Yokohama Rubber’s off-highway tyre business, Yokohama Off-Highway Tires (YOHT), has unveiled a new corporate identity and corporate logo. The tyre maker says this new identity draws on the company’s century-old legacy while underlining YOHT’s own distinct space in the off-highway segment. As a result, the ATG trademark was phased out around the world as of 1 January 2021.
During the summer Alliance Tire Group began showing off its Agri Star II Alliance 372 Agriflex+ VF and lines. The first of these debuted at the LAMMA show in January, but both tyres came to market during the first corona lockdown. Tyrepress.com saw these products in action on a farm in Germany a couple of months back, but the UK’s second lockdown put paid to plans for a real-world 372 VF launch over here. So instead of togging up in extra-thick jackets and pulling on our wellies, on 1 December we headed over to the virtual farm and caught up with ATG and Kirkby Tyres, who exclusively distributes the Alliance brand in the UK and Ireland.
While the challenges of the pandemic to the light vehicle markets are familiar due to the day-to-day experiences of people around Europe, commercial, industrial and agricultural markets experienced different levels of lockdown, as many companies in these sectors worked hard to reinforce supply chains. In the tyre wholesale sector, this meant distributors of products and services to these segments needed to stay strong to supply the rubber that kept countries rolling. Michael Rosenthal, marketing director of the UK and Ireland’s largest and most comprehensive distributor of off-highway tyre and wheel solutions, Kirkby Tyres, told Tyres & Accessories about the latest news from the Speke-based wholesaler.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. is set to build a new plant at Atchutapuram Industrial Park, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India to expand ATG’s (Alliance Tire Group) tyre production capacity. The new plant will have a daily production capacity of 55 tons (rubber weight), with planned capital investment totalling US$165 million. Construction will start in the third quarter of 2020 and the new plant is scheduled to come on line in the first quarter of 2023.
Visitors to the LAMMA show way back in January were amongst the first anywhere to see Alliance’s new standard tractor radial, the Agri Star II. The new tyre came to market a few months after this, but corona lockdowns got in the way of a more thorough launch – until now.
The Alliance brand has gained a strong position in certain segments of Europe’s agricultural tyre market. Alliance Tire Europe claims a leadership market share of up to 30 per cent for row crop applications and a 20 to 30 per cent share for implement applications. But Alliance’s primary ambition is to break into the tractor segment in a bigger way. In recent months it introduced a couple of products to support this drive.
AGCO has named Alliance Tire Group, Ltd North American Direct Materials Supplier of the Year during its 2020 online North America Supplier Event. Alliance was recognized by AGCO for “performance in cost, collaboration, innovation, account management, coordination and flexibility”. AGCO officials noted that Alliance – the only tyre supplier recognized during the event – exhibited strong coordination and alignment with AGCO and improved factory efficiency.
Alliance has introduced three new sizes for its 644 Forestar III tyre. The forestry tyre has earned an excellent reputation since its launch last year. The tyre has undergone extensive field tests against a premium forestry tyre competitor on a harvester in the Czech Republic and on a forwarder in Latvia. During the tests, customers were impressed with the overall performance of the Forestar 644, singling out the tyre’s traction and stability in challenging conditions. Alliance says the test results show that the tyre stands comparison with the premium competition, while offering value for money. The tyre is now available in sizes: 710/40-24.5, 710/55-28.5, and 780/50-28.5. These have been added to the previously launched sizes: 600/50-22.5, 710/40-22.5, 600/55-26.5, 710/45-26.5, 750/55-26.5, and 800/40-26.5.
The new Galaxy Mighty Trac ND is a freshly-developed L-4 tyre for skid steer loaders, which is designed to equally excel “on hard surfaces like roads or paved farm yards as well as sticky mud, loose sand, or snow”. The Galaxy Mighty Trac ND is available in sizes 10-16.5NHS and 12-16.5NHS. A 14-17.5NHS variant is currently under development.
From the start of 2020, all Galaxy solid tyres come with a five-warranty. Announcing this extended warranty, Alliance Tire Group (ATG) comments that the Galaxy solid range thus enjoys “one of the longest warranty periods in the industry.”
Last year, Alliance Tire Group (ATG) launched the Alliance 585 for telehandler, backhoe and compact loader applications. The tyre maker reports that the initial size 460/70R24 tyre is already a bestseller within its range – and it has now added an extra five Alliance 585 sizes.
STARCO has taken on distribution of the Alliance and Galaxy agricultural, forestry and construction tyre lines in Switzerland under a newly-negotiated agreement with Alliance Tire Group (ATG). As authorised partner for the representation and distribution of Alliance and Galaxy tyres throughout this market, STARCO will provide its warehouse and distribution facilities as well as its expertise and skills in order to make ATG’s products more accessible to Swiss customers.
Visitors to this week’s LAMMA show are amongst the first to see a new Alliance radial tractor tyre, the Agri Star II. Alliance Tyre Group (ATG) will launch the Agri Star II around the world in the weeks following its LAMMA debut, with 76 SKUs across the 70-s and 85- series available right from the start. This range is expected to cover almost 100 per cent of market requirements.
Alliance tyres – you’ll find them where even mountain goats don’t dare to tread. Together with German distributor Bohnenkamp, ATG has helped its tyres reach new heights by sponsoring an expedition upon the highest active volcano in the world, Ojos del Salado. The expedition team, driving Mercedes-Benz Unimog U5023 trucks fitted with Alliance tyres, reached an altitude of 6,694 metres during their quest to install life-saving solar-powered emergency radio communication systems in high mountain shelters. This feat broke the previous truck and car altitude records.
Kirkby Tyres
ATG, Yokohama
AGCO
ATG
ATG, Galaxy