Cooper Tire & Rubber’s operating group, Cooper-Standard Automotive, has created a joint venture company with Chinese manufacturer Saiyang Sealing Products. Together the companies will sell automobile sealing systems under the name Cooper Saiyang Wuhu Automotive.
As part of the association’s celebrations of its 75th anniversary, the National Tyre Distributors Association is holding a reception and buffet in the House of Commons. The reception will be attended by a number of MPs who have interests in the tyre sector and key industry figures. Tyres & Accessories will be there too bringing you coverage of the event from the nation’s capital.
After passing US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Amerityre is set to launch its polyurethane car tyres into the market within the next 12 months. The American corporation believes that it will initiate a conversion from rubber to polyurethane tyres throughout the whole industry and estimates that the complete conversion will take 12-15 years. Tyres & Accessories will take a look at this unique concept and in particular at the manufacturing differences and advantages that it holds over its rubber alternative.
MAM Software has developed new e-business links with Bridgestone UK. The manufacturer’s account holders will now be able to order stock directly over the Internet, without the need for faxes, telephones or third-party software.
Kumho Tire USA Inc is to increase prices on all of its tyres, effective of the 1 October.
Prices of the company’s passenger, light truck and commercial truck tyres will increase anywhere from three per cent to five per cent, depending on the model.
David Hudrlik, vice president and director of sales, referred to escalating raw material prices and rising shipping costs as the reasons for the increase. The company gave the same reasons for increasing its tyre prices in May.
Runflats are becoming more and more common and not only for high sophisticated models such as the Ferrari 612 Scaglietta, which uses Bridgestone RE 050 RFT – but also for middle class models. However because it is necessary to use a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) when using runflats, these systems are becoming more popular from a lot of companies outside the tyre industry. In the next issue Tyres & Accessories will give an overview of why tyre dealers have to be involved in such a growing market segment.
The Garage Equipment Association will now be represented in both the Automotive Trade Show and Commercial Vehicle Show Committee.
It has nominated Walt Koloska, sales and marketing director, of the Crypton Technology Group, a member of the GEA, to represent it on the committee.
The chairman’s committee of the supervisory board will propose Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann for the executive board of Continenal AG. Dr Neumann is currently head of the Electrics and Electronics unit of the Volkswagen group. In this position he has group-wide responsibility for electronics.
According to the company, Dr Neumann will take charge of Continental Automotive Systems (CAS) at the earliest possible date.
Cooper Tyre & Rubber has announced that it intends to produce racing tyres at the company’s factory in Athens, Georgia. As a result of the decision the company plans to invest $11 million (£6 million) in the plant so it will be able to produce racing tyres in the factory that currently produces retread products. The conversion to motorsport tyres should begin immediately. Developmental tyre production will start in early 2005.
The final deadline for acceptance of the takeover offer Continental AG, Hanover, has submitted for Phoenix AG, Hamburg, has expired. Upon completion of the statutory mandated two-week deadline extension, the international automotive supplier now has more than 75.96 percent of Phoenix shares at its disposal.
Execution of the takeover now depends on the outcome of the EU commission’s antitrust investigation. The EU is expected to issue its go-ahead until October.
With the takeover of Phoenix AG, Continental AG intends to further develop its ContiTech division into one of the world’s leading specialists in rubber and plastics technology.
Malaysian news sources are reporting that Sime Darby Bhd’s tyre division, Continental Sime Tyre Sdn Bhd, is planning to increase its production.
MAHA UK has appointed Peter Clarke to its sales team. Mr Clarke will now be responsible for providing support to the company’s distributors in central and north west England, and in promoting the sale of its commercial vehicle test lanes.
Mr Clarke boasts years experience in the garage equipment industry, having worked for Brown Brothers’ Garage Equipment Division, Gemco and Trojan Garage Equipment in south Gloucestershire.
Commenting on Mr Clarke’s appointment, Kevin Howard, director of sales and marketing, said, “We are delighted to have Peter as part of our team. His previous experience in the garage equipment industry will aid MAHA’s continuing success in supplying quality test and inspection equipment to garages and motor manufacturers. He has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the motor industry which will naturally be a great benefit to MAHA.”
Bridgestone has officially opened its third tyre plant in Thailand. The newly completed site, situated in the city of Chonburi, is predicted to produce 2,500 radial truck and bus tyres a day by the end of June 2005. What’s more the company estimates a further production capacity of 5,000 tyres a day by the end of 2006.
The Tyre Industry Association (TIA) has announced that it will support moves to restructure how the Federal Excise Tax (FET) is calculated on truck tyres.
UK power tool distributor, Toolmarque, will be launching a new range of Campbell Hausfeld air compressors and air tools on its stand, at this year’s Automechanika.
Toolmarque’s sales manager, Roy Hackett, commented: “We are delighted to add the quality of the Campbell Hausfeld name to our comprehensive range. They are synonymous with unique design features, outstanding warranty commitment and value throughout the line.”
The company will be show casing a range of products at this year’s exhibition, including reversible pneumatic drills. Visitors to the stand will also have the opportunity to test the products, as an air line will be installed to allow product demonstrations.
