Goodyear drops Kelly in Europe
AKRON-A Goodyear spokesman has confirmed that Kelly is among several brands the company no longer will be offering in the European marketplace.
Others, including brands previously sold primarily in Eastern Europe, also will be dropped, according to the German magazine, Wirtschafts-Woche. No timetable for the move has been announced.
Kumho opens Atlanta warehouse
FONTANA, Calif.-Kumho Tire USA has opened a 120,000-sq.-ft. tire distribution center in Ellenwood, Ga., an Atlanta suburb, serving the Southeastern U.S.
David Hudrlik, vice president and director of sales for the Fontana-based tire maker, said customers in the southeast previously were serviced out of Kumho's Memphis, Tenn., warehouse.
``The Atlanta center will enable us to get tires to all of our southeastern dealers-even those in southern Florida-within 24 hours after they place their orders,'' he said. In addition to the warehouses in Atlanta and Memphis, Kumho also has distribution facilities in Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; and Fontana.
Chrysler vehicles to have monitors
PLYMOUTH, Mich.-Automotive interior supplier Johnson Controls Inc. said its PSI (Pressure Sensing Information) tire monitoring system will become available on 2002 models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans, and the Chrysler 300M.
The firm said it marks the industry's first tire pressure monitoring system to be offered in a sport-utility vehicle, and the first direct pressure system on a minivan.
The PSI monitoring system uses radio frequency technology to deliver pressure information to a central receiver located in the vehicle's overhead console, through sensors mounted in each tire.
Bandag to end plant's output
MUSCATINE, Iowa-Bandag, Inc. said it plans to phase out production at its Chino, Calif., tread manufacturing plant over the next three to four months but will continue operating a distribution center there. Approximately 49 employees will be affected by the move.
Bandag said it is working to minimize the impact on employees through early retirement programs, transfers to other Bandag facilities and the addition of up to 10 jobs at the Chino distribution center.
Bandag Vice President of Manufacturing Nate Derby said closing the plant was difficult because the employees there have had a strong tradition of excellence.
Serumgard leaves the RMA, STMC
WASHINGTON-John Serumgard, executive vice president of the Rubber Manufacturers Association and its subsidiary, the Scrap Tire Management Council, has left both organizations.
Mr. Serumgard declined comment on the matter from his home in Great Falls, Va., and RMA President Donald B. Shea also said he was ``not at liberty'' to discuss Mr. Serumgard's exit. Both men said that negotiations were ongoing.
Mr. Serumgard, an RMA employee since the 1970s, has served the organization in many capacities, including Tire Division president and vice president of labor relations. He was named STMC chairman when the council was formed in 1990.
Cooper recalls 14,993 tires
WASHINGTON-Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is recalling 14,993 tires, all size P205/75R14, manufactured in February and March 2000.
The company said the tires can suffer excessive sidewall flexing, causing cracks to extend to the body ply cords and possibly allowing loss of air pressure. The tires were sold under the Cooper, Dean, Trailcat, Falls, Starfire, Laramie, Sentry, Premier II, Cordovan and Merit brand names.
Kumho plans for China tech center
PUSAN, South Korea-Kumho Industrial Co. Inc. is planning a technical center in China and is seeking technical assistance to help develop intelligent tires, Kumho President Hyung-In Shin told delegates to the recent International Tire Exhibition and Conference/Asia in Pusan.
``Our plan is to change our image as a global enterprise through aggressive technology development by founding another technical center in China in near future,'' he said. Kumho did not give details.
Regarding intelligent tires, Mr. Shin said Kumho is open to working with any of the major tire makers on this type of technology.