Tag: Kenda
Kenda partners Gruppo Sirio at Autopromotec
Kenda and its Italian partner Gruppo Sirio are cooperating to exhibit “the full breadth of [Kenda’s] product range” at this year’s Autopromotec. Key products on-show include the Kenetica 4S all-season tyre, the Kenetica ECO and the Emera A1.
Cambrian bringing Kenda two-wheel range to the UK
Cambrian Tyres, the largest two-wheel tyre distributor in the UK, has been appointed official importer of Kenda Tire’s motorcycle tyre range in Great Britain. As such, Cambrian is bringing the Kenda brand back after a ten-year absence from the UK two-wheeler market.
STARCO’s UK wheel solution hits Las Vegas
By taking advantage of synergies arising from its acquisition by Kenda in 2017, STARCO has introduced its UK-made Flex lite wheel solution to the US market. Kenda USA subsidiary Martin Wheel presented this European market top-seller at a trade show in Las Vegas last week. STARCO shares that interest in the 10- to 15-inch solutions amongst end-users was strong, and it looks forward to receiving feedback about Flex lite from US-based manufacturers and distributors.
STARCO launches Kenda trailer tyre range
For a number of years, Danish firm STARCO offered the KargoTrail and MasterTrail under its own name. The third generation of these trailer tyre lines is now available, and both have been rebranded as Kenda products. STARCO says the Kenda KR101 MasterTrail 3G and Kenda KR209 KargoTrail 3G are “improvements of the well-performing and proven STARCO range,” with changes in tyre compound and tread depth leading to “longer mileage, better wet grip and improved rolling resistance.”
Kenda’s Michael Andre to retire
Michael Andre (60) is retiring at the end of 2018. The news comes after five years with Kenda Rubber Industrial, where he has been marketing and sales manager automotive Europe responsible for the European passenger car tyre business of the Taiwanese tyre manufacturer. In this role Andrew has led the phased introduction of the Kenda brand to the German and other key European markets.
Zhongce Rubber enters global top ten tyre manufacturers
China’s largest tyre manufacturer, Zhongce Rubber, has entered the global top ten, research published today by Tyrepress shows. Best known in Europe for its Westlake brand, the company has pushed up in the rankings past Giti Tire – manufacturer of GT Radial – which did not supply 2017 figures before the deadline, Toyo Tires, and Cooper Tire & Rubber, which fell three places. Competition in the lower quarter of the top ten places is fierce, with turnovers for tyres between 2.4 billion euros (Cooper in 13th) and 3.2 billion euros (Maxxis in ninth).
STARCO to distribute Kenda car tyre range in Switzerland
Ready for the summer season, the STARCO subsidiary in Switzerland has received the first car tyres from Kenda and is ready to begin its new role as the brand’s national distributor. Commenting on the new arrangement, STARCO’s Richard Todd noted that the company was exploring many synergies with Kenda over both the short and long-term.
Kenda presenting all-season range at The Tire Cologne
Kenda Tires is keen to replicate the success it has enjoyed with its car tyre business in North America over the last decade in European markets, and last year it introduced its first passenger car tyre specifically designed for the region, the Kenda Emera A1. This was followed by the Wintergen 2 winter tyre and Komendo Winter KR500 van tyre. The Taiwanese tyre maker is bringing its latest made-for-Europe product to The Tire Cologne, the Kenda Kenetica 4S all-season tyre.
Kenda buys Starco
Taiwan-based tyre manufacturer Kenda has purchased Starco Europe. Announced on 2 October, the move is described by Kenda as “a good cultural, organizational and strategic fit” for which both companies see “significant long-term opportunities”. Kenda has been a Starco supplier since 1982. Over the last 12 months a series of meetings determined a clear willingness from both Kenda and Starco to take the partnership to another level. Starco does not plan any organizational changes or redundancies related to the acquisition.
Tyre test result ‘confirms success’ of Kenda’s European strategy
The performance of the Kenda Emera A1 in a summer tyre test conducted by Finland’s Test World is viewed by the manufacturer as a confirmation of the tyre’s competitiveness and validation of its aim to produce premium tyres for the European market. Test World evaluated 18 size 205/55 R16 tyres in March; Kenda states its satisfaction with the Emera A1’s ranking in the “upper midfield” of test results.
Taiwan-based tyre manufacturers raising prices
The leading Taiwanese tyre manufactures are reportedly planning to raise prices by between 8-12 per cent during 2017. According to local news reports, the price hike is a reaction to the jump in synthetic rubber and natural rubber prices.
Kenda appoints Stotsenburg as North American VP
Kenda has promoted Brandon Stotsenburg to vice president of its North American Automotive tyre business. Currently director of business development, Stotsenburg succeeds Bob Phoenix, who is retiring 1 January 2017.
Kenda to display latest European market products at Reifen 2016
Kenda will exhibit new products specially designed for the European market to underpin its commitment to quality, the manufacturer states. Each of its latest products “use European requirements as a benchmark,” it added, “and have a clear focus on safety.” Its most important exhibit will be the latest Kenda ultra-high performance Emera A1summer tyre, which is designed to produce excellent handling on dry and wet roads with outstanding braking performance. The manufacturer will also shine a spotlight on its latest winter tyres; the Komendo Winter for vans and the Wintergen 2 for cars. Each of these new-generation products has been developed with the intention of achieving “a breakthrough into Europe’s quality segment by offering products for the European market,” Kenda stated.
Kenda Tires embarks on Serie A advertising campaign
Kenda Tires will be promoting its brand on LED perimeter boards within the stadiums of leading Italian Serie A football teams Fiorentina, Lazio Rome, Sampdoria Genua, Udinese Calcio and CFC Genua. According to the contract with Serie A marketer Infront, Kenda's advertising will be displayed on all four sides of the playing field. Advertising in Italy's top league is expected to allow Kenda to reach not only the fans attending the matches, but also millions of TV viewers via SKY Italia Go, Mediaset Premium, and Italy's biggest club channel, the Juventus channel.
Vietnam increasingly popular for tyre makers
Following the news in late September that Kenda received an investment license for setting up a tire factory in Vietnam, further attention has been cast on both the local tyre market and the country’s attractiveness to foreign tyre manufacturers.