Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has announced that Cooper Tire Europe plans to begin the process of reopening its manufacturing plant in Melksham, England, in the first half of June, and expects to be producing tyres there by 15 June 2020. The facility, which primarily manufactures motorcycle and racing tyres, has been temporarily closed since late March due to coronavirus.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has reported a first quarter 2020 net loss of $12 million, compared with net income of $7 million in same period last year. Unit volume decreased 15.8 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2019. Net sales decreased 14.1 per cent to $532 million. Operating loss was $6 million, or 1.2 per cent of net sales, compared to operating profit of $26 million, or 4.3 per cent of net sales, in 2019.
As it is doing in the USA with its Road to Indy engagement, Cooper Tire will continue to race in the virtual world in Europe. The coming weeks will see the launch of the World RX Esports Invitational Series, with Cooper Tire Europe as tyre ‘supplier’.
Under a new three-year agreement, Cooper Tire Europe will supply its rallycross tyres to the BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship. While all six of the championship’s competitive categories remain open to all tyre suppliers in 2020, this will change in 2021 and 2022 with Cooper becoming the exclusive tyre range for the ‘Production 4×4’, ‘Production’ and ‘Junior’ categories. The championship’s formal name also changes this season to the BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.
Cooper Tire Europe has added the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT and the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT to its 4×4 line-up. Building upon the launch of the tyres in the United States, a range of sizes will now be made available in UK and other European markets.
Just before Christmas, Motorsport UK announced it had selected Cooper Tire Europe as exclusive tyre supplier for the coming three British Rallycross Championship seasons, and as such is renaming the championship the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy Presented by Cooper Tires. The tyre maker says it is “excited” to extend its motorsport supply portfolio.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe has appointed René Delonge sales director, global OE light vehicle tyres. Delonge has many years of experience in the tyre industry, with previous positions at Apollo Vredestein and Hankook. Delonge will be responsible for overseeing and managing sales of original equipment (OE) motorcycle tyres, as well as global sales of OE light vehicle tyres. He will build relationships with OE manufacturers and grow Cooper’s business portfolio with global OE partners.
Cooper Tire Europe has become the presenting sponsor to the RallyX on Ice Festival. The festival takes place over three rounds between 18 and 23 March 2019 in Åre, Sweden. The championship will be known as “RallyX on Ice presented by Cooper Tires”.
Cooper Tire Europe has confirmed that it will proceed with its plan to end light vehicle tyre production at its facility in Melksham, Wiltshire. The company’s latest statement follows the conclusion of its collective consultation process with employee representatives, which began in October 2018.
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