Hella has expanded its site in Großpetersdorf, Austria. The company’s subsidiary, Hella Fahrzeugteile Austria GmbH has invested in the construction of a new 450sqm tool warehouse on three levels and a 600sqm logistics hall. The investment will also cover the renewal and expansion of machinery. The developments, in which the company is investing several million euros, are scheduled for completion by the end of 2022.
When we published German motoring association ACE’s coverage of the tyre test it jointly undertook with Austrian counterpart ARBÖ, we commented that there were “no bad tyres” in the size 195/55 R16 evaluation. The ARBÖ begs to differ, as it has consigned two tyres to the undesirable ‘not recommendable’ category.
Goodyear has named Oliver Sindermann its sales general manager for the ‘DACH’ region of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, effective 1 April 2022. Sindermann, who is currently director sales operations & pricing commercial EU, will succeed Dieter Schölling, who is leaving the company.
Kraiburg Austria shares that a technical fault caused a fire within the vulcanisation department of its plant in Geretsberg last night, but damage was minor. The retreading materials specialist says the rapid intervention of staff and the fire service limited damage to the immediate area where the fire broke out. Kraiburg stresses that nobody was injured, nor were neighbours or the environment endangered at any point.
Nexen Tire Europe is rationalising its approach to sales and marketing, and has thus announced changes affecting its operations in Austria and Sweden. The tyre maker will transfer responsibility for both markets’ sales organisations to its European headquarters in Kelkheim, Germany by the end of Q1 2021.
Michelin has reorganised its sales team in Austria and appointed Roland Steinberger managing director of its business in that market. Steinberger began in the role on 1 November, continuing a tyre industry career spanning more than two decades, including eight years at Michelin. His previous role with the tyre maker was sales manager for its car tyre business within Austria.
Engineering group Andritz has opened a new 3,600m2 test and research centre for the recycling industry in St. Michael, Upper Styria, Austria. The group, which supplies plant machinery for recovering energy and materials from tyres and auto parts among other waste streams, is to expand its research and development activities with the new facility. It will collaborate closely with the University of Leoben at the Andritz Recycling Technology Center (ART-Center), though the ART-Center is available to customers and researchers from around the world. The facility is equipped with innovative shredder technology from the company’s ADuro product line, used for primary and secondary shredding as well as fine granulation and dismantling of composite materials. This enables customers to conduct recycling tests under real plant conditions with industrial-scale equipment.
Rudolf Perner is now heading up Nokian Tyres’ operation in a number of Central European markets. The company recently reported that as managing director of Nokian Tyres GmbH, Perner took on responsibility for operations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and the Netherlands as of 1 August 2020.
In addition to testing car tyres ahead of this year’s colder months, three European motoring clubs have taken a close look at winter rubber for mid-sized SUVs and vans. The 13 brands of 235/55 R17 V tyre participating in this joint comparative evaluation from Germany association ADAC, Austria’s ÖAMTC and Switzerland’s TCS performed well overall, with results ranging from highly recommended/good to conditionally recommended/adequate.
Three leading European motoring associations have published the results of their joint 2020 winter car tyre test. The ADAC from Germany, Austria’s ÖAMTC and Swiss club TCS looked at 15 brands of tyre. While they didn’t award any of the evaluated products their top ratings of ‘very good’ (ADAC) or ‘excellent’ (ÖAMTC, TCS), the clubs noted that overall test results were positive. In addition to five strong performers, seven further tyres were recommended and one conditionally recommended. Only two tyres failed to make the grade.
The coronavirus crisis represents a challenge for almost all industries and markets in Europe and around the world. But tyres are system-relevant products that ensure, amongst other things, the uninterrupted transportation of goods and supply chain stability. In doing so, they contribute to securing the population’s basic requirements. Kraiburg Austria has adapted to the challenges associated with corona, aiming to guarantee all its partners receive the quality pre-cure and mould cure materials they require on time and with the expected high level of service.
After the postponement of the season opener due to the coronavirus, the first Formula 1 race of the year will take place this weekend at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. The same event will feature another premiere: Pirelli’s new 18-inch racing tyres will also be used for the first time, but initially only in Formula 2. Their debut in Formula 1 will follow later.
Following the news that The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed ex-Brisa and Bridgestone executive Hakan Bayman as president of Goodyear’s consumer tyre business in Europe, it has emerged that former Goodyear Dunlop UK MD, Erich Fric has been appointed as Goodyear managing director Europe Central. Both appointments are effective 1 July 2020.
As well as providing its retreading partners with the necessary materials to contribute to securing people’s basic needs across Europe and keeping truck rolling, Kraiburg reports that it is also committed to those who fight on the medical “front lines”.
Hankook Tire is aiming for a “double-digit” share of the market in Austria and Switzerland, and to help grow the Hankook brand in both countries it has opened a new branch office in Vienna.
Hella
Andritz
Kraiburg Austria
Pirelli