Increased Productivity will Lead to Job Cuts, says Report
A new report published by industry analysts, Plimsoll Publishing, identifies 22 companies whose efficiency could have an impact on the rest of the industry.
A new report published by industry analysts, Plimsoll Publishing, identifies 22 companies whose efficiency could have an impact on the rest of the industry.
The majority of Tyres & Accessories readers who responded to the current question of the month are opposed to the direct sale of truck tyres to haulage companies. This update follows the news that half of those who responded are against direct sales. The progress of the question of the month suggests that a number of truck tyre dealers are less than satisfied with the current situation. T&A would like to hear from you. To read the current question of the month and to add your own views, click here
Cooper Avon Tyres Ltd has confirmed that it has developed a 330/30R17 motorcycle tyre. The new product will be available for sale in early 2005.
UK Equipment Ltd has appointed Linda Norman as service manager. In her new role she will be responsible for directing the company’s team of service engineers and its service call centre based in Reading. Through her new position Linda will aim to ensure that best practice is implemented across UK Equipment’s service organisation and she will also be working closely with key customers and partners to ensure that a premium service is provided.
Before joining the company Linda held a number of managerial positions within the UK workshop equipment industry, including 20 years at Transervice and more recently David Brown Radicon.
“Linda’s appointment will strengthen our service organisation and allow us to expand our market profile in the wheel service and MoT sectors,” said Brian O’Sullivan, general manager at UK Equipment Ltd. “One of our unique strengths is that we design, manufacture and service all of our products within our company. Enhancing our service team will allow us to provide the strongest offering to garage equipment customers in the UK”.
Only two years after its foundation, Cevher Alloy Wheels (Izmir, Turkey) has achieved the impressive feat of becoming an original equipment (OE) manufacturer of aluminium casting wheels. The company’s first assignment will be producing wheels for the Volkswagen T5, followed by a contract to work with Ford in the company’s Turkish car plant. In a promising development for the company, there have also been discussions with BMW. The acceptance of the company into the OE ‘circle’ is down to years of OE experience producing a range of other aluminium car parts says group president and CEO, Haluk Oezyavuz.
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc’s second quarter results show that the company has felt the consequences of increased steel and iron prices and lowered OEM production requirements in North America.
At the beginning of October Mercedes’ new CLS-Class range will make its market debut. From Mercedes’ point-of-view the new cars represent the bridge between “the elegance and dynamics of a Coupé and the practicality of a saloon.”
The Italian aluminium wheel brand, OZ, is known worldwide for its involvement in motorsports. It is equally well known in the aftermarket because of its good reputation. But, in recent times there have been many fears that Italian companies couldn’t compete in European market, where high quality and low prices are paramount. Now, at thirty years old, the company has experienced the sharpest turnaround in its history. A turnaround that the management believes has a lot to do with its acceptance of Japanese Kaizen Philosophy. To download this article as a PDF file, click here.
The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has said that it expects demand for tyres to increase by 4.1 per cent in the US. The growth is attributed mainly to “broad-based economic growth in the consumer and commercial sectors.” According to the association, this growth is expected to continue over the next few years inline with the US economy’s moderate growth pattern. Overall, the combined original equipment (OE) and replacement shipments for both the car and truck categories are anticipated to increase by 12.6 million units to nearly 323 million units. In 2003 it amounted to 310.3 million. The association is projecting that this figure will reach 356 million units by 2009.
August’s new car market has dipped 4.9 per cent at 84,996 units. However, this figure remains one per cent up compared with last year’s total thus far. Another saving grace for the figures is that they are six per cent better than the five-year average of 80,221 units.
The August market is typically three per cent of year-end total compared to around 17 per cent in September. According to the SMMT since the start of the twice yearly plate change in 1999 the September market has on average accounted for 411,157 units. Industry representatives are expecting a market on par with last year’s 439,365 units, in the 430,000 to 440,000 unit range. They recognise that the new car market has started to cool and the effect of interest rate rises on consumer confidence are said to account for this.
Commenting on the August market, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said: “Until the industry moved to a twice yearly registration plate change, August was the month to watch. Now, its significance is dwarfed by the key September market.
“Growth that has sustained the market for the last four years has eased a little in recent months and it will be the September figures that tell us if a strong start to 2004 will bring a fourth consecutive record year.’
Nick Gregg, group managing director at ATS Euromaster, has been appointed to join the Tyre Industry Council later this year, strengthening the retail representation on the Council.
The TIC claims that its tyre safety work is expanding, particularly in the area of tyre safety clinics and roadside tyre checks, and so welcomes the support from retailers as well as tyre manufacturers.
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co has announced that it has set up a wholly owned subsidiary in Guangzhou, southern China.
Continental chairman, Manfred Wennemer, has said that the company will announce that it has agreed to a joint venture in China, this week, according to German media sources.
The widespread introduction of catalytic converters, almost a decade ago, has had a dramatic effect on vehicle pollution. Harmful emissions from petrol cars have been reduced by an average of 75 per cent. The effectiveness of ‘cats’, combined with vast improvements in the quality of fuels, means that today it is estimated that it would take up to approximately 100 new cars to produce the same emissions as just one made 20 years ago. To download this article as a PDF file, click here.
All exhibition space at the 37th Essen Motor Show is booked out, say the organisers. From 26 November to 5 December, 2004, 570 companies from 19 different countries will present their latest innovations. In keeping with the exhibition’s motto “Formel Fun,“ the organisers want to bring visitors’ fascination with cars to life. One of the biggest and most influential passenger car exhibitions this year, the show is expected to attract more than 400,000 visitors. Several new models are expected to make their debut. In addition, the tuning sector of the industry will display many new products on its exhibition stands.
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