European Rubber Journal articles from April 2002

European Rubber Journal archives from April 2002

Conti restructuring leads to $225 m loss for 2001; sales rise nearly 6 percent, but tyre plant closures prove costly for German tyre maker. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Continental AG's 2001 results show a total loss of 258 million [euro] ($225 million) following a surplus the previous year of 205 million [euro]. The Hanover, Germany-based tyre and automotive systems supplier attributed the loss to...

Rhodia to exit paper latex joint venture: French group u-turns from Latexia to focus on performance latex products. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Rhodia is selling its stake in Latexia to Raisio Chemicals of Finland, the French group's partner in the 50:50 paper latex joint venture established just 18 months ago. The sale, which is due for completion this summer, also includes Rhodia's...

Goodyear adds runflat line.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Geneva, Switzerland--Goodyear has brought on stream a fully automated, robotic-based manufacturing system at its Fulda, Germany. plant dedicated to making runflat tyres. The new process--Runflat System for Automated Manufacturing or...

Toyo develops automated tyre system.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Osaka, Japan--Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd has developed a module-based fully automated small lot tyre manufacturing process it is installing at its Sendai, Japan car and light truck tyre plant. Production will be phased in throughout the...

TPEs top Vita's wishlist for future growth: UK group prepares the ground for future expansions despite difficult trading environment. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... British Vita plc's drive to grow its thermoplastic elastomers business will not halt at its recent acquisition of Nolato Elastoteknik AB, according to David Campbell, managing director of the group based at Middleton, near Manchester. ...

Date for UK processors.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] London--UK industry support agency PICME (Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence), is staging a one-day conference at the Cranfield Management Development Centre on 30 April. The event titled "Free the team and boost the...

New name for Icon.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Retford, UK--Icon Northern Rubber is the new corporate identity for the Icon Polymer Group. The new name reflects the fledgling group's acquisition of Retford-based Northern Rubber Co. Ltd at the end of last year.

PSA to build 206 in UK.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] London--PSA Peugeot Citroen is to build the estate version of the Peugeot 206--known as the SW--at its plant in Coventry, in the English West Midlands, government agency Invest-UK announced 5 March.

GenCorp restates earnings.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Sacramento, California--GenCorp Inc. released restated financial results 6 March for the first nine months of 2001, ended 31 Aug, and for the years 2000 and 1999, because of accounting errors at one of its North American sealing plants. ...

Parker, Taiyo to form alliance.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Osaka, Japan--Parker Hannifin Corp. has signed a letter with Osaka-based Taiyo Ltd forming a global strategic alliance. Parker will make a 40-percent equity investment in Taiyo. The transaction will be completed in March, and is expected...

Seals unit added to United Polymers assets; leading UK maker of water seals joins expanding group. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... UK seal maker VIP-Heinke is set to become part of the two-year old United Polymers operation. The seal supplier has been purchased by a consortium including the management team of Grove Industries and Close Brothers Private Equity. West...

Lord, Fukoku ink deal.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Cary, North Carolina--Lord Corp.'s alliance with Japan's Fukoku Co. Ltd--aimed at expanding their markets, products and manufacturing expertise--has been completed and is beginning to pay dividends. The former competitors have begun to...

Record sales for Semperit after acquisitions: international sales offensive pays off for Austrian rubber group. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Semperit AG Holding saw its industrial rubber group, "buck recessive trends in the global economy again in 2001 to record another double-digit increase in turnover." In its 2001 results statement, the Wimpassing, Austria-headquartered rubber...

Trelleborg to supply Johnston.(range of shock and antivibration components)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Leicester, UK--Roadsweepers made by Johnston Engineering Ltd at its Sittingbourne and Dorking sites will be fitted with a range of shock and antivibration components from the Trelleborg Industrial AVS unit in Leicester. The two companies...

Federal-Mogul to expand in Japan: new technical centre in Japan is part of group's strategy to gain business with transplants. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Federal-Mogul Corp. has started a three-year programme to establish a technical centre in Japan. The centre will incorporate applications engineering and computer-aided design and have 24-hour online capabilities between Japan, Europe and North...

Sunarrow uses rubber in thinnest force sensor; silicone rubber plays vital role in phone and PDA sensing unit. (Rubber news).(silicone rubber keys; personal digital assistants)(Product Announcement)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Japanese keypad manufacturer Sunarrow has introduced a new, very thin, force sensor, using silicone rubber keys. The device is a key element in improving the performance of the latest generation of electronic equipment such as mobile phones and...

