VMI has launched its new VMI UNIXX Belt Maker, describing it as “a game-changer in steel belt making”. According to the company, the VMI UNIXX Belt Maker produces high quality endless steel belts via a special extrusion process that can handle a wide range of compounds.
VMI is celebrating the opening of three new assembly halls at its manufacturing site in Leszno, Poland. This brings VMI’s total available floor space in Poland to almost 30,000 square meters. The expansion of the VMI operation, which is part of technology company TKH, follows a number of years of strong growth in VMI’s core tyre and pharmaceutical business.
In three decisions made on 13 and 14 December 2022, the IP Tribunal of the Supreme People’s Court of China found in favour of VMI and against Safe-Run in litigation related to patent ownership disputes. VMI considers these decisions a victory “for all innovators everywhere.”
Leading independent tyre building machinery manufacturer VMI has invested in its technical support teams in Yantai, China, Epe, the Netherlands and Stow, USA. It says each expert team is now equipped to provide the same level of support anywhere.
According to parent company TKH Group NV, business at Netherlands-based machinery manufacturer VMI was very healthy during the first six months of 2022, with tyre building equipment contributing in no small way to TKH’s 24.0 per cent year-on-year increase in turnover.
VMI has launched a new automatic bead apex assembly system designed to complement its existing bead apexing solution. This addition to the range is called VMI Revolute, and the machinery manufacturer says it offers users the advantages of optimised automation, improved bead apex quality, increased flexibility and enhanced sustainability performance.
Together with its employees, VMI has raised 160,00 euros through a fundraising action and has donated this to Giro 555, the Dutch part of the global Emergency Appeals Alliance. The donation will be used to provide practical support to the Ukrainian people and those affected by the conflict.
Often when we see the words ‘VMI’ and ‘China’ used in the same sentence, the context is a court ruling or copyright infringement. But although such issues are significant, they tell by no means the entire story of VMI in China. The company is now looking back at its 25 years in this market, a period it describes as one of “extraordinary change in the Chinese tyre industry” – change that “VMI has been at the heart of it.”
VMI Holland says it “strongly welcomes” the decisions made by the Higher People’s Court of Jiangsu Province in its favour in two final judgements, delivered on 3 November 2021. The court has not only refused Safe-Run’s application to set aside the first instance judgements that a lower court made against the company; it has also maintained the damages for Safe-Run’s continued infringement of one of VMI’s patents in China.
Leading tyre building machinery manufacturer VMI Holland B.V. has issued a firm rebuke to Safe-Run Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd after the latter issued a press release on 31 July claiming victory in the companies’ ongoing legal dispute. Contrary to Safe-Run’s view, VMI said the Jiangsu High People’s Court of China’s ruling represented “a major defeat for Safe-Run and almost total vindication of VMI’s position.” VMI first announced it had won “a significant lawsuit” against Safe-Run relating to its intellectual property in February 2021. Subsequently, the Netherlands-based firm said the appeal court finalised its judgement that Safe-Run were infringing on VMI’s two key patents relating to tyre building machines. Safe-Run was ordered to stop infringements immediately and pay VMI damages totalling RMB 2.46 million (around 320,000 euros). VMI notes that these payments are “very high [compared] to the average damage awards of around RMB 100,000 in similar cases in China.” Safe-Run’s statement is not currently available.
Netherlands-based manufacturer of machinery for the tyre and retreading industries, VMI Holland B.V. (VMI), reports having won a “significant lawsuit” in its ongoing legal dispute with Safe-Run Intelligent Equipment Shares Ltd. Co. (Safe-Run). VMI comments that the case in question relates to infringement of intellectual property and patent hijacking, adding that the lawsuit it recently won confirms “the malicious intent of Safe-Run.”
Kama Tyres has commissioned new passenger car and light truck tyre manufacturing equipment at its Nizhnekamskshina plant in Tatarstan. The Tatneft tyre manufacturing business says the two VMI MAXX tyre builders and the Apexer, a unit that automatically assembles freshly extruded apex with a pre-manufactured bead, are now in operation.
Rosava reports that its modernisation programme is continuing despite the coronavirus crisis. The Ukraine-based tyre maker shares that six containers with a new VMI Exxium tyre builder arrived at its plant today. This will allow it to extend its portfolio with increased production of 15- to 20-inch dimensions.
Michelin and VMI were the big winners at the Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence. Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year was won by VMI for its Synchro Crown Drum, while Michelin sealed the Tire Technology and Tire Manufacturer of the Year double, the former in recognition of its airless tyre, Uptis. Tire Industry Supplier of the Year was Eastman, while Environmental Achievement of the Year was RubberJet Valley’s environmentally friendly High-Pressure Water Jet technology.
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