Reports: Hankook to Build Indian or Malaysian Factory
Hankook executives are reportedly planning to build a new tyre production facility in either India or Malaysia. The news follows the announcement that Hankook is investing 230 million euros in increasing output at its Dunaujvaros, Hungary factory to 10 million tyres a year. Speaking to the Financial Times, Hankook executive Calvin Pak explained that the company’s next phase of expansion would be in south Asia “for example in India or Malaysia.” There was even talk of a North American plant “in the longer term.” Calvin Pak reportedly explained that Hankook’s competitive advantage over European manufacturers was that it had won quality accolades but remained “more affordable thanks to less of a brand premium.”
Continue ReadingVacu-Lug Extends Nightfreight Contract
Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres Ltd has renewed its national distribution contract with leading specialist delivery business Nightfreight and further extended its scope to include work previously handled in-house. As part of the new deal Nightfreight has renewed its dedicated 12-strong Vacu-Lug trailer fleet, all of which are fitted with Vacu-Lug Duramold WRE2 super-single tyres. Nightfreight has also taken responsibility for the operation of two specialist crane-equipped vehicles, which offer a nationwide tyre delivery and collection service for operators of earth movers and off-road vehicles.
Continue ReadingBrazil Imposes Tax On Chinese Tyres
The Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Commerce has imposed an additional tax of US$ 0.75 on each kilo of tyres imported from China. The decision was taken, says the CFC, as an anti-dumping measure to protect domestic markets and the new tax will come into force immediately. However, it could have been worse; at the same meeting the CFC also imposed a levy of US$ 12.47 on each pair of shoes imported from China.
Continue ReadingNew Holland Chooses AirBoss Tyres
New Holland in the UK has announced that it is to fit AirBoss segmented tyres as standard on its L160 skid steer loaders for the waste recycling industry. The tyre features puncture-proof segments attached to a specially tailored disc, which AirBoss says will reduce downtime and callout charges for equipment operators. Dave Goddard, senior sales executive at AirBoss said, "If a segment of the tyre does get damaged beyond repair, the operator of the skid steer can easily and safely unscrew the damaged segment and replace it. It is extremely rare for a segment to be damaged, but if it is, the fix doesn't require outside assistance or the replacement of the whole tyre and it can be completed by the operator in minutes".
Continue ReadingReifen China 2009 Aims to Connect Far Eastern and European Businesses
At the start of 2009, the Chinese Rubber Industry Association reported that, despite the global economic meltdown, China remains the world's fastest growing market. The Chinese tyre business is reportedly worth about $8 billion and accounts for 9 per cent of the world tyre market share. However with most of the world’s markets either struggling to recover or still nose-diving, the fact that July figures suggest Chinese passenger car tyre OE and replacement demand are actually up 10 and 20 per cent respectively is truly impressive. With this in mind, Messe Essen’s third Reifen China exhibition running from 11 – 13 November is likely to pique the interest of buyers, manufacturers and traders from around the world.
Continue ReadingKingpin Tyre Fire Expected To Burn All Week
Fire crews have been tackling flames, thick smoke and fumes and piles of burning material at the premises of Kingpin Tyre in Wem, Shropshire, since Tuesday. Firefighters said several mounds of “waste rubber,” covering an area of around 60 metres had caught fire. A report in the Whitchurch Herald said that plumes of black smoke could be seen up to 20 miles away as 200 tonnes of rubber went up in smoke and that firefighters expect to battle the blaze and control smouldering material for the best part of a week.
Continue ReadingInvestment News Boosts Hankook Shares
In South Korea, shares in Hankook Tire gained 1.84 per cent after the tyre manufacturer announced that it would invest 230 million euros ($334.9 million) by 2011 to expand its factory in Hungary.
Continue Reading"Check Your Tyres, Save [Fuel] Money" – TyreSafe
Hauliers, fleet operators and private motorists are being reminded that not only can they stay safe on the road but they can also reduce the impact of the recent fuel duty rise by keeping their tyres correctly inflated. According to research carried out by a major tyre manufacturer and member of TyreSafe, driving on tyres which are just ten psi under the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure can increase fuel consumption by 2.5 per cent. By keeping tyres at their correct pressures, motorists can travel further on each tank of fuel, reduce their CO2 emissions and stay safer.