Maxxim gains glove accounts from AHPC.(Maxxim Medical Inc., American Health Products Co.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] American Health Products Corp (AHPC), the US distributor for glove supplier WRP Corp., is to hand over its medical glove accounts to Maxxim Medical Inc., Under the deal, Maxxim will pay service fees worth up to $375 000 for AHPC's aid with...

Bayer restructures polymer units: production and marketing to be separate operations as structure of Bayer's new polymer grouping is detailed. (Rubber news).(12 units include plastics, polyurethanes, coatings and colorants operations)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Bayer AG's rubber production activities will form one of 12 product-based units within a new subsidiary Bayer Polymers AG, which will also encompass the group's plastics, polyurethanes, coatings and colorants businesses. Each of the 12...

Progress in PolymerLatex, Rhein Chemie sale. (Runner news).(Bayer AG will sell stake in rubber additive making subsidiary)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Bayer AG expects to sell its stake in PolymerLatex GmbH & Co. KG and its rubber additive making subsidiary Rhein Chemie Rheinau in the next six months, officials said at a 13 March press conference. No details were given about the would-be...

SNCP leader heads French auto suppliers group.(French rubber manufacturer's trade association)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Paris--French automotive suppliers group CLIFA (Comite de Liaison des Fournisseurs de I'Automobile) has elected Didier Felgy as its president. Felgy is also president of the French rubber manufacturers' association, SNCP (Syndicat...

Michelin buoyed by robust 2001 margins; market positioning and rationalisation efforts pay off as French tyre group outperforms rivals. (Tyre news).(Goal for earnings margins is between 6.7 % to 7.4%, 10% by 2005)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... Having weathered an "extremely difficult market environment" during 2001, Groupe Michelin president Edouard Michelin declared the company in good shape to meet challenging times ahead. This year, the French tyre group aims to lift margins to...

BS/FS buys European warehouse in Zeebrugge; Belgian port site to serve as hub of BFE's tyre distribution. (Tyre news).(New warehouse handles about 1.8 mn tires annually)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... Bridgestone/Firestone Europe has purchased a European warehouse in Zeebrugge, previously owned by Seapark. The company had been using the premises since it opened in 1998 under a plan to centralise the distribution of truck and bus tyres from...

Sherman to market Goodyear. (ERJ people).(Jeanne Sherman, new director of Global Marketing Services)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Akron, Ohio--The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has named Jeanne Sherman to lead its global marketing services organisation Sherman has more than 20 years experience in sales, marketing strategy, brand management, global advertising and...

Hippe for finance at Conti. (ERJ people).(Continental AG adds Alan Hippe to executive board)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Hanover, Germany--Continental AG has appointed Dr Alan Hippe to its executive board. He will be responsible for finances, controlling and legal affairs. Hippe will take over these areas from Klaus Friedland, who has been responsible both for...

New chairman for DSM. (EJR people).(DSM NV's new supervisory board chairman, C.A.J. Herkstroter)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Geleen, The Netherlands--Professor C.A.J. Herkstroter is to succeed H.H.F. Wijffels as chairman of DSM NV's supervisory board. Herkstroter has been on the DSM Supervisory Board since 1 April 2000 and is "a highly experienced manager with...

Conti, Yokohama set up tyre marketing JV; JV to market tyres to Japanese car makers and their overseas transplants. (Tyre news).(Continental AG, Yokohama Rubber)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Continental AG and Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd have completed an agreement to establish a joint venture in Tokyo to coordinate the supply of tyres to Japanese and South Korean car makers and promote Continental-brand tyre sales in Japan. The...

Bridgestone to bounce back from recall woes; Japanese tyre maker expects to recover US profits and grow sales in Europe. (Tyre news).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... This year, Bridgestone Corp. expects net earnings to almost triple to [yen] 65 000 million ($520 million) from sales 3 percent higher than in 2001. The forecast is based on expectations of an upturn in business in the wake of the company's tyre...

Goodyear selects Fujikura tyre sensor chips.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Geneva, Switzerland--Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has named Fujikura Ltd of Tokyo as a preferred supplier of sensor microchips for low pressure warning systems. The chips will be used in tyres for pressure monitoring warning systems being...

