Gloucester-based Moreton C Cullimore is fitting Michelin XZE2 and Remix XDY3 tyres across its fleet of 42 vehicles, as part of a new agreement with ATS Euromaster to supply, fit and service its tyres. The sand and gravel merchant also has daily fleet checks carried out by a mobile ATS Euromaster technician who monitors tyre condition for optimum safety and performance.
Some of India’s leading tyre manufacturers including MRF and Ceat will cut prices by between 1 and 2 per cent. According to local news sources, the news follows a proposal from India’s finance minister to introduce a two percentage point cut in duty as part of the 2008/09 budget in order to boost manufacturing. As a result, Indian manufacturers are queuing up to be seen to pass on the benefit to their customers.
“We will be passing on the entire duty cut,” K.J. Rao Chief Financial Officer at Ceat was quoted as saying. Koshy Verghese, MRF’s executive vice president commented also gave details of a 1 per cent-plus price cut on its truck products. In 2007 MRF Ltd. was reportedly the Indian market leader (22% market share;) followed closely by Apollo Tyres Ltd. (21%); JK Tyre & Industries Ltd (18%); and Ceat Ltd. (13%).
The latest edition of Bosal UK’s exhaust catalogue has been launched with a range of exhaust systems and cats for over 98 per cent of the European car parc, making it the most comprehensive in the motor trade. The 1,000 page catalogue contains details of over 4,700 fully type-approved systems, over 300 of which are new from the last edition. There are listings for almost 600 new exhaust parts, including pipes, silencers, mountings and accessories and 138 new catalytic converters plus details of development items due for release during the two-year life of the new catalogue.
Revolution Motorstore has unveiled its latest wheel, which the company describes as “a retro classic” – the Lenso BSX. According to the promotional literature, the new wheel harks back to the glory days of the DTM and exudes “Old-School cool,” with it’s pseudo split-rim effect and highly polished rim. The new Lenso BSX in 15 or 16-inch sizes, with either 25mm or 38mm offset available. Prices start at just £99 inc. VAT for the 15-inch version and even custom drilled orders can usually be turned round in 72 hours. Revolution Motorstore is also offering a bespoke custom drilling service.
Continental has announced that it will use the CV Show to mark the European launch of a brand new trailer tyre for regional applications – the 385/65 R22.5. Speaking at the relaunch of ContiNetwork, truck brand manager, Mike Nyren, explained that other product launches include: new steer and drive tyres in 295/80R22.5, 12R22.5 and 11R22.5 sizes for construction or off-road applications. Also on display will be additions to the ContiRe retread range including the new 315/80R22.5 drive tyre for regional applications and 295/80 R22.5 construction drive tyre.
Continental will also show its new Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, the comprehensive tyre management package available from ContiEuroService Fleet Management and the new ContiNetwork dealer network structure.
Lassa has announced the introduction of the new High Performance Impetus Revo tyre. In a like-for-like competitor comparison, the new Lassa Impetus Revo “performed well in all areas and exceptionally when compared for aquaplaning and riding comfort,” Lassa representatives told Tyres & Accessories. 27 Revo sizes will be phased in during 2008, with a furher 15 further sizes following in 2009.
As a leading independent retread operation, Bandvulc Tyres has learnt to adapt its business model to the various market conditions it has encountered over the years. However, the Ivybridge, Devon-based family business remains unwilling to compromise on either quality or the ambitious targets it sets itself. With production expected to be around 200,000 units this year and having attained IS0 14001 in 2007, the company now aims to set the pace in terms of environmental tyre production.
One of managing director Patrick O’Connell’s targets for 2008 is to increase international sales. Bandvulc’s
number one target market is Germany, something that is evidenced by the fact that the company appointed a German speaking salesperson to cater specifically for this market at the end of last year. Bandvulc currently exports a total of around 5 per cent of production and has been selling tyres in Germany via the well-known, Conti-owned retail chain Vergoelst for four years now. O’Connell is very
positive about progress in the market: “Germany has a lot of potential,” he commented.
Bandvulc punches above its weight in terms of tyreproduction and development too. Speaking to Tyres & Accessories in late February, managing director, Patrick O’Connell revealed that Bandvulc re-invests £1 million a year into its manufacturing process alone.
