manufacturing
Mexico’s trucking industry a world apart
BANFF, AB - Mexico has clearly realized the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The southernmost member of the trading block is now Canada's third-largest trading partner, behind only the U.S. and China. "It has been good to us. It has been good to our economy," says Rogelio F. Montemayor Morineau, president of the 5,000-member Canacar - Mexico's national trucking association, referring to the trade deal. It has clearly played a role in the Canadian economy, too.
Recommended tire repair, retread practices online
FALLS CHURCH, VA - The Tread Rubber and Tire Repair Materials Manufacturer's Group has published new Recommended Practices for retreading and repairing tires, with details now published on the Tire Retread and Repair Information Bureau's (TRIB's) website.
Manac takes share of ABS Remorques
ASBESTOS, QC - Manac has taken a minority stake in ABS Remorques, a Canadian manufacturer of conveyor semi-trailers, the companies have announced. ABS designs and manufactures specialized live-bottom semi-trailers for aggregate haulers, and has a production facility located in Asbestos, Quebec. Manac produces vans, flatbeds, and specialty trailers such as dumps, low beds, grain hoppers, chassis, chip and logging trailers.
Pirelli announces plans for commercial tires
LOUISVILLE, KY -- Pirelli, a tire maker that many North Americans equate with Formula 1 or Superbike racing circuits, has announced plans to launch commercial tires in North America. "We're coming. We're testing," says Clif Armstrong, who has been named president of the company's newly formed TP Commercial Solutions. The products are to be manufactured in Brazil and available for Class 6-8 applications, with selected sizes available for Class 5 vehicles. One thing that sets this announcement apart from traditional rollouts, however, is the lack of tires. They are not yet available through a tire dealer near you. But 40 North American fleets are involved in testing 1,800 tires in on/off-road and linehaul applications. Armstrong himself spent time in Montreal working on some of the tests. The final results for steer and drive tires in the on/off-road segment are expected in 60 days, meaning production could begin by September. Tests of the 225 linehaul tires will take eight to 12 months. And Armstrong says there is no rush: "We're going to do this the right tire at the right time." The announcement still deserves to be taken seriously. Pirelli makes 5 million commercial tires per year for markets including Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, using production facilities established in Brazil, China, Egypt and Turkey. Armstrong is familiar with the North American market, having held senior roles with Continental Tire.