Goodyear drops Wolves sponsorship.(professional soccer team)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Wolverhampton, UK--Goodyear Great Britain Ltd is ending its 12-year-old sponsorship of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club. The club, nicknamed Wolves, provides the local soccer team for the Midlands town, where Goodyear's main UK tyre...

Goodyear, Siemens advance tyre-warning.(tire pressure monitoring software)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Geneva, Switzerland--Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. have developed new tyre pressure monitoring software, which displays two levels of warning message on the vehicle dashboard. For non-critical situations,...

Michelin halts new investment in Stomil; investment freeze is latest tactic in Michelin's battle with Polish firm's minority shareholders. (Tyre news).(Stomil Olsztyn)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Groupe Michelin has halted new investment in Stomil Olsztyn SA until the outcome of a fresh audit into its running of the Polish tyre maker. The move effectively freezes exports of Stomil products to the Michelin group at current levels. ...

Michelin suspends French employment deal; union provokes Michelin into suspending agreement on early retirement. (Tyre news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Groupe Michelin has suspended an agreement covering the early retirement of 4900 workers and the recruitment of 2000 new employees in France over the next five years. The deal, signed last October with unions representing its 26 500-strong...

Honeywell touts cap ply to stop tread separations: polyester supplier claims new cap ply cord eliminates tread separations. (Supplier news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Tread separations could become a thing of the past if tyre maker tests on polyester cap plies are successful. Tyre makers evaluating Beltec polyester cord from Honeywell International Inc. could begin using it for cap plies by the end of...

Corrections to Machinery data in March issue.(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
April 1, 2002... A number of companies have written to us to comment on our feature last month, in which we listed the suppliers of machinery to the rubber industry. In particular, Gumix, Maplan and Govoni Sim Binaca noted that their entries in the listing...

PTS Plastic, Teknor Apex form alliance; US-German Alliance in thermoplastic elastomers promises rapid delivery, and lower shipping costs. (Supplier news).(PTS Plastic Technologie Service)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... German compounder PTS Plastic Technologie Service GmbH is to manufacture and sell Teknor Apex's thermoplastic vulcanisate (TPV) materials in the European Union. Under an agreement signed 1 March, PTS Plastic Technologie will employ Teknor...

NR prices rising as JV by producers starts; loss of Teck Bee Hang's NR production causes price to increase. (Supplier news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The big three natural rubber producing nations are forming a rubber trading joint venture just as NR prices are hitting their highest level in years. Standard Indonesian Rubber 20--the type of rubber most often used by US tyre makers--was...

Wacker Silicones renamed in US.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Adrian, Michigan--Wacker Silicones Corp. has been renamed Wacker Chemical Corp., as part of the company's internal reorganisation process. Business reporting and operational efficiencies prompted the corporate name change, the firm said, and...

Latex plant upgraded.(PolymerLatex)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Bromsgrove, UK--PolymerLatex is installing a new steam production plant to replace an existing unit at its Bromsgrove site. The 2.1-million [pounds sterling] project "reaffirms our commitment to protecting the environment and reducing...

Degussa to sell persulphates plant.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Dusseldorf, Germany--Degussa AG has sold its persulphate production facility at Rheinfelden, Germany to Unionchimica Industriale SpA, the holding company of Italy's Bombardieri Group. The deal is subject to European Commission approval,...

Dow Corning launches e-business.(Xiameter)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Midland, Michigan--Dow Corning Corp. has launched an e-business service, called Xiameter, for purchasers of "commonly used" silicon-based products including resins, silanes, and sealants. "For customers who order in high volumes and need raw...

Instron develops new durometer.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] High Wycombe, UK--Instron Ltd has developed a new durometer suitable for rubber, with cartridges for changing test scales and a large display unit (below).

Europeans set up rubber trade organisation; European NR groups form new trade association. (Supplier news).(Rubber Trade Association of Europe)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... A new organisation, the Rubber Trade Association of Europe, starts operating in March. The organisation has sprung from three well-established rubber trade organisations: Association of the International Rubber Trade in London, the Nederlandse...

Imerys realigns Kaolin.(Imerys Minerals Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] St Austell, UK--Imerys Minerals Ltd is to reorganise its Kaolin operations to supply only the paints, chemicals and polymers market from its UK plants in Devon and Cornwall. The production of pigments for the paper industry is to be...

