MAK spotlights innovations at Tire Cologne
Italian-based wheelmaker MAK reports that it is showcasing a wide range of innovations relating to both its products and services.
Wheels
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Superior Industries promotes Trautmann to senior development role
With its roots in motorsport, wheel manufacturer Superior Industries prioritises technology that maximises wheel performance. In line with this legacy, the company has appointed Marco Trautmann its Senior Director of Product Development Europe. Additionally, Sven Fierenkothen has been tasked with reorganising the Aftermarket division and is responsible for this area on an interim basis.
David Geraghty appointed moveero CEO
David Geraghty has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) industrial and OTR wheelmaker moveero with immediate effect. Geraghty brings over 25 years’ experience in senior roles with multi-national, multi-billion-dollar organisations to the business, including his most recent position as president of Yokohama Off Highway Tires (YOHT), America, responsible for Aftermarket and OE operations.
Wheel maker BBS in brand rights dispute with former owner
A set-to is brewing in Germany’s Black Forest. As our German sister site Reifenpresse.de reports, the new owner of wheel manufacturer BBS, Turkey’s ISH Holding, can’t sell and distribute wheels for aftermarket customers. Brand rights appear to lie at the heart of the matter, and although neither former owner Klaus Wohlfarth (KW Automotive) nor the Turkish investor have officially commented, Reifenpresse.de notes that the rumour mill has been churning for weeks. The company’s works council has now spoken out, making an appeal to the previous owner.
MAK releases Sturm alloy wheel for BMW SUVs
MAK has released the Sturm alloy wheel; for BMW’s range of mid-to-large SUVs. The wheel offers fitments starting with the mid-size X3 up to the imposing XM with a sporty design that is particularly appropriate for the M Competition line of the Bavarian brand.
Chinese authorities seize fake Yokohama wheels
Until recently, half a dozen companies in China produced counterfeit Yokohama Advan Racing alloy wheels, but their days of fakery are over thanks to the joint efforts of intellectual property rights holder Yokohama Rubber and the authorities in three cities. Yokohama Rubber speaks of a “successful completion of its efforts to eliminate counterfeit versions of the company’s aluminium wheels in China.”
MAK presents Tesla-targeted Solar alloy wheel line
MAKMAK has introduced the new Solar alloy wheel line designed for fitment on Tesla models. The Solar is ECE, NAD and TÜV/KBA approved with the same weight and technical characteristics of the original wheel and with a capacity designed to accommodate the extra load electric cars place on their wheels. The Solar features a “turbine” style design matched to the Tesla Model 3 in the 18” size and the Model Y, a 2023 European bestselling model, in the 19” size.
Reinventing the Wheel – investment in STARCO’s plant in Croatia
STARCO is undertaking significant investments in digital and green technologies and materials at its steel wheel factory in Croatia. It launched this project in mid-2023, installing a new automated reciprocater paint system that can simultaneously paint a larger number of wheels, thereby more efficiently using the painting line and ovens. Additional equipment will soon join this unit and commence operations within the first half of 2024.
Departures & arrivals – changes to Borbet’s management team
Three managing directors are parting ways with wheel manufacturer Borbet, and not all are going voluntarily. One is Oliver J. Schneider, who as managing director of Borbet Vertriebs GmbH is in charge of aftermarket business. He is leaving at his own request, and Borbet has yet to name his successor. Two other members of the Borbet GmbH management team also ended their tenures with the company in the past week.
Insolvency proceedings commence for Superior Industries Production Germany
The self-administration order in place during insolvency proceedings for Superior Industries Production Germany GmbH, represented by managing directors Sven Damm and Maximilian Funk, has been cancelled. Insolvency proceedings for the wheel manufacturer opened on 1 December.
Turkey-based investor acquires wheel maker BBS
An investor has been found for insolvent wheel manufacturer BBS Automotive GmbH. The insolvency administrator handling the case reports that a firm called ISHManagementServices GmbH is planning to extensively invest in the Schiltach, Germany-based business. ISH is backed by İş Global Teknik İnşaat A.S., a family-owned holding group from Turkey.
Strong demand for Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels – Groundbreaking for Hungary plant expansion
On Tuesday, Alcoa Wheels Europe broke ground on a plant expansion in Hungary that will meet growing demand for Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels. The start of work at the Howmet-Köfém LLC site follows the recent celebration of Alcoa’s 75th anniversary.
Andreas Güntner heading wheel maker Borbet Thüringen
As announced during 20th-anniversary celebrations in August, Dr Andreas Güntner has taken over the management of Borbet Thüringen GmbH, the Borbet subsidiary responsible for operating the company’s Bad Langensalza plant. Güntner brings a quarter-century of experience with leading OEM suppliers and knowledge of the wheel business to his new role.
moveero responds to autonomous vehicle demands
With the use of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in off-highway applications growing rapidly, the designs of a wide range of components, including both wheels and tyres, are having to change. Indeed, in some sectors, the moveero design team has already responded to their introduction with the development of new, patented wheel technologies to meet the different requirements of these vehicles. Traditional wheel and rim designs simply may not deliver the performance requirements that are demanded by AVs. Rather than being completely new designs though, AVs generally require wheels that deliver increased durability, strength and longevity, with existing designs and processes evolving to provide solutions that meet these demands.
Kenda breaks ground on new Martin Wheel manufacturing plant in Ohio
KendaKenda has broken ground on the construction of a new 198,000 sq ft Martin Wheel manufacturing facility in Brimfield Township, Ohio, USA. In a social media post announcing the start of construction, the Taiwan-headquartered tyre and wheel firm said the facility, which will contain a plant, warehouse and office space will support growing demand for speciality tyres and wheels in the United States. and is set to be operational in 2024.
