Quality capability – outstanding results

During the past months HF ran through a VDA system-audit which was required by our valued customers who belong to the top ranked tyre manufacturers worldwide. HF achieved more than 95% which is considered an excellent achievement. HF was evaluated in the fields of risk management during the production process, traceability, maintenance, trainings, project change management, standardisation, production management, cutting edge technology, technical know-how and the professionality of staff.

Additionally, we renewed our ISO 9001:2015 certificate. ISO 9001 is not just a standard that consists of numerous requirements. Behind ISO 9001 is the philosophy of an (almost) automatically functioning company. A company that develops unique competitive advantages through clear business processes and responsibilities, a high level of customer orientation and continuous improvement. ISO 9001:2015 is a management system that enables companies to align their products and services to customer needs and, by defining clear business processes, to offer their customers consistently reliable services. The standard aims to bring lasting and sustainable success to companies.

We are confident that theses audits confirm our customers trust in our services.

Tyre building machines – Service support & technical upgrades

HF TBM Service department is ready and available to provide various service options for your machines. Our personnel are available to visit sites, inspect machines and provide detailed reports of the inspection. Reports will include technical improvement kit proposal, replacement parts, maintenance recommendations. HF can also offer a quotation for the maintenance/repairs to be completed on the machine.

HF has spare parts available for all machine types. For frequently ordered parts HF can provide standard price lists and yearly contracts for fixed pricing. HF also offers customised machine upgrades, technical improvement kits (new and replacement modules) for improvements in Quality, Reliability, Output, Capability. HF Technical Improvement Kits can be offered for all machine types

HF TBM Service Department provides turn-key services with our highly qualified personnel in the mechanical, electrical, technology and software disciplines.

HF TBM Service Department provides you with remote support using a connection terminal box that can be installed easily by the customer. Remote connection to PLC/Machine is safe and secure using a VPN connection. Online video and chat communications are available through TEAMS.

Tyre building machines – Common design approach for all tyre designs

The fundamental basis for our TBM design, no matter which type you are looking for, is the same. All tyre building machines consist of our long proven modular components and are sized to your specifications.

Depending on your requirements, we offer two carcass drum types, which are capable to adapt different tyre constructions: Inflated turn up with bladder or mechanical turn up drums or flat turn up with Ply up/down constructions with our patented FAPBS drum. This allows you to increase your flexibility and to react to current market changes due to the E-mobility such as high load index, lower rolling resistance and lower noise emissions.

The HF ONE is the solution for the current and future demands.

In addition, all TBMs are built up on a modular base to have the capability for integration of an automatic robot system for loading the beads & unloading the tire. The machine layout is prepared to allow a for simple future upgrade of these features as well as additional reinforcement strips which are applied on Body Ply or Innerliner.

Features & benefits:

- Multiple drums support with quick change from drum to drum

- Patented FAPBS drum for high Ply turn up, thick sidewalls and Ply up/down constructions 

- Modular machine design for upgrade possibilities

- Hands off operation with robot system for bead loading

- High OE quality standard by excellent accuracy of material positioning splicing

- Maintenance friendly

- Excellent machine availability by robust design and high repeatability (TT)

Contact: HF Tire Building Machines: tbm-service@hf-group.com; www.hf-tiretechgroup.com

As part of a strategic effort to increase its presence in the region's premium original equipment (OE) market, Kumho Tire has confirmed its plans to establish its first tyre production facility in Europe by 2027.

The company has shortlisted Poland, Serbia and Portugal as possible locations for the plant, which is projected to need an investment of more than KRW1 trillion (USD 705 million). The decision is closely linked to Kumho’s ambition to strengthen its partnerships with European automakers and was revealed by Kumho Tire CEO during the South Korean premiere of Kumho's new Ecsta Sport tyre line.

Kumho has recently secured OE supply contracts with major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen Group. At the moment, Kumho runs eight tyre production plants in China, Vietnam, South Korea and the US. Its capacity to compete in the premium OE market, however, has come to be perceived as being constrained by the absence of a European production base. Through the benefits of local production, the new facility will improve response to European client requests, save freight costs and shorten delivery times, all of which will strengthen the company's partnerships.

Sentury Tire USA has opened pre-enrolment for its two associate dealer programmes (ADPs), the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program and the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding dedication and partnership to the Landsail and Delinte brands.

The ADPs, which are customised for each brand and intended to encourage dealers, will formally start on 1 June 2025. Both programmes give dealers access to special benefits, incentives and strong tools to help them expand their businesses. This involves dependable customer service, effective marketing and worthwhile financial incentives to promote dealers' success at every stage.

Beginning in Q3, dealers may earn up to USD three per tyre through the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program. Dealers can receive retroactive benefits for purchases completed in Q2 if they register before 1 June. The awards are available for all Delinte PTR, LTR and the new DV3 LMD AS last-mile delivery tyres. For all Landsail PTR and LTR tyres, independent dealers that sign up for the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program can also earn up to USD three per tyre. For customers who sign up by June 1, the new LMD 100 AS last-mile delivery is also eligible for the benefits and will get the same early bird incentive for Q2 2025.

No initial order is necessary. Dealers only need to register to begin making money. According to the monthly programme rewards structure, 48 tyre purchases each month are eligible for a reward of USD one per tyre, 120 tyres are eligible for a reward of USD two per tyre and 240 or more tyres are eligible for a reward of USD three per tyre.

ENSO, a London-based tyre manufacturer engaged in the production of sustainable tyres specially designed for electric vehicles (EVs), has launched its new ENSO Premium range of EV-specific ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres aimed at drivers of high-performance EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Specifically designed for electric passenger vehicles, the ENSO Premium range comes with A/A EU-label ratings for both energy efficiency and wet grip. The tyres are designed to provide safety, increased range and a reduced total cost of ownership. Conventional tyre designs frequently fall short of the special performance needs of electric vehicles, which include greater vehicle weight, regenerative braking and higher torque loads. By lowering tyre wear and rolling resistance, ENSO Premium takes care of these issues.

The company is an authorised provider of replacement tyres for LEVC's electric taxis and has partnered with Uber to install its tyres in high-mileage metropolitan areas. The company now plans to grow throughout Europe and North America, and with ENSO Premium, it is now offering its services to individual EV owners throughout the United Kingdom. According to ENSO, the range offers advantages including longer tyre life and fewer replacements, lower energy usage, fewer charging stops and lower CO₂ emissions and tyre particle pollution.

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO and Co-Founder, ENSO, said, “We’re plugging a long-standing gap in the tyre market by offering EV drivers a purpose-built, affordable, premium EV tyre alternative that matches the innovation of their EV.”

Kraton Corporation, a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has announced a general price hike in North America for its SBS, SIS and HSBC product lines with effect from 1 May 2025.

Following a careful analysis of the effects of recently implemented tariffs, related cost increases and a conclusion that the company cannot independently absorb these repercussions, Kraton is adopting these pricing hikes, according to a company statement. The company further said that it will keep an eye on the scene and reassess these measures promptly in the event that conditions and US import tariffs alter.