Tag: Germany
Tough times: Michelin evaluating situation for German plant
The workforce at the Michelin tyre plant in Hallstadt, Germany was told yesterday that tough times lie ahead. These words came from plant manager Jens Schlemmer; he informed employees that demand for tyres from the factory has been affected by the current tense market situation the country’s carmakers and their suppliers are facing.
Continental wins tyre design complaint against wholesaler Heuver
A German court has ruled that certain Aeolus truck tyres infringe an EU design patent held by Continental. The matter has been resolved by an out-of-court settlement that covers damages and a recall of the products in question.
Kobe Steel makes Germany-based Kobelco Europe its European HQ
Kobe Steel, Ltd. established Kobelco Europe GmbH (KEU) earlier this month to serve as the European headquarters for the Kobe Steel Group. Tsuyoshi Uesugi, will serve as managing director. According to the company, KEU has grown out of the existing Kobelco Machinery Europe GmbH (KME) which is based in Munich, Germany. KME was established in 2012 as a base for Kobe Steel’s Machinery Business in Europe, mainly the marketing of nonstandard compressors and tyre and rubber machinery.
Falken celebrates 20 years at the Nürburgring
Falken Tyres celebrated 20 years at the Nürburgring with sponsorship of the ADAC TOTAL 24-Hour Race (N24), held on 22-23 June 2019. The Sumitomo Rubber Industries brand’s team, run by Sven Schnabl, now fields two cars at the event, and in the VLN Endurance Championship. The UK’s Peter Dumbreck and Swiss driver Alexandre Imperatori drove the BMW M6 GT3 alongside BMW factory drivers Stef Dusseldorp and Jens Klingmann to claim an excellent sixth place finish, having started 31st on the grid, while the new Porsche 911 GT3R, driven by Austrian duo Martin Ragginger and Klaus Bachler supported by Porsche factory drivers Dirk Werner and Jörg Bergmeister, finished the race in 21st, having suffered an off that put paid to its chances of a top-ten finish. Falken also supplied racing tyres to Subaru Tecnica International’s WRX STI. Tyres & Accessories took the opportunity to catch up with Falken Tyre Europe’s new chief operating officer and president, Markus Bögner, on what is probably the rising company’s most important weekend of the year.
Toyo partnering Tough Mudder in Italy
Toyo Tires has partnered Tough Mudder in Germany and Great Britain since 2018. Now the tyre manufacturer has announced that it is expanding its partnership with Tough Mudder by extending its 2019 deal into Italy. As a result, Toyo will be an official partner for both of the inaugural Italian events on September 14/15 in Milan as well as on October 26/27 in Rome.
Fintyre appoints Saccani MD of RS Exclusiv, TyreXpert
European Fintyre Distribution (EfTD) has appointed Francesco Saccani as its new managing director of RS Exclusiv and TyreXpert. He will report directly to Claudio Passerini, CEO of EfTD Germany, and will be responsible for leading the development and growth of the companies in northern Germany. EfTD added that the companies would seek to “enhance synergies” with the rest of the group.
Tyre trade returns fire after attack from German army
The UK tyre trade may have to contend with Brexit and cuts within the automotive sector, but at least the army isn’t taking potshots at us. Spare a thought for our counterparts in Germany, who of late have found themselves in the crosshairs of their country’s defence forces.
Liqui Moly becomes name sponsor of Handball Bundesliga in Germany
Liqui Moly will become a name sponsor of the highest level of handball in Germany in July 2019. The lubricant specialist has acquired the naming rights to the men’s highest division, which will then be called the Liqui Moly Handball Bundesliga. The contract is valid for three seasons with an option for two more.
BBS: Handbrake to be released in aftermarket business
Donghyun Jin has always been a big city lad, but of late he’s downsized. From Seoul and its population of ten million to a village of 3,850 in Germany’s Black Forest. Donghyun Jin, senior director of the Manufacturing division at NICE Holdings (majority shareholder of the BBS Group since 2015) arrived in the village of Schiltach as interim chief executive officer of BBS in order to navigate the alloy wheel manufacturer through the turbulent waters of Dieselgate and the introduction of WLTP.
Northvolt raises US$1 billion for Europe’s first gigafactories
Northvolt has raised US$1 billion of capital to build Europe’s first homegrown gigafactory for lithium-ion battery cells - Northvolt Ett, in Skellefteå, Sweden. At the same time, in cooperation with the Volkswagen Group, the company also announced plans to establish a second gigafactory with an intended location in Lower Saxony, Germany. The news of both factories was announced on 12 June 2019.
Have the truck tyre import tariffs ‘worked’?
The size of the UK truck tyre market by sell-out unit volume fell 9.8 per cent in 2018 set against the backdrop of European import tariffs, according to GfK data presented at Autopromotec 2019. But what do the tell us about the effectiveness of the tariffs?
Linglong Tire renews VfL Wolfsburg partnership
Linglong Tire has signed an extension to its partnership agreement with VfL Wolfsburg, continuing as its “club of Champions” partner. Li Wei, vice present of Linglong Tire, attended the signing ceremony held by VfL Wolfsburg in Foshan China on 23 May, 2019. He said: “as an old friend of VfL Wolfsburg, Linglong is very glad to continue to cooperate with the club and give full play to the brand effect of both sides.”
Continental opens 3D printing competence centre
Continental’s Tire division is just one company division expected to benefit from the opening of a new competence centre for 3D printing. The facility, located at the Continental Engineering Services plant in Karben, Germany, offers a variety of modern 3D printing technologies, such as a Selective Laser Melting (SLM) machine, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Printing (DLP) and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM).
Wheelworld under new ownership
Wheelworld GmbH has a new owner. As of 15 May, Thomas Mögelin is the alloy rim specialist’s new managing director, having acquired the firm from founders Rolf and Sabine Bene.
Continental bosses lay foundation stone for new HQ
The foundation stone for Continental’s new headquarters in Hannover, Germany is now in place, and the company says its construction project is on schedule. Chief executive officer Dr Elmar Degenhart and Executive Board members Dr Ariane Reinhart and Wolfgang Schäfer hosted a ceremony to mark the occasion at the construction site last Wednesday.