Imagine the thought of tens of thousands of mobile traffic cameras on our roads. No these are not the kind of traffic cameras that are fitted to high police vehicles or are erected at the side of the road. We are talking about cameras installed in private cars, rusty old vans, delivery lorries and even public buses. No its not a nightmare it is the future according to one ex-police chief.
Registration is now open for Standards Testing Laboratories annual Tyre Technology Seminar, held on 18-20 October, 2011 at the company's Massillon, Ohio headquarters. The seminar is a two and a half day event that aims to provide “a comprehensive overview of the technology employed by the tyre industry,” according to the STL. Speakers from the engineering, chemistry and mechanics/vehicle dynamics fields will address topics including tyre testing, tyre design and research, tyre engineering and compounding, product development and advanced concepts. The deadline to register for the seminar is 30 September.
The high cost of fuel remains the biggest cause for concern amongst haulage operators, according to the July 2011 update of the Freight Transport Association's Manager's Guide to Distribution Costs. Commercial vehicle operators continue to be squeezed by rising operating costs and pressure for earlier payment terms from suppliers whilst facing downward pressure on haulage rates and lengthening payment terms from customers.
Aeolus Tyres has launched an improved version of its HN364 winter drive tyre. The brand says the improved winter tyre is a result of its intensive research and development programme. It features inter-connected profile blocks, which “helps to create greater stability, while simultaneously improving safety, comfort and longevity,” according to the company. The tyre is available in the three most common drive axle sizes.
A survey conducted by HiQ suggests that one in two British motorists are risking thousands of pounds’ worth of fines and potential driving bans by making journeys on dangerously worn tyres. 42 per cent of cars surveyed had at least one illegal tyre, with major areas of concern in the Birmingham, north east and Cheshire areas of the UK. The results are significantly up from HiQ’s last audit in 2009, when 27 per cent of motorists were driving on illegal tyres. HiQ’s retail development manager Farrell Dolan said that the results proved that despite years of highlighting the danger of bare, worn tyres, the safety message is still not getting through, saying that now the company will alter the tyre safety message it transmits to its customers.
State-owned China National Chemical Corp (ChemChina) said in its first Sustanability Report that scientific development will be the main focus of its next five-year plan (2012-2017). During 2006-2011, ChemChina put more than 12 billion yuan ($1900 million) into technology research, an annual increase of 14.5 percent. The company owns seven subsidiaries, including Aeolus Tyres, Guilin Rubber, Yiyang Rubber and the Xinghuo Organic Silicon Co, that are national technology centres.
Marangoni tyres helped Simone Faggioli rout the field at Ilirska Bistrica in Slovenia to record the best time in both heats of the race, winning the FIA Hill Climb European Championship with one race still remaining. Faggioli drove his Osella FA30-Zytek with Marangoni Zeta Linea racing tyres to a fourth championship victory, making him one of the legends of the sport. Marangoni said Faggioli’s victory and domination of hill climb races over recent years is “confirmation of the exceptional work done by the engineers and technicians at the Italian company’s research & development department”.
Heuver Tyrewholesale has launched an incentive scheme in which customers receive bonus points for each order from the company’s web shop, which can then be exchanged for over 1000 different gifts, from garden tools to televisions. Heuver says the online shop illustrates its belief in the future of e-Commerce in the tyre sector.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems has introduced the Trelleborg High Knurling solution, engineered for high power tractors. Trelleborg says THK represents a “new concept” that has an advanced knurling design with a higher profile, which should improve high speed and torque performance. A new painting process will also yield greater friction between the rim and the tyre, according to the manufacturer.
The Prime Minister of Romania, Emil Boc has inaugurated the extension of Pirelli’s tyre factory in Slatina, accompanied by the Italian manufacturer’s chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera, and the Italian ambassador in Bucharest Mario Cospito. The full 160 million euro extension, begun in 2008 and to be concluded in 2013, will increase production capacity from 7 million passenger car units at the end of 2011 to 10 million by the end of the extension project and the extension of its area. Pirelli says the plant is already one of its most modern, and will become its biggest passenger car tyre plant when the extension is complete.
The Western European car market grew 8 per cent in August despite being down 1 per cent year-to-date. This marks a significant improvement on July which was down 1.5 per cent. According to research produced by Deutsche Bank, August is usually the lowest month of the year with around 750,000 units sold.
In September, Michelin will launch a tyre it says delivers unrivalled tyre life. Naturally, this is a bold statement to make about any tyre and the manufacturer therefore supports this claim with results of independent tests conducted in the United States. Testing of Michelin’s new product, the Commander II, was carried out using a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic and Michelin reports an impressive outcome: The rear tyre proved itself capable of covering distances of up to 25,000 miles or 40,000 kilometres; this is, Michelin comments, almost double the distance the Commander II’s direct competitors can cover. The front tyre displayed an even greater longevity.
Specialty chemical and advanced materials manufacturer Dow Chemical Company and Lehigh technologies, manufacturer of sustainable, micronised rubber powders, have announced their intention to collaborate in order to develop sustainable materials for the tyre industry. Under this partnership, the two companies will combine proprietary technologies to create modified rubber particles, a programme that will combine Dow's expertise in polymer chemistry with Lehigh's strength in sustainable rubber compound development and testing.
Today the Triangle Group will officially launch its new US research, development and sales company. The Shandong province, China-based company then intends to begin its activities in North America with the establishment of a research and development centre in Akron, Ohio; this will be followed by sales offices. Triangle has already hired its first local employee and intends to start its US operations with 30 new local employees – 10 in research and development and 20 in sales. The number of employees is expected to grow as Triangle further establishes its North American operation.
UAE-based tyre, battery and lubricant distributor Zafco has announced the launch of its corporate and social responsibility division. To mark the launch, the company is sponsoring mountaineer Malli Mastan Babu in his latest attempt to scale 13 peaks in South America. Babu hopes to raise environmental awareness with the expedition, the costs of which Zafco will cover. Zafco will also donate funds to plant one tree for every 100 metres Malli climbs, along with employees’ contributions. Zafco has a history of charitable involvement having taken part in blood donation drives and fundraising activities for local none governmental organisations. The launch of the CSR division will streamline these activities and future initiatives and will encompass all community, environment or safety awareness campaigns undertaken by the company.
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