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GERMANY
Ihle deal close to end game
Camagüey Retreader Saves Cuba Foreign Currency
Financial returns from a regional retreader in Camagüey, Cuba show that it has saved the Cuban economy over a million and a half dollars in the first half of the year. The plant has retreaded nearly 11,800 motorcycle, light truck, heavy equipment and tractor tyres. That record, which reduces
imports, exceeded what was planned by 15 per cent, according to Calzadilla Idalia Ramirez, director of the plant. The performance of the equipment, staff and support industries for the plant have come together to make this success possible.
Optimism About Reifen Ihle
Tyre Labelling
May Jeopardise Passenger Retreading
In June 2014 Reifen Ihle collapsed and administrators were called in. The causes were many, and the final straw may well have been the opening of Continental’s
likely through the summer. However, Reus said that, "It may take until August, until a final decision is made."
Now, we are in late October, and
A report in a local newspaper in Herne, Germany, suggests that EU labelling rules for retreaded tyres may jeopardise a whole industry. The labelling already in place for new truck and car tyres for the past two years may be introduced not only for truck tyre retreads but also car tyre retreads, according to Christian Stiebling of Stiebling Reifen.
Whilst EU consumers may be happy with labelling and controls on some products, the move to label retread car tyres could have serious implications, says Stiebling.
The EU introduced its own label for tyres on 1 November 2012. It provides information about the
include retreaded car tyres, he believes that it will bring to a final end the retreading of car tyres, not just in Germany but throughout Europe.
The argument is that every single tyre size and pattern must be tested and certified. It is simply not a viable proposition as there are over 10,000 different combinations to be considered. There is no argument that there should not be a standard for production. There are good and bad in the retread industry and standards can only benefit the industry as a whole, but they must be attainable and affordable. It is also better if they are realistic.
retread plant in Hanover-Stöcken and the loss of that element of business from Ihle. However, the company was in troubled times regardless.
In late June investors had been making enquiries about the company and the liquidators Alexander Reus and Professor Dr. Martin Hörmann were confident that suitable candidates were in the frame. However, they added that a quick decision was not
the future of Reifen Ihle is not yet finally resolved. Approximately 230 employees fear for their jobs. 18 employees in the vulcanising plant at Donauried were laid off in May.
The sales process is now nearing completion, said Professor Hörmann. “The negotiations are in a ‘very hot’ phase”, he said: "A decision is expected by the end of October.
rolling resistance, wet grip and noise. For Christian Stiebling, this label "makes little sense, because it says nothing real". Another major weakness, he says, lies in the fact that the tyre manufacturers are likely to assess themselves (The inference being that they will overestimate their products). There is currently no inspection process in place to attest these claims made on tyre labels.
When this is applied to new tyres it is, according to Stiebling, simply absurd, but as he looks forward to 2018 and the threat of this labelling being amended to
Stiebling also manufactures retreaded truck and bus tyres and is partnered with BIPAVER, which has co-funding to investigate the potential for truck and bus tyre retreading labelling. To date some 1,000 tyres have been tested and the industry awaits the outcome. Many in the industry are highly charged with this issue, some fear for the future. Others, like Stiebling would like to invest in the future of the industry with new equipment and new facilities, but they dare not move. Without legal certainty he cannot justify investing over 1 million Euro.