Company News
Tom Lovesy appointed general manager at Supertracker
Supertracker has appointed Tom Lovesy as its general manager. The son of managing director, Trevor Lovesy, and grandson of original founder Keith Lovesy, Tom’s appointment shows the continuity of the wheel alignment specialist’s ownership. The company is preparing to enter its third generation of family management as one of the leading wheel alignment specialists in the UK market.
UK News
Supertracker adds STR130RW to its alignment line-up
Wheel alignment equipment supplier Supertracker has introduced a new six-sensor aligner, the STR130RW. The versatile aligner is capable of carrying out checks virtually anywhere in the workshop; it can be operated on a full wheel alignment lift, a standard four post lift, a two post lift, and on a level surface.
Product News
First Line oil sumps tackle increased risk of damage on UK roads
Reflecting the poor surface quality of many of the UK’s road network, with its potholes and debris, as well as the increase in speed humps and ramps, the number of vehicles entering the workshop with damage to their oil sumps caused not just by impacts, but from corrosion to exposed surfaces, has risen considerably.
International News
Gert Meylemans becomes Eurobat communications manager
Gert Meylemans, the former head of PR and corporate communications at Bridgestone Europe, has become senior manager communications at Eurobat, the Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers.
Career Tracks
Philip White Tyres appoints Marcus White as UK & EU sales manager
Marcus White has joined the Philip White Tyres Group (PWT) in the role of UK & EU sales manager. White is tasked with developing awareness and interest in Sunwide, a PWT-exclusive “value” brand of car, van, and SUV tyres, as well as a network of significant tyre dealers and regional wholesalers who can take Sunwide tyres direct by the container, the company states.
Motorsport News
Two Hyundais for the Liqui Moly Team Engstler
One of the most experienced racing teams in touring cars expands its fleet: Alongside the traditional VW Golf TCR, the Liqui Moly Team Engstler now also has two Hyundai i30 N TCR. The oil and additive specialist Liqui Moly welcomes this development as the main sponsor. "It is also an expression of our close cooperation with the car manufacturers," says marketing director Peter Baumann.
Retreading News
Marangoni GRP launches India’s first franchised Ringtread plant
Since late 2015, the Marangoni Ringtread process has been represented in India by Marangoni GRP, a joint venture between the Marangoni Group and India rubber recycler GRP. The joint venture operation has now begun the rollout of a network of franchised retreaders within the country – the first, Autobahn Retreading, has opened its doors in the city of Kochi (Cochin). The Autobahn Retreading plant was officially inaugurated by Giuseppe Marangoni, vice-president of the Marangoni Group, together with GRP’s chief executive officer, Harsh Gandhi.
Comment
Make tariffs great again
The tyre industry has seen its fair share of import tariffs in recent years. The largest scale of these, across the widest range of products, was initiated by the US against Chinese produced car tyres in 2009. That president has been and gone since then (as have further tariffs on car tyres and OTR tyres), but still tariffs are making a huge impact on the tyre industry in the USA and beyond.