Trelleborg Expands in Asia, Introduces New Ag Line
Trelleborg has acquired an operation in Xingtai (Hebei), in eastern China, to facilitate expansion in Asian markets for specialty tires, primarily agricultural tires. The company’s industrialization plan includes both cross-ply and radial tires requested by the local markets, the new agro industrial radial line, and the Maximo line, a new rear radial range for tractors
U.K. Giant Kwik-Fit Sold to Itochu?
Kwik-Fit has reportedly been sold to Itochu Corp., the Japanese conglomerate that owns Stapleton’s. According to a City AM report, the deal follows the signing of a three-digit million pound deal March 1. The article suggests Kwik-fit’s former owner, private equity firm PAI Partners has “cashed out” of its six-year ownership of the chain for
European Launch For Yokohama’s BluEarth Eco Tire
Yokohama Rubber Co. has released its BluEarth eco tire series, which the tiremaker said is "environmentally, human and socially friendly," in Europe. Previously only available in Japan, the first product in the series is the flagship product BluEarth-1, which will be available April 1. In addition to improved fuel efficiency through reducing rolling resistance, the
Vredestein Releases Eco-Focused Quatrac Lite
A new addition to Vredestein’s Quatrac all-season family, first established in 2007 with the Quatrac 3, is scheduled for release at the Geneva International Motor Show. The new product, the Quatrac Lite, is described by Apollo Vredestein as being the first "green" all-season tire. In announcing its imminent launch, the tiremaker said the Quatrac Lite
New Symbol, Tagline, Philosophy For 80-Year-Old Bridgestone
It’s now 80 years since Shojiro Ishibashi established Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd. in the Japanese city of Kurume, and to commemorate its oak anniversary Bridgestone Corp. has unveiled a new corporate symbol, brand tagline and announced a refinement of its "The Bridgestone Essence" corporate philosophy. These changes, the tiremaker explained in a press statement, are
Solideal Launches Forklift Resilient Tire in Europe
Camoplast Solideal Inc. launched the new Solideal Xtreme Forklift resilient tire for the industrial material handling industry in the European market.The tire offers greater tread life, lateral load stability and fatigue performance, as well as reduced rolling resistance for lower vehicle energy consumption, according to the company. The Solideal Xtreme features a continuous center tread
More for Michelin Plant in Scotland?
News of Michelin plans to invest in its Dundee, Scotland, facility is circulating in various Scottish newspapers and websites. According to reports, the tyiremaker intends to inject a "multi-million pound" investment into the plant in order to facilitate the production of its latest premium eco passenger car tires. A Michelin study is said to be
Pirelli Boosting China Capacity, Plans
Within the next two years capacity at Pirelli’s Jining factory in China’s Shandong province will double to 10 million tires per annum. During a China-based interview with Bloomberg TV on Feb. 24, company chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera mentioned the capacity expansion as part of a 300 million euro investment in China to be made over
Dandelion Rubber Captures Conti Eye
Continental AG says it has "latched onto" results of a university study into the latex properties inherent in dandelions. A research team at the University of Münster subjected the Asteraceae family flower to a number of lab tests and observed they produce a gum elastic equal in quality to rubber tree latex. Since learning of
AIA Celebrates the Big 3-0
The Auto International Association is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Founded in 1981, AIA’s dual missions are to champion free and fair trade between the international automotive parts community and the North American aftermarket, and to promote the unique qualities associated with the distribution of parts for import nameplate vehicles. AIA became part of the