Rohm and Haas to build plant in India.(emulsion polymers, adhesives)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... [] Taloja, India--Rohm and Haas Co. will spend about $20 million to build a factory in Taloja to make both emulsion polymers and adhesives. The plant will supply the domestic market and serve export needs in the Asia-Pacific region. Rohm...

Russian tyre sector ripe for growth: local tyre makers see potential for growth to take off in Russia as car use rises and road surfaces improve. The sector needs more investment, but is modernising and upgrading equipment. The tyre majors, meanwhile, are waiting for the world's car makers to invest in Russian plants, before participating. (Russian tyre trends).
April 1, 2002... "The Russian tyre market is significantly undercapitalised and presents fertile ground for investment," according to Amtel, a holding group with major interests in tyre making in Russia. "As soon as the ball starts rolling, it will be very...

Data on Russian tyre production. (Russian tyre trends).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... Data on Russian tyre production Total production 27-30 million units, plus imports of 6 to 12 million Changes in tyre production 1991-2001 1991 1996 1997 1998 2001 44.8 mill 20.7 mill 23.8 mill...

Major tyre makers slow to rush in. (Russian tyre trends).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * Groupe Michelin aims to establish Michelin Russian Tyres Manufacturing Co. in Davydovo, near Moscow to make high-quality tyres mainly for the Russian market. * Continental AG signed a letter of intent in April 2001 with the Moscow Tyre...

Offtake deal and warehouse. (Russian tyre trends).(Goodyear)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Goodyear has been active in Russia since 1993, and has now registered a company in Moscow so that it can buy a warehouse to store tyres for selling in Russia. The company is searching for a suitable site at present, said Kirill Baranovski,...

Investment proceeds at Amtel ... (Russian tyre trends).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... In 2001 the Kirov factory underwent a full programme--a technical "revolution" in production--costing $20 million. Amtel vice president Nikolaj Bychenkov said at the Moscow event that the Kirov plant saw. "the successful commissioning of a...

.. And at Yaroslavl Tyre Plant. (Russian tyre trends).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Yaroslavl has invested $25 million over three years for new machinery for radial passenger car tyres, buying new lines, including curing presses from Herbert Maschinenbau in Germany and other equipment from Slovakian firm Matador Its strategy...

Nizhnekamskshina is the biggest. (Russian tyre trends).(tire producer)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Nizhnekamskshina is "the largest enterprise of the tyre industry in Russia," said Rustam Shigapov, marketing manager for Kama, the tyre sales and marketing unit of NKS. In 2002, NKS will produce 9.85 million tyres of all types. with...

Growth is on the way. (Russian tyre trends).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... Global tyre makers are keeping close tabs on Russia because of the high growth potential. Gurion said While Western tyre markets are growing at two or three percent annually at the most, at the pace of overall production growth, and in a...

All-new plant. (Russian tyre trends).(Matador-Omsk's production)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Matador-Omsk, a 50:50 Russian/Slovakian tyre joint venture, made 1.25 million tyres in 2001, up from one million tyres the previous year said Alone Lapina, of the sales department. The JV, formed by Sibur--owner of the local tyre giant OAO...

Diverse range. (Russian tyre trends).(Voronezhshina's tire production)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Voronezhshina plant can make 200 000 tyres of all types a month, with production currently running at 150 000 (excluding bicycle tyres), said Valentina Balo, head of the marketing department. Balo agreed that demand for new equipment at...

Exports high. (Russian tyre trends).(for Belshina)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Belarusian tyre maker Belshina, based in Bobruisk, makes over 200 types and sizes of tyres, from car and LT to HT and also earthmover tyres 3.5 m high weighing 3.5 tonnes, said Piotr Vasiliev, head of the central laboratory. The firm has...

A major force in tyres. (Russian tyre trends).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
April 1, 2002... Amtel is a 12-year-old holding company whose entire focus is on tyres and raw materials, said Alex Gurion, vice president of corporate development. It encompasses nine factories: four tyre plants, three Russian, one Ukrainian; the rubber...

Focus on modernising. (Russian tyre trends).(Yaroslavl)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Yaroslavl is part of the Sibur Group, a petrochemicals corporation which supplies most of the plant's raw materials, said Sergei Kitarov, head of the plant's publicity unit Since 1999, all of Yaroslavl's tyres have been sold through the...

