Tag: Middle East
Bridgestone adds India to EMEA region
From 1 January 2020, Bridgestone’s India business will fall into the EMEA Strategic Business Unit (SBU), transferring from the China, Asia-Pacific SBU. As a result, Bridgestone Europe, Russia, Middle East and Africa (BSEMEA) will become Bridgestone Europe, Russia, Middle East, India and Africa (BSEMIA), one of four SBUs globally, alongside Bridgestone China, Asia-Pacific, Bridgestone Americas, and Bridgestone Japan. According to the company, the integration of Bridgestone India into EMEA comes as a result of Bridgestone EMEA’s “ongoing transformation capitalising on the opportunities digitalisation offers to pioneer mobility solutions that meet the needs of customers for convenience, efficiency and sustainability”.
Mete Ekin leading Bridgestone Emerging Market business
As of 1 October, Mete Ekin is vice president of Bridgestone Emerging Markets. In this role he oversees Bridgestone EMEA’s businesses in Africa, the Middle East and Russia. The former regional managing director Middle East and Africa reports to Paolo Ferrari, chief executive officer of Bridgestone EMEA.
Michelin opens regional office in Dubai
Michelin has opened new Africa, India and the Middle East (AIM) operations headquarters at the Dubai Airport Freezone in Dubai. The official opening ceremony took place at the new headquarters in the presence of dignitaries including Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, director general of Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA); Marc Pasquet, president for Michelin, Africa, India and the Middle East (AIM); and Raja Rabia, Consul General of France. The new facility will be managing 87 offices across the region.
GRI acquires Nortire OU
Sri Lanka-based speciality tyre manufacturer GRI reports that it has acquired the Estonia-based Nortire Group. Headquartered in Estonia, with a branch in Latvia and two branches in Lithuania, Nortire is a speciality tyre distributor. According to GRI, the acquisition will further expand the GRI’s global tyre service network, while attaining a significant foothold in the North European tyre market. The news follows a non-acquisition Middle East strategic partnership with Al-Dobowi in April 2019.
Conti opening Saudi regional office
Continental is planning to open a Middle East regional office in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The joint venture project with the company’s previous distributor in Saudi Arabia, Almutlak Trade & Industries, will support growing demand for Continental’s products and services in the kingdom, according to the company.
Russia, Saudi Arabia to finalize rubber joint venture by end of 2018
Russia and Saudi Arabia will finalize several joint projects by the end of 2018, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak recently told journalists. The projects referred to see Saudi Aramco partner with Russain firms Sibur and Novatek. The Sibur plant plans centre on a particularly significantly sized rubber factory.
Pirelli deploys Groove Glove technology in Middle East
Pirelli’s Middle East tyre retail operation has adopted Groove Grove technology as a way of improving its service offer. According to local news reports, Groove Grove was created by Tire Profiles, a partner of MAHA Maschinenbau Haldenwang GmbH & Co., the German supplier of high-end garage and vehicle inspection equipment. Using the technology, motorists can get tyre-related information, including suspension, pressure, alignment, wear and tear and replacement recommendations. The technology also has the capability to calculate the tread depth of the major grooves on a tyre to a tenth of a millimetre.
Scandinavian Enviro Systems sign Middle-Eastern tyre recycling deal
Scandinavian Enviro Systems has signed a HoA (Heads of Agreement) with the German company DHF Development to facilitate the establishment of one or more recycling plants in The Middle East together with Industrial Development and Renovation Organisation of Iran (IDRO). The agreement is valid for a period of three months. The deal was signed on 6 July 2018.
Wanli considering Europe for $1 billion tyre factory investment
Wanli-owner Guangzhou Vanlead Group Co. Ltd. has indefinitely postponed plans to invest US$1 billion in the construction of a tyre factory in South Carolina, USA. Now the company is said to be considering alternative locations including some in Europe
Davanti displays expanded range, including new A/T tyre at Automechanika Dubai
Davanti has exhibited its extended range of tyres at Automechanika Dubai, reporting positive reactions to its expansion strategy across Europe and Asia. The brand included its recently launched all-terrain tyre, the Terratoura, explaining that a full range of tyres is a prerequisite for building Davanti’s profile in new markets. The company also mentioned the value of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) accreditation in the Middle East – a measure Davanti has taken with its whole range, where competitors have chosen to accredit only the most popular sizes.
Sanchini Bridgestone’s sales director for MEA
Stefano Sanchini has been appointed sales director for Bridgestone in the Middle East & Africa region. He joins Bridgestone from Goodyear, and although the tyre maker only recently announced his appointment, Sanchini has been with Bridgestone since August 2017.
Inaugural Automechanika Riyadh anticipates increased demand from women drivers
The expected influx of Saudi drivers from 2018 will have a significant impact on the auto parts, maintenance and services industry, with manufacturers and suppliers advised to stake their claim early in a market full of new opportunities, the chief of the Kingdom’s only dedicated aftermarket trade show said.
Davanti Tyres appoints Terramar on exclusive Middle East sales deal
Davanti Tyres has signed an exclusive sales deal across the Middle East with international trading house Terramar GmbH. The private brand of UK wholesaler Oak Tyres states that this continues its global expansion plans, building upon strong global sales since its launch in 2015. The deal joins distribution arrangements made in South Africa in late 2016. Terramar will sell Davanti Tyres exclusively across the Middle East from June 2017.
BKT wins port tyre manufacturing award
The award of ‘Port Tyre Manufacturer of the Year’ at the recent Terminal Operator Excellence Awards 2016 in Dubai went to Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT).