operation
By mid-March Cooper Tire & Rubber should be the proud 100 per cent owner of Cooper Kenda Tire. Upon finalisation of the US$116.5 million transaction the former 50 per cent Cooper owned joint venture operation will be renamed Cooper Kunshan Tire (contingent to government approval) in recognition of the city in China where it is headquartered. According to Cooper Tire, the transaction should be completed by March 15 through a wholly-owned company subsidiary.
Continue ReadingEC approves switchable battery research project
Automotive supplier Continental and ten other European and Israeli companies active in the electric vehicle sector, have joined together to form ‘Easybat’, a consortium dedicated to furthering EV development. On March 2 the consortium announced formal approval from the European Commission for a research and development programme into means of facilitating the European production of electric cars with switchable batteries. The March 2 announcement is the first switchable battery electric car project approved by the Commission.
Continue ReadingMichelin introduces XZR
Michelin North America has released a new tyre suitable for applications such as materials handling and airport ground support vehicles. Called the XZR, the new tyre is one the manufacturer says “provides increased operator comfort, speed capability and traction compared to the current Michelin offering for these applications.”
Continue ReadingMichelin launches Power Cup 2011
Michelin has announced a provisional schedule for the 2011 Michelin Power Cup race series, whose entry list has grown to almost 60 riders following its first UK season last year. The series offers motorcycle racers “unprecedented amounts of track time and prizes, including tyres and sponsors’ products,” says Michelin, with TV coverage courtesy of Motors TV. The season consists of eight rounds with three 12-15 lap sprint races for 600cc and 1000cc classes at each round. The season will run from March to October with provisional stages at Brands Hatch (12-13 March), Mallory Park (16-17 April), Anglesey (28-29 May), Snetterton (18-19 June and 29-30 October), Pembrey (16-17 July), Cadwell Park (20-21 August) and Oulton Park (17 September).
Continue ReadingGoodyear introduces UltraGrip 8 winter tyre at Brand Event
Alongside the launch of the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 at Goodyear's brand event in Seville was the introduction of the eighth generation of Goodyear's UlraGrip cold weather tyre range. “The confusion surrounding winter tyres must be resolved,” says Gerrit Huysmans of Belgium’s Association of Tyre Manufacturers, FederAuto, a statement that Jean-Pierre Jeusette, Goodyear’s director of tyre technology for consumer tyres in EMEA, agrees: “What the consumer often doesn’t know is that winter tyres are developed using very specific rubber compounds that perform much better at lower temperatures... Add to that the fact that the tread pattern of winter tyres is also optimised for maximum grip as well as water and slush evacuation, and you begin to understand why there is a very real difference in performance.” A search for “winter tyres” on tyrepress.com would suggest that the fierce European winters of the last two years have increased knowledge of speciality cold weather considerably; the latest figures suggest the market volume has risen 20 per cent in that time, with a marked increase in the UK – often considered to have more growth room than any comparable country.
Continue ReadingEffiplus passenger car tyres gain Nom accreditation
Chinese tyre manufacturers Techking has announced that its Effiplus passenger car tyres recently received Nom accreditation (the national Mexican Safety Certificate).
Continue ReadingConti to support ‘double-digit’ 2011 growth with increased investment
Following a 2010 in which set targets were “clearly surpassed”, Continental AG says it aims to achieve double-digit growth this year. At the company’s Annual Financial Press Conference, held on March 3 in the German city of Frankfurt, CEO Dr. Elmar Degenhart reported a sales growth of almost 30 per cent, to 26 billion euros. This represents record sales for the automotive supplier, a personal best also matched by a record operating result.
Continue ReadingThink Bike' campaign – is it working?
As the spring weather arrives, many motorcyclists will be checking their bikes over and heading out for the first ride of the year. While they only make up a tiny proportion of the UK’s road traffic, motorcyclists account for a disproportionately high number of serious accidents on Britain’s roads every year – 10 per cent of all serious and fatal accidents, according to research from the Department of Transport. To try and reduce this number and to make other road users more aware of the vulnerability of motorcyclists, the government relaunched the ‘Think Bike’ campaign in 2006. But has the campaign had the desired effect? Are road users more aware of motorcyclists?
Continue ReadingStrike action may halt Hankook Hungary production
The Budapest Business Journal brings news of a potential wage related strike at Hankook’s plant in Hungary. Production apparently may come to a halt there “within days” following the establishment of a workers’ strike committee; the union representing employees at the South Korean manufacturer’s Rácalmás facility is reported as saying more than 1,700 Hankook workers there are now earning less than last year following the introduction of tax changes in January 2011. Talks with management over a potential pay increase have already begun, however the newspaper shares that Hankook Tire Magyarország Kft said a strike committee has been set up as an agreement over the size of the proposed pay rise “looked distant.”
Continue ReadingISO 14001 certification, factory expansion for VMI Yantai
VMI Yantai has received its second ISO certification within the last 12 months following its certification according to ISO 14001 by Lloyds Register Company. The Chinese subsidiary of Dutch tyre and rubber machinery manufacturer VMI Holland BV notes that both certifications were achieved “in close cooperation” between VMI Yantai, VMI Holland and parent company TKH Group NV. “TKH takes its Corporate Social Responsibility very seriously,” reports a VMI Holland press statement. “VMI Yantai is also well aware of its social duty and has made corporate social responsibility one of its strategic priorities for the coming years.”
Continue ReadingDeldo ready for the coming year
We’ve just emerged from a season that saw winter tyre sales go through the roof, and the word from many within the wholesale and retail industry is that if you couldn’t make a profit selling tyres during the winter of 2010/11, you really should find yourself a new vocation. Belgium based wholesaler Deldo Autobanden N.V. needn’t worry; it says that the winter season and 2010 in general was “very good” for the company – and not just because of its strong winter tyre sales. When speaking with Tyres & Accessories, Deldo international sales and marketing manager Rutger Veerman shared that last year the wholesaler built upon a recent pattern of growth, and is continuing to do so.
Continue ReadingKwik-Fit: Business as usual for fleet customers
Kwik Fit Group’s fleet division has added its voice to Stapleton’s in saying that, following the tyre retail giant’s takeover by Itochu, it is business as usual. In a press statement the fleet business said: “following the sale agreement it is ‘business as usual’ for fleet and retail customers across its network in the UK as well as in the Netherlands and France where the company also operates.”
Continue ReadingItochu's Kwik-Fit and Stapleton’s to be run as separate entities
Following the news that the Japanese conglomerate that own Stapleton’s Tyre Services has bought Kwik-Fit, Itochu has clarified that while the group is interested in “know-how” synergies between the businesses, they will continue to be run as completely separate entities.
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