As far as product development is concerned, the fact that Bandvulc does all its own compounding through its Devon Rubber division means the company is well-positioned to develop the new low rolling resistance compounds fleets now demand. In order to fulfil these demands Devon Rubber recently started using a specialist carbon black in its tread compounds and, as a result, all Bandvulc tyres are expected to benefit from the wear characteristics it provides.
Bandvulc is also using some of the latest digitised tyre footprint analysis systems and as a result will soon launch a number of updated products which have been optimised to improve mileage and handling characteristics. This range of tyres is known as the Plus range.
Equipment investments
The latest machinery update at Bandvulc is the addition of a new high speed shearography machine from Steinbichler in Germany. According to the company, casing shearography has been shown to save on inprocess rejects due to casing failures which would otherwise not be detected until each tyre is finally inspected before leaving the factory.
Following its installation, this £150,000 machine is now handling 250 (mainly 385 width) casings daily. Through further automation and potentially extending the period of operation, this will increase the quantity processed close to 80 per cent of total volume through the manufacturing facility.
However, the machinery upgrades don’t end there. During Tyres & Accessories’ factory tour, O’Connell revealed that Bandvulc is currently upgrading its entire collection of curing presses (42 in all). So far, the company has already installed and is running five bagomatic presses which are monitored in great detail by a bespoke-designed piece of computer software.
In addition to the sheer scale of curing presses that are installed, the fact that the Ivybridge plant is the only retread production site in Britain that uses three Marangoni Alpha Twin tyre building machines demonstrates Bandvulc’s quality orientated production philosophy.
Casing the joint
All retreaders need a steady supply of quality casings. That’s why at any given point Bandvulc has a stock of around 20,000 casings in its yard pre inspected. During the checking procedure, detailed notes of damage, husbandry and usage are stored in the company’s unique CCC (centralized database) system. To date this system has logged 10 years worth of inspections, relating to literally millions of casings. And all this gives Bandvulc a deep insight into the manufacturing consistency of various tyremakers’ overseas operations. It also enables the retreader to select from a wider range of casings than some retread producers. This gives the company the flexibility of reusing the range of tyres that may be fitted to a fleet’s vehicles.
Following inspection all tyres are barcoded using Bandvulc’s unique ‘Merlin’ product tracking system, which was installed last April. Next, approved tyres are conveyed to an adjoining building where casings are buffed down on 4 TRM computer automated machines (after inspection all casings are transported around the factory on an overhead monorail system). Following repair in one of Bandvulc’s eight “knights of the round table” themed repair bays, tyres are once again checked for defects including nail holes, using Hawkinson machinery.
After curing, the newly reborn tyres go through a post production test procedure that includes visual test, inflation test and the less common sonic testing. The latter sees the newly cured and trimmed tyre submerged in water and then showered with ultrasonic frequencies in a process not dissimilar to the ultrasound scans expectant mothers have. According to O’Connell, this technique is more effective than any other at detecting porosity. Again the software was designed by Bandvulc and custom produced for the independent retreader.
Greener than green
At the beginning of last year Bandvulc began an 11-month long project to obtain ISO 14001 certification. This was headed up by Matteo Littera, the company’s then Knowledge Transfer Partnership graduate. According to Bandvulc every single one of the 250+ workforce in Ivybridge was involved in its implementation.
While many manufacturing companies have achieved ISO 14001, what is unusual about Bandvulc is its whiter than white transparency about the details of its green policy, and the company’s attention to detail in this respect. How many other companies volunteer the information that switching the company boiler system to automatic start will save 443,136kWh per year (83 tons of CO2)?
Bandvulc’s Green thinking approach stretches as far as the boardroom, with company management keen to highlight the fact that its retreads have saved (at the time of going to press) 2 million litres of oil and 1.3 million kilos of rubber this year alone. Outside of the boardroom, Tyres & Accessories heard that certain senior managers’ company car choice is now heavily influenced by the amount of CO2 vehicles emit. Even company literature is printed on recycled carbon neutral paper!
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has reported net income of $51 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, ended 31 December. Income from continuing operations increased $67 million from a loss of $28 million for the same period last year. The substantial earnings improvement was accompanied by a new record of $765 million in sales for the quarter, a 7 per cent increase over the same period last year. During the quarter, the Company reported a $26.5 million gain on the sale of the operations of the Oliver Rubber Company and explained that it received net cash proceeds of $66 million.
