GOVERNMENT/LEGAL

Seeds for EPA carbon black probe date back to 1996

WASHINGTON—In September of 1996, the Environmental Protection Agency listed carbon black manufacturing as "a major source of hazardous air pollutants." That decision has helped to shape the industry since.

AUTOMOTIVE

Surge in business is a boon for commercial vehicle industry

The commercial vehicle industry is enjoying a surge in business as the U.S. economy grows, construction projects increase and consumers buy more merchandise.

MANUFACTURING

Parker Hannifin to close Ohio factory

CLEVELAND—Parker Hannifin plans to close a 28,000-sq.-ft. plant in Kent, Ohio, that is part of its Fluid System Connectors Division, a move that will impact 52 workers.

AUTOMOTIVE

Precision Associates names new president

MINNEAPOLIS—Bradley Arnold Kaude has been named president of Precision Associates.

EXPANSIONS

Sumitomo company receives funding for Slovenia medical plant

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia—Lonstroff, part of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, has received about $5.9 million in funding from the Slovenian government to progress its medical parts production plant in the country.

GOVERNMENT/LEGAL

Marangoni to explore using graphene to improve tread rubber technology

ROVERTO, Italy—Retread industry supplier Marangoni has agreed to collaborate with fellow Italian firm Directa Plus on developing a range of graphene-based tread rubber compounds for truck and bus tread rubber.

FINANCIALS

Analytics firm said LT tires led sluggish 2017 U.S. replacement market

NEW YORK—Despite a unit sales decline last year, light truck tires led a sluggish U.S. consumer tire market in 2017 vs. 2016, according to the latest data issued by analytics firm GfK Group.

MANUFACTURING

Hoosier Racing Tire venturing into motocross tires

LAKEVILLE, Ind.—Hoosier Racing Tire is adding a line of motocross tires to its product portfolio.

AUTOMOTIVE

Tooling strong, but payment times slow down

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.—Automotive tooling demand looked strong through the first quarter of 2018, although payment times are getting longer, according to the Q1 Tooling Barometer, published by Harbour Results and the Original Equipment Suppliers ...

INTERNATIONAL

Bridgestone debuts updated tires for performance vehicles, SUVs

DALLAS—Bridgestone Americas has unveiled three next-generation tires, each targeting a different audience: high performance vehicle enthusiasts, occasional off-roading enthusiasts and practical-minded CUV/SUV owners.

CUSTOM MIXING

Chinese compounder invests $15 million in U.S. site

LIYANG, China—Chinese thermoplastic elastomer maker Top Polymer is investing $15 million in a factory near Atlanta, its first outside China, as it makes a bigger push into the U.S. market.