Associations
Sailun Hosts ITMA at Euro HQ
Having recently joined the Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association, Sailun Tyres was pleased to host the latest meeting at their European Headquarters in Birmingham. Welcoming ITMA president David Seward (managing director, Yokohama) and fellow Association members, Martin West (European managing director of Sailun Tyres) commented: “ITMA is recognised as one of the leading body of International tyre manufacturers and plays a pivotal role in...
NTDA Chairman: Labelling, Legislation and Technology are ‘Challenges to Conquer’
Shortly before the surreal comic quips of this year’s after dinner speaker (popular TV and Radio comedian Milton Jones), the hundreds of industry opinion makers gathered for the 2010 TAFF Awards and NTDA annual dinner heard the customary speech from association chairman David White. In it he succinctly observed recent changes in market condition and suggested that if the business is ready to embrace change with necessary attitude and enthusiasm...
No General Meeting for TRIB at SEMA Show
The Tire Retread & Repair Bureau of Information will not hold a special membership meeting during the upcoming Global Tire Expo powered by TIA in Las Vegas, reports Tire Review. Former TRIB managing director Harvey Brodsky had announced the meeting on 3 October.
RMA Representing Tyre Manufacturers Only
The RMA said it has “successfully completed” its reorganization and is now a tyres-only trade group, reports Tire Review. Earlier this year, RMA’s board of directors approved a plan to restructure the organization to better serve the interests of its membership. The restructuring resulted in two separate organizations – one that represents tyre manufacturers and one to serve the needs of elastomer products manufacturers. Each organization...
iATN's 'Knowledge Base' Exceeds Three Million Records
The International Automotive Technicians’ Network (iATN), has announced that it has recently surpassed three million records in its ‘Knowledge Base’, an online collection of automotive repair databases that contains technical information generated by iATN’s 72,000 active members in 154 countries. “The content in the Knowledge Base spans approximately 15 years and is based on the actual repair experiences and discussions of iATN members...
ITMA Reborn; Brussels-based Technical Consultant Appointed
Following his election as president of the Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association (ITMA) earlier this year, Yokohama HPT managing director David Seward has cast his vision for the future of ITMA. Entitled “The Rebirth of ITMA”, Seward shared this with Tyres & Accessories and we have published it in its entirety both online at tyrepress.com and in the print magazine. One of the key developments will see the association address forthcoming...
BTMA Elects Conti Boss New Chairman
The British Tyre Manufacturers Association (BTMA) has elected David Smith as its new chairman with immediate effect. Smith has been the managing director of Continental Tyres since 2007, and as such has a wealth of tyre industry experience. “I am honoured to have been elected to this key role within the tyre industry,” he comments.
Hercules International Joins ITMA
Ontario Canada-based tyre marketer and distributor Hercules Tire International has joined the Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA). Hercules, which has worldwide sales in excess of US$500,000,000.00, will be represented within the association by its European Sales and Purchasing manager, Paul Sleath.
The NTDA Embraces Changes
When Peter Gaster took on the Chairmanship of the NTDA for the second time three years ago (the first time was in '93), it was with the express intention of conducting a root and branch review of the workings of the association with a view to modernisation. At the association's recent AGM, the recommendations arising from this review were accepted and Gaster stepped down to allow David White to take the Chairman's post.
RMI Joins European MOT Group
Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) has European MOT group, CITA. “MOTs are a high priority for independent garages, therefore it is vital that the RMI plays a full and active role in CITA, The leading European body for vehicle inspection,” said Steve Coles, the RMI’s Head of MOT Technical Operations.
