Michelin introduces City Extra for commuter bikes
A new Michelin tyre aims to satisfy demand in two-wheeler commuter markets around the world. The Michelin City Extra is available in dimensions that suit scooters, step-throughs and small motorcycles, and replaces both the Michelin City Pro and City Grip Pro ranges.
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Sri Lanka: Kelani/CEAT to invest in expanding tyre manufacturing capacity
On 31 January 2022 Kelani Tyres PLC announced plans from the Kelani Tyres/Ceat joint venture to invest up to 3.2 billion Sri Lanka rupees (£11.637 million; 13.915 million euros; US$15.801) in increasing its tyre manufacturing capacity via machinery upgrades.
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4Jet wins 10 million euro order with ‘top 5 tyre manufacturer’
4Jet Group reports that it has received new orders worth over 10 million euros from “one of the worlds leading tyre manufacturers”. The machines will be delivered to several of the customers production sites in North America, Europe and Asia in 2022 and 2023. The agreement covers laser systems for marking tyres with machine-readable QR codes or logos, mould cleaning, and gluing preparation for e-mobility tyres.
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Autopromotec extends international workshop programme for 2022 event
Autopromotec’s organisers have extended IAM, the event’s round of six workshops designed to involve players from the various automotive aftermarket supply chains around the world.
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ETEL appoints Tanaka as chairman, Kimbara as CEO
European Tyre Enterprise Ltd (ETEL) has announced that CEO Shinjiro (Sean) Tanaka is taking on a new role as group chairman. Replacing him as CEO is Yutaka Kimbara, who is currently group director of the Europe & CIS General Products & Realty Group of Itochu Europe PLC, which is part of ETEL’s parent company Itochu Corp. of Japan.
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Nexion Group pulls out of Autopromotec 2022
Leading Italian garage equipment maker, Nexion Group, will not participate in Autopromotec 2022 because “the conditions are not yet in place to ensure a presence capable of best representing the prestige of its brands, while guaranteeing the safety of its customers and employees”.
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India’s competition body shares news of tyre maker cartel
Yesterday the Competition Commission of India (CCI) finally made public the news that back in 2018 it found five tyre makers and India’s tyre industry association guilty of contravening the provisions of India’s Competition Act by indulging in cartel activities in 2011 and 2012. All protagonists have been fined for their actions.
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Capacity increase for 4 Bridgestone car tyre plants
Bridgestone Corporation is expanding production capacity at four of its passenger car tyre plants in Japan. With an investment of approximately 8.2 billion yen (£52.8 million), capacity at the Tochigi, Hikone, Hofu and Tosu facilities will increase by approximately 6,200 tyres per day by the end of 2025, an amount that equals more than ten per cent of current capacity.
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Hankook & Company appoints CDO
Seongjin Kim is the new Chief Digital Officer (CDO) of Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. His appointment to this role takes effect immediately and as CDO, Kim takes responsibility for further accelerating the group’s digital transformation.
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Expansion – production has changed, but it is certainly ramping back up again
Last month, this column suggested that “acquisitions, consolidation and sustainability” were three words that will sum-up developments in the tyre business in 2022. Judging by what has taken place in the weeks since that text was published, the overall argument was pretty sound. However, in retrospect it also seems pretty clear that we could have, and perhaps should have, added in a fourth term – “expansion”.
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Tyre Stewardship Australia appoints science & innovation advisor
Dr Linda Mitchell has joined Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) as the organisation’s first science and innovation advisor. TSA calls this appointment “another step forward in advancing Australia’s competitiveness in managing its own tyre waste stream and unlocking opportunities for the national economy.”
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Greg Ward leaves Bridgestone
After 19 years with the company, Greg Ward’s time as Bridgestone as commercial sales director UK & Ireland has come to an end. Ward revealed the news in a social media post dated 28 January 2022 and Tyres & Accessories understands that he has now completed his last day with the premium brand tyre manufacturer. Prior to joining Bridgestone nearly two decades ago, Greg Ward had experience elsewhere in the tyre and automotive business, including at National Tyres. Details of where the highly-experienced commercial vehicle tyre specialist is headed next have not been confirmed.
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US tyre association appoints new board members
Four new members have joined the Board of Directors at the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA). The newcomers, voted in during the Board’s meeting on 25 January, are Alan Yarcusko, Blake Eaddy, Ryan Patterson and Curtis Brison.
Continue Reading Titan supplying Kubota-branded tyres as OE
Titan International, Inc. has entered into an exclusivity agreement with Kubota Tractor Corporation and Kubota Canada Limited, the Japanese agricultural machinery company’s businesses in North America. The agreement will see Titan Trac Loader II tyres fitted in selected sizes on Kubota products. These tyres will be branded with both the Titan and Kubota names on the sidewall.
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Falken to launch new Azenis FK520 tyre for performance cars, SUVs
Falken is to launch a new flagship car tyre for performance cars and SUVs in spring 2022. The Azenis FK520 is the Sumitomo Rubber Industries brand’s new tyre that exhibits Falken’s latest technologies, many of which are derived from its successful, race-winning European motorsport programme. Falken states that its next-generation UHP tyre is stiffer and lighter than its predecessor, reducing unsprung mass, and improving stability and efficiency. The new Falken Azenis FK520 will initially come in 81 sizes between 17 and 21 inches for cars and powerful SUVs. Every variation is certified for speed category Y (300 km/h).
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