Tyre makers seek systems to integrate brakes and suspension; almost every tyre companies exhibiting at the recent Geneva Motor Show was keen to emphasise its ability to develop integrated systems which can optimise braking and steering performance in cars. Such systems can dramatically improve vehicle handling and stopping distances. (Systems integration).
April 1, 2002... Tyre makers are passing through some kind of revolution. It started a few years ago with Continental's so-called 30m car (capable of stopping from 100kph in 30m or less) and is now manifesting itself as a wholesale commitment to electronics...

GM seeks standards. (Systems integration).(General Motors wants tire standards)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Although as a chassis engineer GM's Michael Meyer does not know much about tyres, he does feel the tyre makers have made a lot of progress in the last few years in terms of their willingness to supply information and systems to the car makers....

Conti Teves. (Systems integration).(developments at Continental AG)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Continental believes its electronic systems are three years or more ahead of the competition. This extends from runflat tyres and pressure warning systems up to more sophisticated electronic systems designed to improve comfort and performance....

Bridgestone, Conti to cooperate. (Systems integration).(Bridgestone and Continental have agreed to share the development and marketing of their runflat tyre systems)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Bridgestone and Continental have agreed to share the development and marketing of their runflat tyre systems. The deal also involves Bridgestone marketing some of Continental's vehicle electronic systems to Japanese auto makers. In terms...

Audi works with Michelin. (Systems integration).(new developments for tyres and suspensions)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Horst Glaser, responsible for suspension development at Audi, said his company is working very hard with Michelin on new developments for tyres and suspensions. He commented that his interest in tyres and their potential contribution to braking...

Bridgestone joins with Japanese suppliers. (Systems integration).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Bridgestone Corp. has been less vocal about its approach to developing integrated tyre, braking and suspension systems than other tyre makers, perhaps because of the recent crisis in North America over its relations with the Ford Motor Co. ...

Pirelli to set up more MIRS Lines; Pirelli is expanding the capacity of its Modular Integrated Robotised System with new capacity in Rome, Georgia and Breuberg, Germany. Some of this is to respond to increase demand for the mini and variants from German car maker BMW. (Systems integration).(Modular Integrated Robotised System)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Pirelli is expanding its MIRS (Modular Integrated Robotised System) manufacturing system, with more lines going into its plant in Breuberg, Germany, and a new plant opening in in Rome, Georgia in the next few weeks. Antonio Mirto,...

Radial runout sensor from Selcom. (Systems integration).(LMI Selcom)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... A new compact, high-speed, laser industrial gauging sensor designed to measure and calculate radial runout in rubber and tyre industry applications has been introduced by LMI Selcom, a group company of Laser Measurement International (LMI). ...

Pirelli runflats on Mini Cooper S. (Systems integration).(Pirelli 205/45R17 tyres)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Pirelli has won homologation for its Eufori@ style tyre from BMW, for use on the Mini Cooper S. This is the first such homologation on a mass vehicle for Pirelli's MIRS-built tyres, since the MIRS process was introduced nearly two years...

Goodyear commits to runflats: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. believes that runflat tyres will dominate the future of the tyre industry. The company has developed an automated production line and is installing this in Europe and North America in order to manufacture tyres as cost-effectively as possible. In addition, the company is extending its efforts to improve electronic data acquisition in the tyre environment. (Systems integration).
April 1, 2002... Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. says it will have made 1 million runflat tyres by the end of 2002, and expects demand to grow strongly in the coming months and years. The company has introduced an automated manufacturing systems to supply the...

Pax tyres subject to continuous monitoring. (Systems integration).(Michelin)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... PAX sales are starting to take off, but the comprehensive feedback programme still has a few months to go before anyone gets a good picture of the impact it has made on the tyre industry. Currently, Michelin is selling PAX tyres at a rate...

Diary.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Readers are strongly advised to confirm details with organisers before making any travel arrangements. An updated list of industry events is available on the ERJ website at http://www.crain.co.uk/ APRIL * The Tyre Summits. April 3-5:...

When is a tyre not a tyre? (postcript).(motor vehicle tire, braking developments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Answer: When it is part of the braking and suspension system. Ask a car maker what role the tyre makers should adopt with respect to new car development, and every single one of them will tell you that tyre makers have to get more involved in...