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DfT to investigate hubs following MWS research
Following research by Motor Wheel Service last month that showed commercial wheels sustaining undetected damage when fitted to non-standard hubs, the Department for Transport has stated that it will undertake independent testing to verify the... -
Trelleborg extends TM100 range
Trelleborg Wheel Systems has added two new sizes to its TM100 tyre range designed for row-crop applications - the 380/90R50 151A8 (151B) and 380/90R54 158A8 (158B). As a result the Trelleborg TM100 range is now available in 11 sizes from 32 to 54... -
Commuter bikes offer only good news as two-wheel registrations dip 3.5%
The latest motorcycle and scooter registration figures show sales overall were down 3.5 per cent last month compared with April 2011. Under 50cc scooter sales were down the most (9.6%) in April, while over 50cc motorcycle decreased by 2.5 per cent.... -
High performance tyres, high performance service
High performance cars require high performance tyres - obviously. What’s not quite as obvious is that today’s tough market conditions are sharpening the motorist’s eye for real value and service - especially in the more discerning and therefore... -
DAF selects Goodyear low rolling resistance tyres
DAF has selected Goodyear Marathon + low rolling resistance tyres for standard equipment on its latest Advanced Transport Efficiency (ATe) trucks. According to the tyre manufacturer, the news comes as a result of the partnership between the two... -
High speed comfort from Firenza
The Firenza high performance brand has steadily grown within this competitive sector and is now a popular choice with discerning drivers who insist on a combination of speed, comfort and safety at a realistic price level. The company reports that its... -
Michelin expands CerexBib line-up
Two new sizes have joined Michelin’s CerexBib agricultural tyre range, and the French manufacturer says these additions will address the “emerging needs of entrepreneurs, farmers and grain producers.” The latest CerexBib fitments are IF 800/70 R... -
First overseas Pro-Align award winner announced
Fastlane Ltd in Malta has been awarded Pro-Align’s Alignment Centre of the Month for April – the first time the accolade has been awarded outside of the UK. Paul Beaurain, managing director, Pro-Align, said: “Fastlane is resolute about being the... -
GT Radial launches truck retread at “successful” CV Show
GT Radial launched its new truck products the GSR220 steer tyre and the GDL617 drive tyre from its stand at the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show at the Birmingham NEC, but it was the company’s Ree Tread tyre – its first commercial retread tyre –... -
New Ecsta Le Sport – designed for top European marques
Kumho’s new Ecsta LE Sport KU39 is an asymmetric ultra high performance tyre designed for Europe’s top car marques; the manufacturer reports the tyre was developed using the latest KADAS prediction tools and on Europe’s most demanding test...
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Institution of Mechanical Engineers welcomes Vauxhall decision
Philippa Oldham, head of transport and manufacturing at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, welcomed Vauxhall’s decision on the new Astra production. “This is welcome news for Merseyside, and for UK manufacturing as a whole. The UK car... -
Kwik Fit doubles apprentice intake to 320 in 2012
Kwik Fit has announced that it will take on 320 apprentices in 2012, more than double the company’s intake of 120 in 2011. The firm will offer the two year schemes to 16-18 year olds in locations throughout the UK. The announcement coincided with... -
New Vauxhall Astra to be produced in UK; £125m invested
Vauxhall has confirmed that production of its new Astra model will take place at its Ellesmere Port, Cheshire manufacturing plant – the lead plant of two in Europe building the model. The decision was made after Vauxhall’s workforce signed a new... -
Toyo tyres OE on new Mazda CX-5
Toyo Proxes R36 tyres have been chosen as original equipment for the new Mazda CX-5 compact SUV. The 225/55 R19 99V Proxes R36 are said to complement the Skyactiv technology introduced on the Mazda CX-5. Skyactiv technology, which is described as a... -
Bridgestone says Russian Dandelions may be sustainable source of Natural Rubber
Bridgestone Corporation reports that recent research conducted by its Bridgestone Americas operations may indicate that the Russian Dandelion can become a commercially viable, renewable source of high-quality, tyre-grade rubber. -
Thornleigh fleet gets a Hankook makeover
Thornleigh Freight has announced it is overhauling the look of some of its vehicles, turning them into a striking Hankook branded fleet. Thornleigh Freight has worked with Hankook for over 10 years and has recently signed a new contract to store and... -
ATS Euromaster rewarded for van fleet service development
Birmingham-based ATS Euromaster has been presented with the Innovation Award for the second year in succession at the Van Fleet World Honours 2012. The company was commended by the publication for its “highly progressive approach” to van fleet... -
NDI appoints TRS Tyre and Wheel Ltd as New Zealand distributor
Nordisk Dæk Import A/S (NDI) has appointed New Zealand’s TRS Tyre and Wheel Ltd as its AP+ Dual Wheels distributor in the region. The decision took effect in May 2012. According to NDI, the company’s AP+ Dual Wheels are a “resounding success”... -
Point S UK reflects on successful 2011, seeks new members
Over 70 Point S UK members, staff and suppliers gathered in Solihull yesterday to reflect on the independent retail network’s development in 2011 and plans for 2012. At the end of 2011 Point S UK had 45 members and 125 points of sale. And although... -
Lanxess confirms FY forecast; EU label expected to stimulate business
At the company’s Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on 15 May, Lanxess CEO Axel C. Heitmann stated that the specialty chemicals firm remains on course for growth in 2012. “We will continue to pursue our successful strategy of focusing on dynamic...
