MNA and TCI Launch Disaster Response Service Unit
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) and its subsidiary TCI Tire Centers unveiled a new disaster response service unit that will be used in areas hit by natural disasters.
Kumho Says It Will Build New DC in Georgia
(Akron/Tire Review) Kumho Tire USA Inc. formally announced that it is indeed building a new distribution center in the Atlanta area.
Kumho Announces Petit Le Mans Sweepstakes
(Akron/Tire Review) Consumers have a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip for two to the 2007 Petit Le Mans as part of Kumho Tire Co.’s Petit Le Mans Xperience Sweepstakes.
Maxxis Sponsors Time Attack Series
(Akron/Tire Review) Maxxis International will sponsor a Time Attack series in the U.S. beginning this year.
The Man Who Said No to Wal-Mart
(Akron/Tire Review – Reprinted from Fast Company) Every year, thousands of executives venture to Bentonville, Ark., hoping to get their products onto the shelves of the world’s biggest retailer. But Jim Wier wanted Wal-Mart to stop selling his Snapper mowers.
TBC Becomes Sponsor of Petty NASCAR Entry
(Akron/Tire Review) Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ TBC Corp. unit has got the NASCAR bug. TBC has become the primary sponsor for Kyle Petty for four NASCAR Nextel Cup series events.
No End in Sight: Whether Premium- or Value-Priced, UHP Tires Are Here to Stay
Need some good news for once? Ultra-high performance tires have mushroomed into the single fastest-growing tire segment. From 2000 to 2004, sales of UHP tires were up 161%, jumping 32% from 2003 to 2004 alone. In terms of units sold, the numbers look like this: 3.99 million in 2000, 7.9 million in 2003 and 10.4
Industry Report
RMA Cuts Support After Court Ruling Hopes for a tire industry checkoff program were dealt a couple of significant ®€“ potentially fatal ®€“ blows in late February after yet another court ruled that a popular checkoff program’s consumer education effort was unconstitutional, and the RMA withdrew support for the proposed program.
Industry Report
Reports Say Georgia Site of Planned Toyo PlantIt’s existing capacity stretched to the limit, Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. took a giant step forward, announcing on Feb. 17 plans for a new $150-million passenger and light truck/SUV tire plant that would come on stream in 2006. News reports out of Atlanta in early February indicated the company received approval to build the plant in Bartow County, Ga., about 60 miles north of Atlanta. Toyo said the plant would have the capacity to produce two million consumer tires per year.
Industry Report
With a new three-year labor contract in hand, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. turned its attention to other restructuring issues as it works to right its financial ship. The tiremaker formally announced the closing of its Huntsville, Ala., plant, then laid off about 200 employees from its Tyler, Texas, facility.