Trelleborg buys Hebei plant, expands into Chinese specialty tyre market
Trelleborg has acquired an operation in Xingtai, Hebei Province, eastern China, in a move designed to facilitate the group’s expansion in the Chinese market for specialty, primarily agricultural tyres. Trelleborg has acquired an existing facility from a Chinese company, part of the US Group Maine Industrial Tire LLC, and will also transfer approximately 180 employees. The acquisition and investments total approximately 100 million Swedish krona (£9.641 million; 11.45 million euros; US$15.54 million) over a three-year period. Production under the Trelleborg name is expected to commence during the second quarter of 2011.
Continue ReadingStarco begins online store rollout
Details of the comprehensive Starco range of tyres and related products have long been available in catalogue form, and the company has now taken the first step in transferring this information online. Customers in Germany are the first to experience the company’s new “STARCOshop” and Starco intends to roll out online catalogues for its aftermarket customers throughout the whole of Europe within two years.
Continue ReadingDunlop Aircraft Tyres lands Korean helicopter deal
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has announced the signing of a major deal with Korea Aerospace Industries. The Birmingham-based manufacturer will be the exclusive supplier of tyres for its new Korean utility helicopter, the Surion. The aircraft is being developed to replace South Korea’s aging fleet of 500MD and UH-1H aircraft. The Surion made its first flight early in 2010 and more than 245 are on order.
Continue ReadingJames Nuttall switches truck fleet to Michelin Energy tyres for fuel efficiency
National haulier James Nuttall (Transport) is moving its truck fleet on to Michelin’s Energy tyres following outstanding results from a year-long trial. The company is seeking ways to reduce costs, and with the increases in fuel prices, the company has devoted some attention to ways in which consumption can be lowered. The transport operator reports that it recorded a 5.08 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency when using Michelin’s XZA 2 Energy and XDA 2 Energy tyres compared to the fleet’s existing XZE 2+ and XDE 2+ fitments, which are principally designed for regional haulage. Performance was measured using two identical Scania R 420 6x2 tractor units.
Continue ReadingYokohama Rubber announces senior management promotions
On 14 February 2011, the board of directors of Yokohama Rubber decided the following management changes in board membership and corporate officers, which take effective on 1 April 2011. The changes include the promotion of Hikomitsu Noji to director and senior managing corporate officer, president of Tire Group. He is currently director and managing corporate officer, president of the Tire Group, general manager of Tire Global Production Division.
Continue ReadingAuto Windscreens enters administration
Despite it being Valentine’s day, there was no love lost between Auto Windscreens and the HMRC on 14 February 2011. That’s the day the UK's second largest windscreen repair company went into administration, threatening 1,100 jobs, apparently owing money to the good old Inland Revenue.
Continue ReadingTata Motors to build Nano car factory in Indonesia in 2013
Tata Motors is considering building a manufacturing unit in Indonesia which will be used to manufacture the famous Tata Nano model. According to Indian motoring sources, the plan is under “constant vigilance” by the various study teams. The report cited a Tata spokesperson as saying “Yes, we will be establishing a manufacturing unit in Jakarta. We will be announcing this piece of news shortly, but till then it is all under wraps.”
Continue ReadingContinental gains Audi R8, RS3 and A1 OE
Continental has gained new OE approvals from Audi for both quattro models R8 and RS3, the luxury A8 saloon and the compact A1. The sporty models come equipped with Continental's high-tech ContiSportContact 5 P as well as the economical ContiPremiumContact 2, whilst the A1 is being fitted with the ContiSportContact 3 and the ContiPremiumContact 2. 19-inch diameter tyres have been approved on R8, with tyres up to 21 inches destined for the A8. The RS3 is being fitted with 19-inch tyres, while for the A1 has a choice of 15, 16 and 18-inch sizes.
Continue ReadingTGI Opens New Logistics Base in China
Tire Group International (TGI) has opened a new logistics office in Xiamen, China. The location will be overseen by Emma Luo, who comes to TGI with experience in international freight forwarding and logistics operations, having spent 7 years with Schenker & Bax Global logistics, the company said.
Continue ReadingCV market experiencing ‘invasion’ of low cost trucks
The global commercial vehicle market is experiencing a “growing invasion of “low-cost trucks”, according to analysts from Frost & Sullivan. These trucks, mostly from Asian OEMs, are priced approximately 20-25 per cent lower than conventional trucks and are penetrating markets all over the world. In response the analysts are holding a free “European Threats and Opportunities” web conference on 22 February 2011 at 15:00 BST hosted by research analyst, Ryan Carmichael.
Continue ReadingMSP calls for Highland community nurses to get winter tyres
Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has called for community nurses working in rural parts of the Scottish Highlands to be provided winter tyres as standard in the colder months. Currently the nurses have to pay for the tyres themselves under car leasing agreements. Ms Grant, the Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Highlands and Islands said it was "ludicrous" nurses were having to foot the bill.
Continue ReadingSumitomo Rubber warns on earnings, to raise prices 7%
Sumitomo Rubber Industries announced full year 2010 results and issued a profit warning on 9 February, but analysts warned that while positive sales projections look conservative the firm may have underestimated raw material costs as well. During the last financial year, higher raw materials prices reportedly cut earnings by 30.6 billion yen year-on-year and yen appreciation had an adverse impact to the tune of 5.0 billion. While higher selling prices boosted profits by 8.9 billion yen and volume/composition is said to have given a 39.8 billion yen boost. Higher productivity also contributed to earnings.
Continue ReadingMaxxis rewards leading retailers with Shanghai trip
Maxxis International thanked its top 18 performing retailers of 2010 – the winners of the top prize in the Maxxis Rewards programme – by taking them on a seven-day, all expenses paid trip to China. A mix of culture and business, the visit combined sightseeing visits to major attractions in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Shuzhou with a tour of the Maxxis factory in Kunshan.
Continue ReadingRetread Tire Association to discuss safety with SAE
United States organisation the Retread Tire Association has announced that it will be represented at the Society of Automotive Engineers Work Truck Safety Committee meeting in Las Vegas on 24 March. It will discuss the safety, economic and environmental benefits of using retreads on ready mix concrete trucks.
Continue ReadingInfinity Tyres supports SAATHI initiative
Infinity Tyres was the first supporter this year of the SAATHI social advocacy initiative, which strives to achieve “a better quality of living for individuals with special needs.” In line with Infinity’s mission to give back to the community, the company reports that it is finding “unique ways to make a difference in our local communities.”
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