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Infinity at CV Show with UK distributor RH Claydon
Infinity Tyres’ truck products were recently displayed at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC, Birmingham. The manufacturer said that the brand’s presence on the stand was a measure of its support of the UK market and its authorised UK and... -
Tyres & Accessories April 2012
All the news, features and reviews you expect from Tyres & Accessories are available for subscribers to view in e-magazine format. Simply click more to read the April edition, which includes features on the forthcoming Reifen Messe Essen, TPMS and... -
Michelin publishes online truck tyre labelling guide
Michelin has launched a dedicated truck tyre labelling information module on its website. The site aims to present all the information fleet operators need to know about the legislation, including why it is being introduced, what tyres it covers, an... -
Institution of Mechanical Engineers welcomes Vauxhall decision
Philippa Oldham, head of transport and manufacturing at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, welcomed Vauxhall’s decision on the new Astra production. “This is welcome news for Merseyside, and for UK manufacturing as a whole. The UK car... -
New models drive new car sales in Europe - JATO
Following the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association report on passenger car registrations, market research company JATO Dynamic has added its new car sales analysis for the region. The headline figures are declines of 6.1 per cent in... -
Kwik Fit doubles apprentice intake to 320 in 2012
Kwik Fit has announced that it will take on 320 apprentices in 2012, more than double the company’s intake of 120 in 2011. The firm will offer the two year schemes to 16-18 year olds in locations throughout the UK. The announcement coincided with... -
New Vauxhall Astra to be produced in UK; £125m invested
Vauxhall has confirmed that production of its new Astra model will take place at its Ellesmere Port, Cheshire manufacturing plant – the lead plant of two in Europe building the model. The decision was made after Vauxhall’s workforce signed a new... -
DfT to investigate hubs following MWS research
Following research by Motor Wheel Service last month that showed commercial wheels sustaining undetected damage when fitted to non-standard hubs, the Department for Transport has stated that it will undertake independent testing to verify the... -
Barry Hill celebrates 40 years at Kings Road Tyres
Kings Road Tyres’ group credit control manager, Barry Hill, recently celebrated the achievement of completing 40 years unbroken service with the company. Hill joined KRT at the Southampton location in 1972 and spent 34 years at the centre before a... -
Toyo tyres OE on new Mazda CX-5
Toyo Proxes R36 tyres have been chosen as original equipment for the new Mazda CX-5 compact SUV. The 225/55 R19 99V Proxes R36 are said to complement the Skyactiv technology introduced on the Mazda CX-5. Skyactiv technology, which is described as a...
