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Rubber News

Greater localisation of OEM supply needed

By: Darren Parker 19th February 2021 Despite the pandemic being a strong motivator for original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to localise procurement, rubber products manufacturer Hudson Rubber MD Stoney Steenkamp believes that too many local OEMs still lack the drive to do so. “Although many customers made huge efforts to localise... →

Rubber manufacturer buoyed in tough economy

By: Darren Parker 19th February 2021 Rubber manufacturer Rubber Products and Mouldings (RPM) is “very bullish” about the year ahead, with the company poised for growth despite the difficult economic circumstances because of ongoing lockdowns. “The economy is not strong, so it certainly won’t be easy for any business. However, RPM... →

WAYNE TOZER AND SUE SUPASAR RPM has performed well after the 2019 takeover, following a series of strategic adjustments to operating costs.

New real-time monitoring system enhances safety

4th December 2020 Automotive and truck parts manufacturer Bridgestone in collaboration with technology company Microsoft has developed a unique and innovative monitoring system to detect tyre damage issues in real-time. Bridgestone Europe, Russia, Middle East, India and Africa (EMIA) CEO and president Laurent... →

DAMAGE CONTROL The Tyre Damage Monitoring System uses algorithms to detect and predict failures before they become catastrophic

Manufacturer selected as parts supplier

By: Halima Frost 13th November 2020 Subsequent to being shortlisted as a potential supplier of replacement parts, precision engineering company Vector Engineering has been selected as an official component assembly parts manufacturer for a critical filling line for global brewery Anheuser-Busch InBev SA (Inbev). “The parts were... →

FILLING THE GAP The parts manufactured by Vector Engineering for the filling line were reverse engineered to suit the requirements of the client

Lower human activity limiting tyre sales

By: Tracy Hancock 24th July 2020 Every business is going to face the consequences of lower human activity and, thereby, commercial activity, as South Africans consume less or differently, owing to Covid-19, says automotive tyre manufacturer and supplier Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Sumitomo Dunlop) CEO Riaz Haffejee. Tyre sales... →

REBOUNDING DEMAND Demand for Sumitomo Dunlop’s tyres is increasing since the restrictions of lockdown have eased

Company eyes mining sector growth

By: Mamaili Mamaila 1st May 2020 Hydraulic hoses and fluid components supplier Hydroscand South Africa (SA) is looking to increase its market share in the mining sector through partnering with initiatives in the local communities where the mines which it supplies are located. →

LARGE FOOTPRINT Hydroscand South Africa is the approved supplier to some of the very large global original-equipment manufacturers operating in sub-Saharan Africa

Tyre manufacturer building retail markets to secure growth

By: Schalk Burger 27th March 2020 With export and original equipment demand in the automotive industry in Africa growing year on year, it is critical for companies to expand their reach into high-growth markets in Africa to secure long-term growth, says Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Sumitomo Dunlop) CEO and National Association... →

NEW TYRES The performance standards, wear characteristics and manufacturing requirements of tyres used on electric vehicles are different to those used on internal combustion engine vehicles

Policy certainty to support automotive manufacturing growth

By: Schalk Burger 27th March 2020 The broad support for the Automotive Masterplan 2035 by companies across the value chain and the certainty that it creates supports local vehicle-manufacturing growth and, consequently, for the automotive components industry to increase supply, says Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Sumitomo Dunlop)... →

PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY Sumitomo Dunlop has grown its local tyre production and capacity on the certainty created by original equipment manufacturers’ plans

Flooring company to start green project

By: Halima Frost 28th February 2020 Flooring contractor KBAC Flooring will handle a 1 400 m2 external raised paving installation project in Centurion for M&T Development, set to start in April 2020. The project is believed to be the first of its kind in Africa using a unique locally manufactured product. KBAC Flooring will... →

UPLIFTING Raised flooring allows for increased aesthetic appeal and accesses to hidden building services

Regulator says local tyres are ‘export worthy’

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 South African pneumatic tyres are on par with their global counterparts, says regulatory authority the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS). →

HIGHLY GUARDED Any amendments for compulsory specifications are governed by the development and approval of relevant products

Regulator seeks to improve tyre homologation process

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 Regulatory authority the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) is not “completely satisfied” with the current approval period for pneumatic tyre homologation, says NRCS automotive GM Duncan Mutengwe. →

