The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has further scaled back its outlook on world production of natural rubber. As per the revised outlook, world production is expected to fall by 4.7 per cent to 13.130 million tonnes during 2020.
Tyre maker and automotive technology company Continental has ceased production in some of its plants until further notice. It informed the Frankfurt Stock Exchange of measures put in place to adjust production around the world in response to the spread of the coronavirus and the effect of this upon vehicle production. Continental confirmed that its adjustments include complete production stops in some cases.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems reports that it has moved to general remote working in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Writing in a letter to customers sent by email, the company affirmed that employees will still be available by phone and email and that “availability of agricultural tyres is still assured”.
On the evening of 10 March, Pirelli announced that one of the employees at its Turin factory has tested positive for Covid-19. The third statement in two days from Pirelli said that company was informed by the family of an employee at its Settimo Torinese factory, with the subsequent confirmation of healthcare authorities. In response, the company has slowed down production, but says that it continues to guarantee supply to clients:
Figures released by the Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that UK car production resumed its downward trend in September, with output falling 3.8 per cent to round off a turbulent first nine months. Production during the month totalled 122,256 units, almost 5,000 fewer than September last year.
A total of 7,320 commercial vehicles were produced in UK factories in September, reports the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This figure represents an 11.7 per cent year-on-year decline compared with September 2018. Output for crucial overseas markets was up some 25.4 per cent, but production for the domestic market fell -44.5 per cent in the face of ongoing political and economic uncertainty.
Another blow on the automotive industry’s chin as we inch closer towards a no-deal Brexit. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has released its latest UK manufacturing figures, and they make a depressing read. British car manufacturing output fell by more than a fifth in the first half of 2019, while commercial vehicle production was down more than 16 per cent and engine production almost 11 per cent. KPMG considers these numbers “worrying.”
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.
A Tamworth based manufacturer of high-performance brake components for the motorsport and performance vehicle market has secured a £3 million finance package from HSBC UK to fund new state-of-the-art machinery to boost production. Alcon has used the funding to purchase five Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines as well as a noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) dynamometer.
According to local news sources, the Michelin earthmover tyre factory in Starr, South Carolina will reopen today. The Anderson Observer writes that the facility’s reactivation will be made official at an event held at the plant today.
Truck tyre production at Apollo Tyres’ factory in Gyöngyöshalász, Hungary will begin before the end of September. According to Gaurav Kumar, chief financial officer of Apollo Tyres Ltd., production is scheduled to start during the July to September quarter and the ramp-up of truck tyre production will then continue and reach a maximum capacity of 1,200 pieces per day by the end of March next year.
Flooding in India’s Kerala state has claimed hundreds of lives since June and forced hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes. It has also affected industry within the region. In letters sent to the BSE and the National Stock Exchange of India, Apollo Tyres reports that flooding has disrupted production at two of its tyre plants.
Photo: Continental AG