The Company’s International Tire Operations reported sales of $228 million in the quarter, an increase of 29 per cent compared with the fourth quarter of 2006. The segment’s operating profit improved by $8.6 million to $3.8 million from a fourth quarter loss of $4.8 million the previous year. This increase was said to have been driven by higher unit volumes and pricing. For the total year, operating profit for the segment improved to $29 million, a $19 million increase over the same period last year.
Hankook Tire Europe has elected Hee-Se Ahn (48) as Vice-President of Sales & Marketing for the tyre manufacturer’s European regional headquarters, located in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt/Germany. He succeeds Byeong-Jin Lee who has moved to a new management position at the group’s headquarters in Seoul/Korea. Mr Ahn’s responsibilities will include successfully integrating the company’s new 500 million euro Hungarian production plant into its future European marketing strategy.
An affiliation with an organisation boasting 15 million members throughout the UK opens up new doors of opportunity in terms of potential customers, and last year such an opportunity came knocking for Michelin service partner ATS Euromaster. The nation’s second largest fast-fit organisation commenced a significant three-year contract with the AA in October, under which it took on the supply and service of tyres for the association’s roadside and recovery patrol fleet. As part of the three-tier agreement Michelin has become the preferred tyre brand of the AA, and as wear dictates ATS Euromaster will fit the French manufacturer’s products across the company’s fleet of around 2,500 patrol vans and 300 recovery vehicles.
“We have traditionally worked with two tyre suppliers, but during the latest contract negotiations we were able to consolidate supply by using ATS Euromaster’s service centres and mobile service vans to support our roadside and recovery patrol fleet,” commented Andrew Hamilton, AA head of fleet procurement. “Furthermore, a significantly enhanced member benefits package was agreed with ATS Euromaster.”
Bridgestone Potenza tyres are OE on the new 2008 Pontiac G8. Potenza RE050A (size 245/45R18 96V) tyres are optional on the base model 2008 Pontiac G8 saloon and standard on the sportier G8 GT. Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is also supplying an optional 245/40R19 94W Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyre for the G8 GT.
Stamford Tyres Distributors India Pvt Ltd has launched the Falken ZIEX ZE912 radial across its distribution network in India. Working in partnership with Sumitomo Rubber Industries – the Japanese designer and manufacturer of Falken and Dunlop tyres – Stamford Tyres will market the ZE912 tyre to owners of passenger cars, wagons and mini-vans.
Mr. Wee Kok Wah, President of Stamford Tyres said: “The ZE912 will become the core product of the Falken range that we sell. It sits in the middle (of the Falken range) between its top Ultra-High Performance tyres and its entry-level line. The ZE912 is a high-performance tyre with broad market appeal with sizes that can fit at least 80 per cent of the mid to upper segment passenger cars and MPVs now used on Indian roads. This means if a driver pulls up at one of our dealer outlets, we will have a ZE912 tyre that will be just right for his car.”
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced the appointment of Richard Noechel as vice president and corporate controller, replacing Thomas A. Connell, who in turn was named vice president and chief information officer. Noechel, 39, had been chief financial officer of Goodyear’s South Pacific Tyre subsidiary in Australia since 2006. He began his career with Goodyear in 2004, serving as assistant controller at the company’s corporate headquarters in Akron.
Prior to joining Goodyear, Noechel was vice president and controller for The Kmart Corporation from 2001 through 2004. He also worked for DaimlerChrysler in various positions from 1997 through 2001 and for Price Waterhouse LLP from 1991 through 1997.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is to pay a quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents per share on common stock 31 March, 2008, to stockholders of record at the close of business 10 March, 2008. The payment represents the 144th consecutive quarterly dividend made by Cooper Tire & Rubber Company.
Goodyear has introduced a range of new sizes for its Duragrip offering. Due to the apparent success of DuraGrip in 2007, the range has been extended covering popular family cars such as the Golf, Focus and Astra, as well as smaller cars such as the Fiesta, Punto and Polo. Goodyear representatives explain that the DuraGrip was specifically developed to cope with the constant stop/start of city driving. Futhermore, according to the company, the fitment of DuraGrip can actually pay back the price of the tyre in fuel savings.
“The tyre has been designed to deliver improved rolling resistance – and tests certainly show this to be the case. The DuraGrip tyre offers 18 per cent less rolling resistance than its predecessor. This, in turn, delivers increased fuel economy which is becoming an increasing priority for all drivers. In fact, when you do the sums you discover that the tyre can actually pay for itself within a year!” stated Ben Crawley, Brand Manager Goodyear UK.
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