TWICE THE TROUBLE The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications follows a two-stage approach for importers applying for tyre homologation

Specialist on course despite pressures

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 Despite the local manufacturing sector being under pressure, mouldered product specialist DEMS’ rubber manufacturing division – which operates within a very niche and specialised market – has not been affected negatively, says DEMS MD Mark Baptie. →

ALWAYS ON EDGE DEMS is always investigating and looking for opportunities to remain competitive and continue to have an edge in the market

Rubber remains resilient despite strained sector

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 Engineered rubber remains a requirement for many industries notwithstanding local manufacturing industry woes, says rubber products manufacturer Hudson Rubber MD Stoney Steenkamp. →

RUBBING OFF THE RIGHT WAY The rubber sector will survive the current unfavourable economic climate as the product remains resilient and relevant in the industrial markets

Bleak outlook for rubber SMMEs in 2020

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 With the industrial market aspect of its rubber business having declined in 2019 by 25%, rubber compounding specialist National Rubber Matmin (NRM) MD Mike Stuart says 2020 is “not looking much better”. →

MIKE STUART National Rubber Matmin has had success in supplying products to the Australian mining sector

Eskom considering modifications to failure-prone Medupi conveyor system

By: Darren Parker 31st January 2020 Following three conveyor belt failures at the new Medupi power station, which contributed to load-shedding in December and January, State-owned electricity utility Eskom says several modifications to the conveyor system are being considered in an effort to ensure greater stability in future.... →

MODIFICATION ROLLOUT Modifications to the Medupi conveyor systems will also be applied at Kusile

Company completes purchase of Italian thermoplastic specialist

24th January 2020 Technology services company Continental has successfully completed its purchase of Italian thermoplastic specialist Merlett Group. →

Accessories supplied for diverse industries

24th January 2020 Pumping equipment supplier Werner Pumps is now able to supply an extensive range of accessories for the wastewater treatment, construction and engineering industries as the sole agent for German tool supplier HAAS Abwassertechnik in South Africa. →

QUICK FIX These pipe stoppers are effective tools for quickly and reliably sealing or closing off pipelines during repair and maintenance work

Bridgestone South Africa appoints new CEO

By: Marleny Arnoldi 27th June 2019 Bridgestone South Africa has appointed Jacques Fourie CEO, effective July 1. He succeeds Gavin Young, who stepped down on June 7. →

Bridgestone CEO Jacques Fourie

Continental Tyre to halt underground mining, agricultural tyre production in South Africa

By: Irma Venter 11th June 2019 Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA) will discontinue the production of underground mining and agricultural tyres. This decision affects about 170 employees within CTSA’s manufacturing and sales organisation. →

Inaugural event to highlight local manufacturing capabilities

By: Halima Frost 17th May 2019 The first Local Southern African Manufacturing Expo (LME), which aims to highlight the capabilities of local manufacturers and, subsequently the ability to export, will be held from May 21 to 23, 2019 at the Expo Centre Nasrec, in Johannesburg. The expo will be hosted by the South African Capital... →

CENTRE OF ATTENTION The inaugural Local Southern African Manufacturing Expo is set to feature more than 130 exhibitors

Rubber company to focus on automotive sector

By: Cameron Mackay 15th February 2019 Premium rubber products manufacturer Hudson Rubber plans to focus on the localisation of rubber products for the automotive sector this year. Following its merger with rubber retail and wholesale specialists Pro-Auto Rubber’s manufacturing operation in November 2016, the most significant... →

Photo by Bloomberg
VITAL INDUSTRY The rubber industry is linked to the state of the economy, as it services various sectors of the economy

Continental optimises tyre test with driverless test vehicle

15th February 2019 Automotive tyre manufacturing company Continental commissioned the first driverless tyre test vehicle for an assortment of road surface types at its test site in Uvalde, Texas, in the US. The aim of the endeavour was to make test results for the company’s passenger and light trucks more... →

DRIVERLESS NAVIGATION The driverless vehicle pilots the testing route with a GPS-supported satellite navigation system

Advocacy organisation urges better enforcement of second-hand tyre regulations

By: Marleny Arnoldi 29th October 2018 Newly launched advocacy organisation Part Worn Africa is calling on governments and regulatory bodies across the African continent to develop and enforce stronger regulations governing the sale of part-worn and second-hand tyres. Part Worn Africa advocates that part-worn and second-hand tyres... →

