Goodyear has launched a new tyre for port applications, and says its focus when developing the tyre was upon “improved tread wear to help increase efficiency,” a “decisive factor in modern port and industrial handling.” A further aim of the Goodyear EV-4M Port Handler is to “promote driver comfort.”
Continental is changing the name of its StraddleMaster+ port tyre line to TerminalMaster V.ply. This change of name is also accompanied by a significant expansion of the tyre’s application recommendations: Instead of primarily being intended for use on straddle carriers, Continental says “intensive tests in the laboratory and in real-life use” have led it to additionally recommend the tyre for use at airports and for heavy-duty transport in the industrial sector.
A new compound has been developed for Continental tyres that will see use in harbourside applications. Continental calls this compound Port Plus, and reports that it reduces tyre heat generation, minimises wear and extends tyre life significantly. The Port Plus compound will premiere at TOC Europe in Rotterdam next month.
Continental Commercial Specialty Tyres (CST) has expanded its terminal tyre portfolio with the addition of a new TractorMaster size. The company’s Petaling Jaya industrial tyre factory in Malaysia began producing the TractorMaster in size 280/75 R 22.5 in April.
In the industrial handling sector, the choice of an OTR tyre represents a significant and fundamental investment, as the aim is not only to guarantee efficient portside and intermodal operations and ensure high levels of quality and reliability – a further goal is to meet an increasingly important requirement amongst many companies operating in this sector, reduced operating costs.
BKT says there is no way of overlooking its presence at Bauma. This comment relates to the company’s size 27.00 R 49 Earthmax SR 45 Plus mining tyre, which at an imposing 2.70 metres tall can be easily spotted within the Munich-based exhibition’s outdoor area, however it could equally apply to the number of new products that the off-road tyre specialist has brought to the show.
Netherlands-based industrial tyre manufacturer Magna Tyres and its official agent in South Korea will supply a “considerable quantity” of M-Straddle tyres to one of the world’s largest container terminals as part of a new one-year contract. Magna Tyres and its agent, Hyoshin Hispec Co. Ltd, signed an official contract with BNCT (Busan New Container Terminal) this week and will provide unspecified but large numbers of the M-Straddle in size 16.00R25 over a 12 month period.
Goodyear off-the-road tyres have been fitted to 28 Kalmar ESH-250 Shuttle Carrier vehicles at London Gateway. The fitment took place under a new three-year contract between Goodyear and DP World London Gateway to provide Goodyear OTR EV-3+, EV-4A and EV-4C industrial radial tyres.
Magna Tyres says it will launch its new Magna M-Straddle tyre in the US at next week’s ConExpo show in Las Vegas. The radial M-Straddle, available in tyre size 16.00R25, is specifically designed for use on straddle carriers in demanding port and terminal conditions. ConExpo is the first exhibition in the US where the M-Straddle will be showed.
According to Continental, the habour tyre range it unveiled at the TOC Container Supply Chain Europe exhibition in Rotterdam in July has struck a chord with port operators. The company claims that more than half the respondents to a recent survey plan to purchase or recommend the newly-released range.
Over the last decade or so Continental has focused heavily on its automotive businesses, and with an annual turnover of 32.76 billion euros it today ranks as the world’s third largest automotive supplier (behind Denso and Robert Bosch). But now the pendulum is swinging the other way. During a recent press conference, Nikolai Setzer outlined the company’s current strategy of investing into non-automotive areas in order to balance Continental’s footprint. The Tire division head also said investment is being undertaken to reduce vulnerability to automotive sector downturns.
Just recently Italian firm Gomme Piave, which specialises in the retreading of OTR tyres, celebrated its 50th anniversary. And despite the uncertainties the industry has faced during this time the company maintains its dedication towards innovation. “When retreading first emerged in the 1950s Italy developed into one of the leading countries in this sector, and this tradition remains strong to this day,“ shares Giomme Piave’s owner Augusto Favaro. “There is no other country in Europe that can boast having these specialised competencies to such an extent.”
Bandengroothandel Mast’s fastest development in recent years has been the evolution of its large harbour, quarry and mining tyre ranges. This development gained momentum when the company became established as the appointed European distributor of Chinese manufacturer, Tianli.
During the course of 2007 Mast introduced a number of new ranges and additional patterns in the CargoMaster series including new options in solid tyres for skid steer. Another new product being developed has been radial OTR tyres, which are currently being tested and are expected to be available in the UK and Europe in the near future. This new CargoMaster range is produced in China and will be offered in smaller sizes including 23.5 25 plus larger sizes will be phased in during the course of 2008.
This year’s Reifen show proved to be yet another successful international event for Netherlands based tyre wholesaler – Bandengroothandel Mast, who used the event to announce the company’s increasing specialisation in large harbour and quarry tyres. Directors, Wim and Sander Mast point out that Mast has been working with these large industrial tyres for specific port and quarry use for the past two years and it is the company’s firm intention to establish itself as a leading specialist in all sizes for harbour activities as well as the extreme sizes suitable for heavy mining use.
Having exhibited at Reifen 2004, The Netherlands-based specialist in industrial tyres – Bandengroothandel Mast B.V. – will once again be inviting both established customers and new contacts to visit their stand at this year’s Essen Show. Examples of the company’s well-established CargoMaster brand of industrial and harbour tyres will be on display and be supported by the LiftGuard brand, which specialises within the budget sector of the industrial market.
