Tag: Manufacturing
Schaeffler to reorganise UK business
The global automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler, which employs over 92,000 people worldwide, proposes to reorganise its UK business activities as part of its excellence programme “Agenda 4 plus One”. This programme includes a global footprint initiative that is examining the strategic and economic competitiveness and long-term sustainability of all Schaeffler locations worldwide. As part of this initiative the Executive Board has decided to reorganise its activities in the UK.
Dundee closure ‘supports Michelin’s intent to accelerate cost savings’ – analyst report
An analyst report published by Jefferies International Limited has stated that the closure of Michelin’s Dundee plant “supports [the company’s] intent to accelerate cost savings during 2019-20.” Presenting its nine-month 2018 results in October, Michelin warned that demand had deflated in the car and truck markets and it was revising down its guidance; subsequently Michelin shares fell to a seven-year low.
Michelin closing Dundee tyre factory
Two months after the tyre manufacturer began a restructuring programme at its factory in Dundee, Michelin is set to close the plant at the cost of about 850 jobs. Michelin, which has run the Dundee site since 1971, says it plans to leave the city by 2020.
Kordsa wins Platin Global 100 award
Kordsa has been named as one of the Global 100 enterprises. According to a study conducted by Platin magazine in association with IPSOS. Platin also gave Kordsa the Industry 4.0 award in the textile category.
Eastman experts to discuss sulphur dispersion in high severity service heavy tyres
Sulphur dispersion and formulation insights for high-severity service in heavy tyres will be the focus of work shared by two Eastman Tire Additives scientists at the KHK 13th Fall Rubber Colloquium in Hannover, Germany 6-8 November, 2018. The technical presentation by Dr. Dominica Wong will explore why the tensile dispersion test provides valuable insights into sulphur dispersion and how this approach guided the development of innovations such as Eastman Crystex Cure Pro insoluble sulphur. A poster by Dr. Leandro Forciniti will examine how polymers and other additives influence formulations for high-severity service in heavy tyres, including Eastman Impera performance resins.
EU makes final truck tyre anti-dumping duties decision, retains fixed rates for manufacturers
The European Union has made its conclusive statement on the introduction of anti-dumping tariffs on truck and bus tyres and retreads manufactured in China. As previously announced, the EU will impose fixed rate anti-dumping duties on the products, with the final regulation 2018/1579 implemented from 23 October. This ends speculation that percentage rates could be applied. In fact, the EU has revised tariff levels up, almost across the board.
Cooper announces plan to end light vehicle tyre production at Melksham
Cooper Tire Europe is to enter a 10 month consultation period to decide the future of light vehicle tyre production at its Melksham, Wiltshire facility. News sources suggest that light vehicle tyre production currently in Melksham would be shifted to its factory in Serbia, pending the outcome of the consultation. The company states that the proposed change is a result of the “cost-competitive, globalised environment.” It adds that the Melksham facility “in its present form is not competitive within the Cooper global manufacturing network or the tyre industry at large.” It is Cooper Tire Europe’s highest cost production facility, and the company adds that it considers expanding or updating the facility to meet its light vehicle tyre needs to be “not economically feasible.”
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres marks two years without a RIDDOR accident
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres (DAT) reports the world’s only specialist producer of aircraft tyres has achieved two years of continuous operation at its Birmingham, UK, plant without a reportable accident. “This is a fantastic result and one which we believe to be unique in the current UK tyre industry and amongst the best for this region” claimed Gordon Roper, Chief Executive Officer.
Hella opens new electronics plant in Lithuania
Hella, the lighting and electronics specialist, has opened a new plant in Lithuania. Based in the Lithuanian Kaunas region, the new facility will serve the rising demand for electronics components in the European market. The production focus will initially be on lighting electronics components, but will soon be expanded to include various sensors, actuators and control units.
VMI Extrusion relocates to Cham, Germany facility
On 12 September VMI’s new extrusion technology centre and manufacturing facility was officially opened by Karin Bucher, mayor of Cham and Edward Holweg, COO of VMI, in the presence of employees and invitees.
VMI wins Pirelli Supplier Award 2018
During a ceremony held at Pirelli’s headquarters in Milan, Italy recentlym VMI received the Supplier Award for high quality and support. Chief purchasing officer Matteo Battaini handed over the Award to Harm Voortman, CEO of VMI Group:
Apollo: Kerala plant returning to normal levels
Apollo Tyres’ manufacturing facilities in Kerala (located in Perambra and Kalamassery) are now returning to normal production levels, according to the company. Production operations in the two plants were affected by heavy floods in the state which prevented employees getting in to work. Writing in an official statement on the matter, company representatives said: “There is no damage to equipment or property, and all the employees of the company are safe and secure. The production loss due to this natural calamity is 3000 metric tonnes approximately. However, consequential loss of profit is not significant.”
DuPont increases Zytel prices globally
Polymer producer DuPont has announce that it will increase its Zytel prices globally. Effective from 1 October, or as soon as contracts allow, DuPont Transportation & Advanced Polymers is increasing the price of Zytel products by the equivalent of $550 per metric tonne.
Eastman scientists speaking on enhancing productivity, tyre longevity at ITEC 2018
Three Eastman scientists will discuss using insoluble sulphur to improve manufacturing productivity, the relationship between resin chemistry and tyre performance, and innovative solutions to maintain steel cord adhesion at the International Tire Exhibition and Conference (ITEC) in Akron, Ohio, 11-13 September 2018.
Update: Apollo factories running again
Following serious flooding in Kerala state, India, Apollo Tyres wrote to the stock exchange warning of plan shutdowns in light of the adverse conditions.