African market opening helps spur R970m Ladysmith tyre investment

By: Schalk Burger 26th October 2018 The state-of-the-art R970-million truck and bus radial (TBR) factory in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, will produce 24 sizes for the Dunlop, Sumitomo and Falken tyre brands, says Japanese diversified industrial group Sumitomo. The investment to manufacture truck and bus tyres locally are part of the... →

SUMITOMO LADYSMITH The factory will eventually manufacture enough tyres to meet demand for Dunlop- and Sumitomo-branded tyres across the whole of Africa

BMG supplies range of hydraulic and pneumatic seals

19th October 2018 Technical solutions provider BMG – the only official distributor for hydraulic and pneumatic seals manufacturer and sealing solutions provider Hallite Seals in Central and Southern Africa – supplies an extensive range of hydraulic and pneumatic seals and sealing solutions for demanding... →

HALLITE TYPE 506 These bearing strips are used extensively on hydraulic cylinder rod and piston applications and can withstand extreme side loads, preventing metal to metal contact

Bridgestone South Africa’s manufacturing plant showcases rubber innovation

By: Marleny Arnoldi 19th July 2018 Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone South Africa on Wednesday hosted a media tour of its 186 027 m2 manufacturing facility in Brits, North West, to showcase how its technology has evolved from the 1950s to date. Bridgestone manufactures passenger radial, light truck radial, truck and bus radial, and... →

Bridgestone manufacturing plant, in Brits

Initiative changing development narrative in townships, rural economies

16th February 2018 A three-year partnership between tyre manufacturing company Sumitomo Rubber South Africa’s (SA’s) iconic tyre brand, Dunlop, and development finance agency Ithala Development Finance Corporation’s Small Business Growth Enterprise division will see a minimum of 25 containerised tyre fitment... →

Photo by Bloomberg
DRIVING CHANGE A partnership initiative between Dunlop and Ithala will counter the growing number of illegal, dangerous second-hand tyres being sold to consumers

Radial tyre portfolio available on the market

16th February 2018 Technology company Continental is introducing two additional EM-Master E4/L4 radial tyre sizes to the market, the company indicated in an announcement last month. “This now completes our range of radial tyres for use on wheel loaders and dump trucks in particular for construction work and... →

MASTERCLASS The EM-Master tyre is ideally suited for articulated dump trucks, loaders and dozers

Company expands fluid technology services

10th November 2017 Industrial product supplier Bearing Man Group’s (BMG’s) strategy to enhance its fluid technology services to meet growing market demand, encompasses the introduction of new products, with the latest developments in design technologies, materials and coatings. The company’s extensive range of... →

VERSATILE PRODUCTS FPV diaphragm and pinch valves are available in many different materials, with various pressure ratings, for diverse sectors

Tyres manufactured with taxi industry in mind

17th February 2017 Last month, rubber manufacturers Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA) announced the launch of its new range of tyre brand Dunlop tyres – the Vantrek V1 White Wall tyre for the South African taxi industry. →

Pockets of resilience, but SA’s manufacturing outlook remains fragile

By: David Oliveira 17th February 2017 South Africa’s manufacturing sector is expected to grow by 0.5% this year and by 1.2% in 2018, according to data from economic analysis and forecast provider FocusEconomics. Financial institution Barclays’ latest purchasing managers’ index (PMI) released earlier this month indicates that the... →

Investments integral to effective safety

9th September 2016 The South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) notes that deeper conversations pertaining to legislation, education and safety processes are necessary to ensure that the industry advances the safety of motorists. This is the motivation behind the SATMC’s collaboration with other... →

Tyrexpo Africa introduces new knowledge exchange platforms

By: Mia Breytenbach 6th May 2016 To tap into opportunities of the South African automotive industry transforming itself into a global engine for the manufacturing and export of vehicles and components, the tyres, automotive repairs and maintenance and accessories exhibition Tyrexpo Africa introduced three new business segments... →

Vacuum pumps effective in manufacturing process

18th March 2016 In order to exclude air bubbles and vapour generated by high temperature and pressure from blood collection tube stoppers, Italy-based rubber components manufacturer Datwyler Pharma Packaging (DPP) makes use of vacuum pumps manufacturer Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems’ Cobra dry screw vacuum pumps... →

BLOOD STOPPING Rubber tube stoppers are molded under a vacuum

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