Continue ReadingSuccess For Toyo Off-Road Drivers
In the USA, Team Toyo Off-Road drivers had a huge weekend during the 40th Anniversary BorgWarner World Championship Off-Road Races at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway recently. More than 40,000 fans at the Raceway, and thousands more watching the live broadcast by ABC television, saw Toyo-sponsored drivers set new track records in Pro 2WD and Pro 4X4, as well as winning the headline events including the BorgWarner World Championship for Pro 2WD and the BorgWarner Cup, which carried a prize of $40,000. In fact, Toyo-sponsored drivers scored a 1,2,3 in the prestigious Pro 4x4 race.
Continue ReadingSnap-on Tools Celebrates 5,000 Sales
In order to celebrate the 5,000th sale of its Solus Pro hand-held diagnostic tool, Snap-on Tools, the supplier of tools, tool storage and workshop equipment for the UK automotive aftermarket, has announced the introduction of celebratory carbon fibre-look edition. Launched in May 2008, the Solus Pro is the second generation of the mid-range model of Snap-on's 'family' of hand-held diagnostic tools and it was specifically designed to provide the technician with an even faster performance and more diagnostic data.
Continue ReadingMaxxis Recruits UK Heavy Truck Tyre Distributors
Having made headway in the UK passenger car and light truck segments, Maxxis reports that it is now on the lookout for heavy truck tyre distribution partners. The company’s main selling point (both to customers and potential distribution partners is the long term mileage performance of its products. According to the company, tests with leading UK fleets show the all-important PPM (pence per mile) figures achieved by the Maxxis 22.5 inch heavy truck range are on a par with those reported by the top brands. While the figures are not yet complete (due to the ongoing nature of the tests) company representatives told Tyres & Accessories the figures are still helping to “boost the brand’s credentials for quality, reliability and value in this sector.”
Continue ReadingInfinity Tyres Get Bandag Retreadability Certification
Infinity is now openly promoting both its light and heavy ranges as retreadable products after Bandag issued the following official certification: “In conjunction with Bandag and its distributors, Infinity truck tyres have received some very good reports for the quality of the casings which have recently been retreaded.” According to retreading systems and material supplier and franchiser, Infinity casings have “reasonable integrity” and “the quality of the casing is good”. As a result the Bandag certification says: “Infinity casings are fully suitable for retreading through Bandag dealers.” All Infinity truck tyres are manufactured to international standards under strong operational quality control systems and all Infinity Truck radial tyres bear “E” and “s” markings,” the statement explained.
Continue ReadingNDI UK: A New Competitive Option for Truck Tyres
Since the beginning of 2009, West Midlands based NDI UK has been evolving from a small regional tyre wholesaler/distributor into a nationwide tyre wholesaling option. According to the company, this progression can be directly attributed to the fact that it is part of one of Europe’s most competitive tyre distribution groups – Nordisk Daek Import A-S in Denmark. Ian Smith, managing director of NDI UK commented: “Up to the end of 2008, the company had been well known throughout the West Midlands but now we intend to work more closely with NDI Denmark in order to gradually become a respected wholesaler specialising in all market sectors from a small implement tyre right through to large earthmover patterns serving the entire UK market. Like NDI Denmark we intend to develop into a fully active multi-brand specialist offering a competitive combination of major ‘A’ brands plus numerous mid-range brands to suit all applications.”
Continue ReadingUniroyal Takes on Forest Tracks
Earlier this year Cumbrian operator John Miller Limited selected Uniroyal tyres for use in its general haulage fleet. The reason? The tyres stood up to real-life tests consisting of frequent journeys of up to 20 miles on unpaved forest tracks as part of the company’s timber fleet. Now they’re fitting them to steer axles on Mercedes-Benz Actros tractors on general haulage work and looking to achieve up to 180,000 kilometres of life before they go for regrooving.
Continue ReadingNew GTRadial and Primewell Tyres
As part of GITI Tire’s ongoing programme of product developments (see June Tyres & Accessories for further details), the company has added four patterns to its Primewell and GTRadial branded truck ranges. Three of the four new patterns (PTL711, PDM331 and PAM532) are being added to the Primewell range.
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