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Lassa producer Brisa investing US$117.5 million to expand tyre capacity in 2012
Brisa, the company producing Lassa brand tyres in a joint venture between Bridgestone and the Sabanci Group, has announced it will invest US$117.5 million expanding its tyre manufacturing units in Izmit, Turkey. The investment figure exceeds the $110 million of investment that was reported at the start of April. -
Nexen increases Italian market focus
Hot on the heels of the news that growing Korean tyre manufacturer Nexen has secured OE supply to Fiat, the firm has revealed details of its plans to expand in the well-known marques domestic Italian market. With a replacement market potential of over 30 million tyres a year in the passenger car segment, Nexen has suggested Italy is one of its key countries for expansion in Europe. -
Yokohama Tire Corporation debuts Mexico website
Yokohama Tire Corporation has launched a new Spanish-language website for Mexico. “The website is designed to meet the needs of our growing customer base in Mexico,” said John Cooney, Yokohama's director of export. “It has been customised with many of the features found on our English-language website in the US, including an interactive dealer locator, interactive product ‘hot spots’ and downloadable bulletins in Spanish. These... -
Gentipak to produce motorcycle tyres
Comments made in Pakistan’s Express Tribune indicate the General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan, also known as Gentipak, plans to enter the motorcycle tyre market in mid 2012. The Karachi-based tyre maker, which produces passenger car radials under the General and Euro brand names and cross-ply tyres for light trucks, trucks and agricultural vehicles, recently invested Rs500 million (£3.5 million) expanding its production facility and... -
Report: Cheng Shin, Kenda earnings to grow fast in 1Q 2012
Taiwan-based tyre makers including Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co. and Kenda Rubber Industrial Co., are expected to see substantial growth in earnings in the first quarter of 2012 due to declines in raw material prices, particularly natural rubber. Furthermore, according to Taiwan Economic News, the European sovereign debt crisis means tyre manufacturers have slashed inventories to get rid of the risk in the prices of stocked goods. -
Hankook establishes new subsidiary in Poland
Hankook Tire has established an additional subsidiary in Europe. The opening of the company’s Polish branch in Warsaw is in keeping with the growing demand for Hankook tyres in the European markets. “Thanks to our new subsidiary in Poland we are now also able to provide full service to our partners and customers in the 6th largest tyre market in the European Union. This is in-line with Hankook’s strategy of close market and customer... -
New trade deal will aid US doing tyre business with South Korea
TIA says that the renewed free trade deal with South Korea is a good deal for the U.S. tyre market. President Obama signed the renewal of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which was part of a trade pact originally agreed to between the U.S. and South Korea in 2007 – Korean-United States Free Trade Agreement. -
Tyre hijackers arrested
The Malay Mail reports that four armed intruders forced their way into a used-tyre factory in the township of Bandar Bukit Puchong, Malaysia, overpowering a security guard, who was bound and gagged, before driving off with a trailer loaded with 319 tyres. -
Pakistani tyre maker still under pressure from ‘smuggling’
Years of under-invoicing and rampant cross-border smuggling are still putting pressure on domestic tyre suppliers in Pakistan. So what’s the solution? Raid tyre markets in big cities instead of trying to stop smuggling along the long Pakistan-Afghanistan border, says General Tyre Pakistan chief executive Mohammad Shahid Hussain. -
Michelin extends with Ceva in Thailand
Michelin Thailand has renewed its logistics contract with Ceva for three years, to handle inbound tyres from Michelin’s production plants into warehouse facilities in three main locations across Thailand; Laemchabang, Nongkea and Nongree.
- Toyo tyres OE on new Mazda CX-5
- Hankook acknowledges employees’ long service
- Bridgestone says Russian Dandelions may be sustainable source of Natural Rubber
- High performance tyres, high performance service
- DAF selects Goodyear low rolling resistance tyres
- Linglong to exhibit expanded Green-Max range at Reifen 2012
- Point S UK reflects on successful 2011, seeks new members
- New Vauxhall Astra to be produced in UK; £125m invested
- Commuter bikes offer only good news as two-wheel registrations dip 3.5%
- ATS Euromaster rewarded for van fleet service development
QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Following the early release of UK's worst offender, is tyre dumping legislation toothless?
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