Company News
Sigmavision wins venture capital from Mercia Fund Managers consortium
Sigmavision Ltd has announced that it has gained a major financial investment, which the company says will be used to “further accelerate the company’s rapid growth”. The funding comes from a consortium led by Mercia Fund Managers, which has invested “a significant undisclosed sum”, with the option of “substantial follow-on funding”.
UK News
1 in 5 think it’s sometimes acceptable to drink-drive – if you FEEL unaffected
Drink-driving skyrockets around festive period – latest police data shows there were 5,869 positive or refused breath tests in December vs 4,446 in February. A CarTakeBack.com and YouGov survey revealed that almost 1 in 5 (17 per cent) think it’s sometimes acceptable to drive after drinking - as long as they feel unaffected. With 40 million driving licenses in Great Britain, this is nearly 7 million drivers.
Product News
Does winter driving make you anxious? – Nokian shares driving tips for the inexperienced
The most challenging driving season is ahead of us, and the arrival of winter makes many of us uneasy about driving. Statistically, inexperienced drivers are many times more likely to have a traffic accident, but even newcomers can enjoy driving when their car and tyres are in good condition.
International News
Environ signs MoU with EE-TDF Cleveland
Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB has signed a memorandum of understanding with EE-TDF Cleveland, LLC, a US tyre-recycling company. The agreement remains in effect for six months, has an option to extend, and opens up opportunities for additional joint venture plants with an annual recycling capacity of 30,000 tonnes tyres.
Career Tracks
Specialist Automotive Global Skills Centre opens at MIRA
MIRA Technology Institute (MTI), a partnership between North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, Horiba MIRA, Coventry University, Loughborough University and the University of Leicester has officially opened at MIRA Technology Park (MTP). The institute, went into operation in September, was created to satisfy an ever-increasing demand for specialist skills in the automotive sector, with a focus on the growth of new and disruptive technologies.
- Sofie Bronserud joins Bridgestone North Region marketing team, Stuart Attfield promoted
- Continental re-emphasises partnership with ContiTread cold retreaders
- CAM appoints Frankie Sharp head of product management
- Ex-Triangle and Goodyear Tire executive Cohade joins Johnson Controls
- Oriente Tire USA names David R J Halldane Petlas Tire US sales director
Motorsport News
5 years on, Evergreen-Zelos partnership ‘thriving’
Renault Clio Cup racer Dan Zelos has been supported by Evergreen Tyres for half a decade. The partnership started in karting, and has continued to Zelos’ current drive in the Renault Clio Cup. The tyre brand states that its support for Zelos is motivated both by the marketing opportunity it offers and by helping a young driver achieve his ambitions.
Retreading News
Marangoni and Vipal announce partnership
Marangoni Spa and Borrachas Vipal SA have announced that the two retreading material suppliers have entered into a partnership agreement aimed at “increasing the synergies and productivity, strengthening the industrial and commercial organisation of both groups”. Details of precisely what this means are still scarce but, according to a statement issued by Marangoni, this will lead to the creation of “the largest global independent player in the tyre retreading sector”.
Comment
2018 has been ‘Up in the air’
When it comes to reviewing 2018, two words sum up the kinds of talking points virtually everyone has touched on this year: tariffs and Brexit. Indeed it has to be said that 2018’s two meta-themes are not entirely separate from one another. Nevertheless, both have this in common. For most of the last twelve months details of both subjects have been “up in the air”, leaving the rest of us to forecast (which often means speculate) exactly what is going on. See page 32 for further analysis of what has been going on this year as well as coverage of a couple of stories that are emblematic of these themes.