New Appointment for Rockwell Automation’s Tyre Initiative
Industrial automation control and information solutions specialist Rockwell Automation has named John Genovesi vice president of its automotive, tyre and rubber industry initiative. In his new role, Genovesi will lead the company’s global sales efforts directed at helping tyremakers, as well as those in the automotive, component and rubber manufacturing industries, compete on a global basis. Regarding his new role, Genovesi commented: “With the automotive, tyre and rubber industries facing some of the most challenging market conditions ever, partnering with a knowledgeable automation supplier has become increasingly important. With years of successful automotive, tyre and rubber industry experience, Rockwell Automation has helped many of today’s leading manufacturers optimize production processes, improve uptime and identify new opportunities for operational efficiency. I look forward to helping manufacturers grow their businesses in this evolving industry.”
Continue ReadingCement Plant Begins Use of Tyres as Fuel
Cement manufacturer Cemex began burning shredded tyres as a fuel at their Rugby facility on March 29, following being granted the final required clearance to do so. The company’s decision to use a tyre-based fuel has been controversial, with local action groups fighting to block such a move. The group ‘Rugby in Plume’ has even sought to petition the House of Lords, claiming that the burning of tyres will release fumes that are dangerous to the public – despite Environment Agency findings to the contrary.
Continue ReadingSales and Marketing Appointments at Pirelli North America
Pirelli Tire North America has reorganized its sales and marketing organization. The announcement coincides with the news that Peter Tyson, VP Communications and Motor Sport, Pierluigi Dinelli, Director of Marketing, and Giovanni Ricci, Supply Chain and Pricing will return to management positions in Europe. The Pirelli North American sales and marketing effort has been re-organized, largely by promotion from within its existing team. Dan O’Shaughnessy is promoted to the newly created position of Regional Sales Director, reporting to Riccardo Cichi, Vice President Sales. He will be responsible for all regional sales and all Pirelli’s Regional Sales Managers will report to him.
Continue ReadingCoker Tire Pumps Up Hot Rods with New Releases
Coker Tire, the worlds largest supplier of collector vehicle tyres, is promoting the availability of its new BFGoodrich Silvertown Blackwall. Recognized as a great choice for fitment on street rods, hot rods, customs or quality restorations, these tyres are said to deliver a street-mean look coupled with modern reliability, safety and comfort. Cokers new BFGoodrich 285/70R15 Silvertown Blackwall is S-Speed rated and features the popular V-Block tread pattern to maintain an authentic, timeless look. At 30.75-inches in diameter, with a cross-section of 11.5 inches and a tread width of 8.60 inches, the Silvertown Blackwall delivers a wide and tall, aggressive stance, making it easy to achieve a natural rake on hot rods and customs when matched up with a smaller front tire in a Big-Little Combo.
Continue ReadingTread Rubber Up in 2007: RMA
(Akron/Tire Review) RMA predicts that 2007 tread rubber shipments will be up 2.3 per cent from 2006. Sales of retreaded medium truck tyres fell some 4 per cent in 2006 versus the year prior, a decline driven primarily by heavy purchases of new tractors ahead of implementation of new diesel emissions regulations. RMA said the predicted increase represents some 230,000 retreaded tyres, covering all market segments, and said the anticipated increases will come primarily in the OTR and truck tyre segments, where replacement market sales are expected to be up slightly.
Continue ReadingUltra High Performance
Attending the Geneva Motor Show is a great opportunity to see the newest vehicles around close-up, not to mention a good chance to check-out which tyres car manufacturers are brandishing on the latest concepts and releases. So when, after visiting the motor show, Tyres & Accessories was given the opportunity to drive a beautiful Ferrari F430 from Geneva back to London on Pirelli Sotto Zero cold weather tyres, we jumped at the chance. Put the car through its paces, they said. Drive it on snow and take the tyres to the limit, they said. And we would have done, had there have been any. But in March even the Alps are short on snow and ice. There were, however, plenty of mountain roads; more than a sprinkle of rain; and cold temperatures consistently below seven degrees. So while the sight of the F430 sports coupe sticking to sheet ice was out of the question, driving on wet “snow-chain only” Alpine roads in March was definitely on the menu. And the truth is these conditions are probably more akin to what the drivers experience during the majority of the cold weather season.
