Awards
The UK’s first Highway Heroes have received public recognition and some Goodyear tyres. During April and May, Goodyear invited nominations via LinkedIn for deserving commercial operatives, with one winner chosen each month to receive a brand-new set of premium tyres for their personal vehicle.
Hankook Tire has been named a GM Supplier of the Year at a virtual ceremony honoring for General Motors’ 28th annual Supplier of the Year awards. GM recognised 116 of its best suppliers from 15 countries. It said these suppliers have “consistently exceeded GM’s expectations, created outstanding value or introduced innovations to the company.” The ceremony, recognising supplier contributions in the calendar year, was delayed in March by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continental has been recognised for its bicycle tyres manufactured with dandelion rubber with a brace of design awards. The Urban Taraxagum has won the prestigious Red Dot Design award, and the E-Bike Design & Innovation Award in the Sustainability & Green category by Focus E-Bike magazine. The two awards recognised different aspects of the tyre. The Red Dot Award lauded the design of the tread of the tyre, based on the cell shape of the dandelion. Meanwhile Focus E-Bike commended the sustainability of rubber extraction from dandelions.
Tyre manufacturer Hankook has received a platinum medal for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement. The medal was awarded by the French rating agency Ecovadis in particular recognition of Hankook’s sustainability initiatives. The medal is awarded to companies in the top one per cent of their industry sector.
Birla Carbon, one of the world’s largest carbon black producers, has announced that all 16 of manufacturing facilities across the globe have received the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) certification. This makes Birla Carbon the first and only global carbon black manufacturer to achieve this certification.
Maxxis has been recognised for its adaptable tyre and wheel assembly concept, the T Razr. The innovation was presented with the silver award in the 2020 A’ Design Awards, organised by organized by OMC Design Studios SRL, based in Como, Italy. Maxxis states that the design is inspired by the need to bring “a safer, more economical tyre solution to the global tyre market.”
In order to honour those who are continuing to keep the country moving during lockdown, Goodyear has launched its ‘Highway Heroes’ scheme in the UK. From the delivery drivers keeping supermarkets stocked to the haulage companies transporting vital supplies, the purpose of the initiative is to shine a light on those who are continuing to go the extra mile within the logistics industry.
Yokohama’s ultra-high performance Advan Apex V601tyre has been named a winner of an iF Design Award 2020. The tyre, which is currently available in the US market, combines new high-performance tyre technology with an asymmetrical tread pattern reminiscent of that used in the Yokohama A008, one of the its most historically important tyres. The tyre delivers superior wet performance and handling while delivering a most comfortable and quiet ride, while its high-grade micro silica tread compound delivers excellent cornering performance.
The Manufacturing Institute has recognized Missy Depinet, Procurement Director for Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, with a Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Award for 2020. Depinet is among 130 women nationally who earned the honour this year from a field of hundreds of nominees.
Drumroll please…more awards for Kumho tyres. Hot on the heels of the Good Design awards in Japan for the Kumho Majesty 9 and Ecsta PA51 patterns and the iF Design awards in Germany for the Majesty 9 and WinterCraft Wi51, the three abovementioned tyres have all been honoured with the Good Design Award of North America.
Micheldever Tyre and Auto Services in Winchester has been named Pirelli 4×4 Key Dealer of the Year for a third time in the award’s five-year history. Pirelli UK commercial director, Jason Sugden congratulated the branch, saying the brand’s audit “is designed to really test the knowledge of the depot and to receive a winning score is testament to all the team and their hard work.”
Michelin and VMI were the big winners at the Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence. Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year was won by VMI for its Synchro Crown Drum, while Michelin sealed the Tire Technology and Tire Manufacturer of the Year double, the former in recognition of its airless tyre, Uptis. Tire Industry Supplier of the Year was Eastman, while Environmental Achievement of the Year was RubberJet Valley’s environmentally friendly High-Pressure Water Jet technology.
City First; Goodyear
General Motors
Continental
Hankook
Maxxis
Goodyear, Truck Force
Yokohama