German rubber industry association wdk is “sounding the alarm” as massive increases in the cost of energy, raw materials and logistics take their toll upon companies within the industry, draining their liquidity and straining earnings. The wdk warns of impending insolvencies, a concretisation of relocation plans and job cuts.
Endorsing its continued commitment to embrace Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) within the automotive sector, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has appointed Vijayacittā Harvey as interim head of the organisation’s diversity task force. Established in March 2021 – led by IMI president, Professor Jim Saker and IMI chief operating officer, Lesley Woolley – the diversity task force set out to understand how the motor industry can be a more attractive place to work in for all and bring EDI to the forefront of automotive businesses.
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has welcomed automotive lubricants manufacturer Motul to its membership. Established in 1853, Motul is well known in the automotive industry for producing some of the highest quality lubricant products with a heritage forged primarily on the racing circuit.
In order to support its ambition of becoming a true Nordic tyre & wheel specialist, independent tyre distribution firm Vimexa has become a corresponding member of the STRO (Scandinavian Tire and Rim Organization) in Sweden. Announcing Vimexa’s STRO membership, managing director Rutger Veerman said “we have realised strong growth in the Nordic (and Baltic) region during the last five years, and with our hub in Helsinki the logistics is optimal.”
With Roy Littlefield soon to retire as chief executive officer, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) is searching for a successor. The US-based association representing the tyre, retreading and repair sectors says it seeks a “dynamic leader in a rapidly changing business environment” to head its work in tyre technician training, government affairs and improving the overall environment for its tyre dealer and industry members.
During its Board of Directors meeting on 14 April, the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association welcomed Nexen Tire Europe and the Czech Republic and Slovakia Tyre Producers’ Associations as new members of the Association, as of 2022. With their addition, the ETRMA will represent 15 global tyre manufacturers and 11 national sector Associations.
The ETRTO (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation) has appointed Denis Piccolo chairman of its agriculture sub-committee. In this role the product manager for off-highway tyre specialist BKT is tasked with consolidating the ETRTO’s position and official feedback on requests regarding agricultural tyres. He is also responsible for the data published in the Technical Manual (Standard Manual) and in Engineering Design Information, which contain ETRTO’s official indications for the agricultural sector.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) is working to achieve carbon neutrality in its tyre manufacturing processes by 2050, and as part of these efforts recently began examining the possibility of utilising hydrogen energy within its major tyre factories in Japan. In order to “participate more actively in efforts to overcome the challenges involved in bringing about the hydrogen economy while also exchanging useful information with other companies and organisations,” SRI has joined the Japan Hydrogen Association.
Philip Nothard has been elected as the new chair of the Vehicle Remarketing Association, succeeding Sam Watkins, who has held the role for the last two years. With a 30 year career in the used car sector, he is currently insight and strategy director at Cox Automotive, and has also held key positions at Cap HPI as well as other senior roles across the automotive sector.
The Institute of the Motor Industry’s Annual General Meeting on 27 October 2020 saw the announcement of its new president, Professor Jim Saker, as well as the appointment of two new vice presidents: Linda Jackson (PSA) and Sandy Burgess (SMTA). Kevin Finn and Tony Tomsett were also confirmed as chairman and honorary treasurer respectively.
Wessex Truck & Trailer Supplies Limited has joined the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). The independent commercial vehicle specialist parts supplier has a team of 17 people with over 200 years’ industry experience, and all of the employees are local, all living within a ten-mile radius of the office. The company has a fleet of delivery vehicles, delivering daily to customers six days a week. It also operates a 24/7 call out service and has a vast and ever-growing portfolio of supplier partners with original equipment quality.
The Board of Directors of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufactures’ Association has reconfirmed Franco Annunziato as its president for the next three years. Bridgestone’s vice president and senior advisor was elected for the next three years from 1 January 2021. The ETRMA said the appointment was “a strong signal of commitment and continuity to face the actual macroeconomic scenario.” Joan Vicenç Durán, from Consorcio Nacional de Industriales del Caucho, was also elected vice president at the meeting for the same three-year mandate.
VARTA has joined The Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA) in the UK. Technical sales manager at VARTA, Andy Cook, has confirmed the new association with the organisation, saying: “Clarios, the Company behind the VARTA brand, is the largest battery manufacturer in the world, and that status naturally comes with longstanding and successful OE partnerships on a global basis, so joining OESSA makes perfect sense for us. Our new membership will help us support the independent garage further, especially in the area of new technology, where we have battery expertise on features like start-stop, where 8 out of 10 start-stop cars fitted with an AGM technology battery, is one of ours.”
The Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) England is urging the government to bring forward the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles to 2030. The government is in the process of analysing feedback from its consultation on the ban, which has already been brought forward from 2040 to 2035.
The retreading industry has worked hard over the years to compete with the new tyre industry and to be heard on political, economic and product issues at European level. Since the industry is strongly shaped by medium-sized and smaller companies, active and influential advocacy thus plays an important role, as we witnessed during the formulation and successful implementation of UNECE regulations 108 and 109 in 2006, a regulation effectively giving retreads type approval equivalency with new tyres. BIPAVER has spearheaded the retreading industry’s lobbying in Europe for many years now, and in April its administration and technical representation was taken over by the German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association (BRV). The association’s two managing directors, general secretary Yorick M. Lowin and technical secretary Michael Schwämmlein, explain why this change took place, what tasks the future holds and what they both can leverage together with BIPAVER’s committees.
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