Tag: Brazil
Retreaders install new Vipal-developed buffer
Brazilian retreaders União and Toro have installed a Vipal Rubber-developed casing buffing system. The VR01 Smart DUO, a dual position buffer, was installed at União Tire Retreading in São Paulo retreader in April. Soon after, another partner of the Vipal Authorized Network Deatler had installed a single position variant at its Toro Recauchutagem operation in Rio de Janeiro.
Bekaert and ArcelorMittal close Sumaré deal
Bekaert and ArcelorMittal have integrated Bekaert's formerly wholly-owned steel cord subsidiary in Sumaré (Brazil) into the BMB (Belgo Mineira Bekaert Artefatos de Arame Ltda) partnership. In line with the shareholding structure of the BMB joint venture, ArcelorMittal has become the majority shareholder (55.5%) of the steel cord entity in Sumaré and Bekaert retains the remaining shares (44.5%).
‘Growing’ VMI opens new South America headquarters
Machinery manufacturer VMI says it is increasingly active in South America, and in response VMI South America Ltda has moved to a new and larger location. On 12 May, VMI South America opened its new facility in the Brazilian city of Itatiaia, approximately half way between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Managing director Robson Souza de Araujo and his team now have approximately 1,350 square metres of floorspace at their disposal, an area divided into workshop and office space.
Pirelli to distribute Nexen tyres in Brazil
Under an agreement recently signed between Nexen Tire and Pirelli Latam Participacoes LTDA, Pirelli is now the exclusive distributor of Nexen car, SUV and van tyres in Brazil. The Nexen products have been distributed through the official Pirelli network within the country since November 2016.
Pirelli’s Cinturato F1 tyres help drivers show great driving possible in soggy Brazil GP
Despite the delays, the Brazilian grand prix became a “fantastic spectacle,” with plenty of overtaking and action on Pirelli’s wet range of Formula One tyres. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished first, completing the full race on the Cinturato Blue full wet tyre only following two days of largely dry running at Interlagos. Hamilton won without making a racing pit stop, though he did change tyres twice, going from full wets to another set of wets under both red flag stoppages.
Four retreaders from Australia and New Zealand visit Vipal
Between 9 and 15 October, four Vipal retreading partners from Australia and New Zealand visiting the firm’s facilities in Brazil. There were four retreaders in total, three from Australia (Arctic Cool, Tyre Lug and Eco Green) and one from New Zealand, (Power Retread). They toured the three plants of the leading tyre retreader, two in Nova Prata, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), and one in Feira de Santana, Bahia (BA). Vipal’s Head of International Business, Leandro Rigon, welcomed the group, accompanied by Adalberto Fernandez, Vipal’s Manager for MEROC (comprising Mercosul and Oceania), Tiago Campanharo, Commercial Director in Australia, and Rodrigo Refatti, Marketing Specialist.
Ge Guorong explains ZC Rubber’s online development at Brazil dealer meeting
ZC Rubber has hosted its 2016 dealer meeting in Brazil. The Hangzhou based manufacturer outlined its new strategic plan focusing on business development. According to Ge Guorong, vice president of ZC Rubber, the company has continued steady development with output reaching more than 7 million truck and bus tyres and more than 14 million car and light truck tyres in the first half of 2016, accounting for 17.57 per cent and 13.21 per cent respectively within the Chinese tyre industry.
Michelin buys Brazilian two-wheel tyre maker
The Michelin Group has acquired Levorin, a Brazilian manufacturer of bicycle and motorcycle tyres. Levorin is a family business which was founded in 1943 by Hercules Levorin. It specializes in the production of tyres for the commuter segment in Brazil. In 2015 Levorin had an annual turnover of 135 million euros and employs 2,000 people at its two plants in Sao Paulo and Manaus.
Bridgestone and Dow supporting Rio 2016 education programme
Two Worldwide Olympic Partners are collaborating to expand the scope and impact of Transforma, the official education programme of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With support from Bridgestone Corporation and The Dow Chemical Company, the Rio Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games has extended Transforma so that it now reaches some 7 million students in more than 12,000 schools across 2,500 cities and towns in Brazil.
Evonik starts production at Brazil plant
Production has commenced at Evonik Industries’ new precipitated silica plant in Brazil. The facility in Americana, São Paulo state is the first to produce highly dispersible silica for the South American tyre industry, and was set up with a “mid-double-digit million euro” investment. Evonik has yet to comment on the plant’s initial or maximum production capacity, however it declares its global capacity for precipitated and fume silicas, and for matting agents, to be 600,000 tonnes a year.
Update: Brazil project introducing ‘Sun’ production technology to truck tyres
As reported yesterday, Japan’s Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. is investing 312 million real (£73.0 million) to add a truck and bus tyre manufacturing capability to its site in Fazenda Rio Grande, Paraná state, in order to furnish the Brazilian market with a steady supply of locally-made products. The investment will cover the cost of erecting a new 13,400 square metre premises adjacent to the existing passenger car and truck tyre manufacturing facility, which entered operation in October 2013, as well as the purchase and installation of new production equipment at a cost of 208 million real.
SRI building new Brazil plant to meet growing demand for truck tyres
In order to furnish the Brazilian market with a steady supply of locally-made products, Japan’s Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. is investing 312 million real (£73.0 million) to add a truck and bus tyre manufacturing capability to its site in Fazenda Rio Grande, Paraná state. The investment will cover the cost of erecting a new premises adjacent to the existing passenger car and truck tyre manufacturing facility as well as new production equipment. A March 2019 start to truck and bus tyre manufacture is scheduled, and the initial capacity will be 500 tyres per day.
DriveRightData opens Brazil office
DriveRightData has established a new sales office in South America as part of the firm’s global expansion plan. This year, the company embarked on a global expansion plan that has seen headquarters established in Los Angeles and South Korea. Last year the company established a base at Mira Technology Park in Nuneaton in Warwickshire, United Kingdom.
Fleet tests with Bridgestone’s Tirematics now under way
Bridgestone has begun verification tests of its Tirematics fleet solution. In partnership with its Bridgestone do Brasil subsidiary and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Rio de Janeiro, the tyre maker is evaluating the effectiveness of Tirematics in preventing unexpected operational problems or major delays due to tyre failures.