Continue ReadingSynthetic Rubber – Cheaper but Inferior
The latest rubber consumption data from India suggest that high natural rubber prices are causing tyremakers to increase the percentage of synthetic rubber used in their products. Statistics for the period between April and December 2006, in comparison to the same months the previous year, show a 15 per cent growth in synthetic rubber consumption. This contrasts with the much smaller 2.35 increase in the consumption of natural rubber recorded during the same period. In Europe, the established natural rubber/synthetic rubber ratio is 80:20. This is mainly due to the superior vulcanising qualities of natural rubber, an important consideration in truck and OTR tyres. Indian tyre manufacturers have previously reported that their optimum natural/synthetic rubber ratio is 78:22, but in recent months it appears that this ratio has been stretched to 70:30, about the maximum technically feasible.
Continue ReadingMichelin to Spend US$300 million in China
Michelin is reportedly preparing to spend US$300 million expanding its tyre production facilities in China. The French tyremaker has signed agreements with officials from the Liaonong (northeast China) provincial government related to new truck and passenger car tyre projects. When the two projects are implemented, the companys existing base in Shenyang, the capital city of Liaoning, will become the worlds largest tyre production base.
Continue ReadingTop Marks for Conti Automotive in “Auto Motor und Sport” Brake Test
The top six vehicles in Auto Motor und Sport magazines 2006 brake test (published January 1/2007) are equipped with brake components and systems supplied by Continental Automotive Systems. Ten passenger cars and SUVs took part in the tests. Six of them were assessed overall as good.
Continue ReadingDamascus Road Experience
That’s it – I’m converted. If I previously had any niggling hesitancies about the need for run-flat or cold-weather tyres, the events of the previous few weeks have well and truly seen them off. And don’t even get me started about indirect tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS)! So far 2007 has seen two bouts of snow hit most of Great Britain. In mid-February thousands of schools closed and traffic ground to a halt because a measly inch or two fell. Thinking back I saw dozens of cars squirm and understeer on the thin layer of motorway slush, largely because there was hardly a cold weather tyre in sight.
Continue ReadingWheel Loss Safety Campaign to be Launched at CV Show
Disc-Lock Europe, maker and European distributor of the award-winning Disc-Lock Safety Wheel Nut will launch its new campaign, Think Safe, Think Disc-Lock! at the CV Show 2007. The firm says this highlights the fact that truckers think wheel loss is the leading vehicle safety issue while truck makers continue to ignore their concerns. Demonstrations on the Disc-Lock stand will show how a standard two-piece Daf, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Scania or Volvo wheel nut can be shaken loose in less than one minute on a Junker vibration test machine, while the Disc-Lock Safety Wheel Nut remains secure. According to reports, the firm hopes this will draw attention to truck makers apparent lack of concern.
Continue ReadingEuropean Double Coin Sales Up
European Double Coin sales have increased “significantly” since Dutch wholesaler Inter-Sprint took over distribution in May 2006, the company has reported. Since then the European distribution channel has also enlarged to include: Poland, Hungary, Romania, Czech, Sweden, Finland, Estonia. Inter Sprint reports that it is also looking for distributors in the former Eastern Europe.
Continue ReadingPrema to Expand into Ireland
Describing 2006 as a “another tough yet successful year for Harvie,” managing director, Terry Brooks has explained that pressures from Chinese balance weight imports and more aggressive competition have not stopped the company from growing and investing in two new salesmen. In the last year Harvie has grown its fleet of vans to 12 and boasts full UK coverage. Plans to enter the Irish market are underway and a new salesman for the north based in Belfast will start later this year. Negotiations with 2 possible agents based in Dublin in the south are said to be “advancing.”
Continue ReadingBridgestone to Unveil “New Generation of Tyres” at CV Show
Bridgestone has announced that it will present a complete range of new generation tyres at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show, at the NEC in April. Bridgestone’s pioneering collection will be revealed at this year’s show, encompassing the R249 and R168, as well as their most recent addition to the family, the M749. The introduction of the Bridgestone M749 highway drive-axle tyre (first published in T&A September 2006) follows the launch of the R249 steer-axle and R168 trailer-axle tyres, and completes Bridgestone’s new generation long distance highway line-up. The range has been engineered to improve cost efficiency due to excellent rolling resistance and superior mileage as well as their capacity for future retreading.
Continue ReadingToyo Provides OUMF
Toyo looks set to give a head start to the automotive stars of tomorrow thanks to the companys latest sponsorship deal with The Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation, or OUMF as it is affectionately known. OUMF is an independent, pan university student initiative, founded in 2005, to promote practical engineering and associated skills through the medium of motor racing. Already it looks set to provide a valuable skill base of able enthusiasts that will benefit the industry for years to come.
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