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Sailun taps Cambodia

Passenger and light truck tire production is underway at Sailun Group’s new factory in Cambodia. Tires there are being made to support the North American market, as well as select regions in Europe.

Yokohama will use AI

Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has developed a proprietary system that uses artificial intelligence to “predict the values of key tire characteristics,” according to company officials. Yokohama began using the system in December 2021. It will help the company accelerate new tire development and reduce tire design costs.

Continental takes tire to CES

Continental AG showcased its sustainable concept tire, the Conti GreenConcept, at the recent CES 2022 show in Las Vegas, Nev. The tire “consists of a particularly high percentage of traceable, renewable and recycled materials” and has a lightweight design, according to Continental officials.

GRI takes home award

Global Rubber Industries Pvt. Ltd. (GRI) has received “Best Exporter of Rubber Products” honors as part of the Sri Lanka Presidential Export Awards program. GRI’s growth “has brought tangible results to Sri Lanka from many dimensions,” says GRI CEO Dr. Mahesha Ranasoma. The specialty tire manufacturer is based in Sri Lanka.

KYB updates tech program

KYB Americas Corp. is updating its ExcelGold Rewards Program to allow technicians to earn rewards for purchasing and installing the company’s shocks and struts. Each user will receive a KYB Excel-Gold prepaid Mastercard and have access to a dashboard that will show real-time updates on pay-out dates and amounts.

Tyrexpo Asia sets dates

The next edition of Tyrexpo Asia, Tyrexpo Asia Bangkok, will take place in Thailand Oct. 2628, 2022. The international event will feature up to 120 exhibitors and is expected to draw some 3,000 attendees.

Myers, Federated join forces

Myers Tire Supply has joined Federated Auto Parts. In a joint statement, the companies said each will benefit from the partnership.

Brison takes lead role at Hankook Tire North America

Sentury, CMA/Double Coin unveil dealer portals

Hankook Tire North America, most recently known as Hankook Tire America, has named Curtis Brison its new president. He succeeds Sooil Lee, who remains CEO of Hankook Tire & Technology. In his new role, Brison will oversee Hankook’s U.S. and Canada operations — including the company’s consumer tire manufacturing plant in Tennessee — and will lead four departments. He also will continue to oversee Hankook Tire North America’s U.S. passenger and light truck tire operation, where he has served as vice president since joining the company in 2020. Rob Williams, who oversees all replacement and original equipment truck and bus tire sales at Hankook, has been promoted to senior vice president of truck, bus and radial sales. He will continue to lead Hankook’s truck and bus tire sales team and regional offices in the capacity of senior vice “I am honored to work with our teams president. He joined the firm in 2019. across North America,” says Curtis In a related move, Jong Jin (JJ) Park Brison, Hankook Tire North America’s new president. has been promoted to vice president of marketing. He will oversee Hankook’s marketing strategy, truck and bus tire marketing, technical service and America Regional Distribution Centers teams.

He also will continue in his role of marketing director and U.S. sales innovation director. Park joined Hankook in 2005.

“The North American market is critical to our global business strategy and Curtis, JJ and Rob have been instrumental to accelerating our growth,” says Lee.

Both Sentury Tire USA and China Manufacturers Alliance LLC (CMA)/ Double Coin have unveiled online portals that will help tire dealers with various functions.

Sentury Tire USA’s portal, Access 360, “allows distributors to have full control over the ordering process, giving them the ability to see the available inventory in United States-based warehouses immediately,” says Maxwell Wee, executive vice president of Sentury Tire USA. Dealers also can retrieve packing lists, download account statements, process returns and submit claims and adjustments on-demand, while performing other functions.

CMA/Double Coin’s new portal houses customizable promotional resources for dealers, allowing them to create digital advertisements and pricing quotes for customers. Dealers also can integrate videos into their social media channels. ■