Tag: South Africa
Bridgestone looking to increase capacity in South Africa
Bridgestone is considering increasing production capacity at its tyre factories in South Africa in order to gain market share in the country’s minibus taxi segment. It appears to be looking at investing around ZAR 300 million (£16.1 million) in its plants, a capex additional to the ZAR 400 million investment it is currently completing at the company’s main production site in Brits.
BestDrive expands across Southern Africa
BestDrive, the franchise tyre retail fitment division of Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA), is one of the fastest-growing networks in Southern Africa. The tyre retailer currently has 149 BestDrive dealers across Southern Africa, located in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Mauritius.
Ford starts exporting cars from South Africa to Europe
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) is expanding its vehicle export operations by adopting a multi-port strategy with the first shipment of 1000 locally assembled Ford Rangers from Port Elizabeth to markets in Europe.
Marangoni acquires Leader Rubber majority shareholding
The Marangoni Group has acquired a majority shareholding, 51 per cent, in the South African tread maker Leader Rubber Company SA (Pty) Ltd. The move is the latest development in the decade-long partnership between Leader Rubber and Marangoni. The Italian company acquired a 25 per cent share in the company in 2015, a move it described as the “culmination of a partnership that has been ongoing for several years.”
Magna Tyres opens South Africa office
Magna Tyres Group has opened a new regional office in South Africa. In recent years, Magna Tyres has been extremely successful in South Africa and the neighbouring countries. According to the company, the objective is to increase market share, focus on improving customer relationships and satisfaction in this high potential region.
Goodyear South Africa’s new HQ
While Goodyear celebrates '120 Years of Innovation' in 2018, in South Africa the company is also celebrating moving to a new headquarters at the Hertford Office Park in Midrand. Goodyear South Africa has consolidated its Johannesburg-based offices to support the dompany's business strategy of business simplification, increased efficiencies and enabling effective employee engagement.
Sumitomo Rubber begins commercial tyre production in South Africa plant
Production of truck and bus tyres began at the Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. factory in Ladysmith, South Africa on 19 July. The tyre maker invested 970 million rand (£55.8 million) to add commercial tyre capacity to the plant, thereby ending Sumitomo Rubber South Africa’s reliance upon imports to satisfy demand for its truck and bus tyres in Africa.
BKT launches Xtractor 2018 website
A tractor isn’t the first vehicle that springs to mind when planning a 4,000-mile odyssey through South Africa that passes through national parks, along gold mines and over plateau, however this is the transport of choice for the 16-strong team taking part in Xtractor 2018. Early next week, four McCormick tractors will depart Cape Town on this 49-day on- and off-road journey, riding on the Agrimax Force and Agrimax RT 657 rubber provided by Xtractor tyre partner BKT. The off-road tyre specialist has created a mini-website where all interested parties can follow the team’s progress; regular updates and real time news from Xtractor 2018 can be found at Xtractor.bkt-tires.com.
Tyrexpo Africa 2018 confirms Nexen, Nankang, Doublestar and more
With just over two months to go before Tyrexpo Africa 2018 opens in Johannesburg, South Africa in early April, Singapore-based organiser SingEx has confirmed the participation of several global brands in the tyre, tyre repair equipment and tyre accessories. More than 100 international companies will be exhibiting at the event, with what the organiser describes as a significant number making their debut at the exhibition.
Kal Tire acquires Tyre Corporation’s South Africa business
The Kal Tire Mining Tire Group has acquired the South African operations of Tyre Corporation. It is hoped that the transaction, which took place for an undisclosed sum, will enable the growth achieved by Tyre Corporation in South Africa over the past decade to continue. It also gives Tyre Corporation’s customers access to Kal Tire services such as its exclusive Ultra Repair process for ultra-class tyres.
Bridgestone South Africa comments on ‘unlawful’ power disconnection
Bridgestone South Africa has voiced its support for the legal action undertaken by the Brits Industrialists Association (BIA) against the Local Municipality of Madibeng. The BIA has launched a claim for damages against the municipality on behalf of its members after their electricity supply was unlawfully disconnected. Bridgestone states that its Brits tyre plant was one of the factories affected.
Davanti signs South African distribution deal
Davanti will be distributed in South Africa by Tyremart, one of the country’s largest independent tyre fitment franchises. With immediate effect, Tyremart will promote and sell the complete Davanti range of car, 4x4/SUV and light commercial vehicle tyres having signed an exclusive distribution agreement.
STARCO divests South African subsidiary
Four years ago, STARCO established a new subsidiary in South Africa together with its local distributor, Mac and TireCity. The company has now decided to divest its 50 per cent shareholding and exit South Africa in order to strengthen its focus on its core business and OEM customers across Europe. STARCO’s shareholding has been transferred to a newly-established company owned by Mac and TireCity.
Transaid’s ‘largest ever team of cyclists’ ready to roll
Transaid has assembled the largest ever team of cyclists to take part in one of its fundraising challenges in Africa – with each of the 43 available bikes now assigned to a rider for Cycle South Africa 2017.
Brexit, the continuing saga
We were told that 29 March was the Brexit deadline. As we go to press in the week after that deadline passed, it is clear that we don’t know either when or how we are going to Brexit. As we discussed last month, the consensus amongst analysts and the automotive industry is that there will be a massive negative impact on vehicle manufacturing (and therefore automotive suppliers) in the UK. But what else do we have to look forward to?
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