Michelin’s Profits Down 71% in 2009
Michelin reported last week that it saw a decline of 71% in its 2009 profits due to decreased sales to automakers and trucking companies, in addition to a rise in reorganization costs. Sales fell 9.8% to 14.8 billion euros. Net income fell to 106 million euros ($145 million) from 360 million euros in 2008, short
Rolling Forward: Tiremakers Improve Fleets’ Fuel Efficiency Through Technology
Modern trucking fleets face difficult challenges on a day-to-day basis. Fuel efficiency is one of the most important concerns to the contemporary fleet owner. Volatile oil prices dramatically affect the cost of fleet operations and maintenance. Growing environmental concerns push the development of green technologies and shape consumer perceptions of businesses. New government regulations to
Bridgestone Ups Ag Tire Prices
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operation’s Agricultural Tire, U.S. & Canada Commercial Tire Sales division will increases prices on all Firestone branded agricultural, construction and forestry tires, as well as all Bridgestone branded garden tires sold in the U.S. and Canada replacement markets. The increase, effective April 1, will be 5%, with possible adjustments added in-line. “In
Washington Tire Walking a Thin, Thin Wire
You just gotta love public records. Hard for someone notorious for hiding to hide when the government says you just can’t hide. It appears (again) that all is not as it seems with our man-with-a-plan Abraham Hengyucius and his American/Colorado/Washington Tire Corp. You’ll recall that Hengyucius made his pitch to the citizens of the Port
Ontario Grant Helps New Scrap Tire Technology
Canadian firm Ellsin Environmental Ltd. is receiving government support in its implementation of technology that will enable scrap tires to be converted into usable by-products by means of a microwave process. The patented reverse polymerization technology was developed over a period of more than 15 years by another Canadian company, Environmental Waste International (EWI), and
Navistar Selects Continental for Severe Service, Medium Duty Trucks
Continental truck tires are now standard on all International PayStar, WorkStar, and DuraStar severe service and medium duty vehicles, according to an announcement by Navistar International Corp. and Continental Tire North America, Inc. "International truck customers count on their vehicles to provide heavy duty performance and maximum uptime, even in the most demanding conditions,” said
Goodyear Looks Ahead After a Successful 2009
Without a doubt, 2009 was a challenging year. But armed with a strategy that included launching multiple new products, simplifying its brand portfolio and effectively managing its inventory and supply chain, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. came out ahead. In fact, the tiremaker managed to gain marketshare for the sixth consecutive year, according to Rich
More on Washington/Colorado Tire Plant Plans
Sparked by the return of Abraham Hengyucius and the ex-American Tire Corp., our friends at the Heavy Treadin’ blog are on top of their game with this post from last week. Some interesting insight… Washington Tire Update: If They Build It, What’s To Come? It’s been quite awhile folks, and American Tire Corp., Washington Tire
Michelin China Plant a $1 Billion Investment
Groupe Michelin is planning to invest $1 billion in China by 2012 in order to build a passenger car and truck tire manufacturing plant. Construction of the factory, which will be built in Shenyang where Michelin already has another plant, will double the company’s annual capacity in China. In addition Michelin also plans to invest
Plans For Washington Tire Plant Resurface, Expand
More than two years after the project was first announced, it appears now that plans are pressing forward for Washington Tire Corp. (nee American Tire Corp.) to build an OTR tire plant in Washington. The plans have apparently changed dramatically, with passenger and medium truck tire production added to the mix. At a public hearing