Up till now, SD International has primarily concentrated on providing a PCR and UHP-based product portfolio, but now the company is looking to further enhance its position in the global industry as a growing provider of truck brands. A Shanghai-based Contract tyre manufacturer, SD International specialises in offering Zeta and Pace branded products in the truck tyre market.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe Ltd. has appointed Jeff Schumaker as sales and marketing director. Schumaker will be based in Melksham, UK, and will report to Cooper Tire Europe vice president and general manager Julian Baldwin.
To celebrate half a century of keeping older cars on the road, Vintage Tyres has produced a car tyre fitment wall chart of British cars covering popular sizes for everything from AC to Wolseley, as well as lots of other information on tyre fitting and safety.
The Firenza truck tyre range has been specifically produced to provide a high quality alternatively in the mid-market sector, according to company representatives. And the brands position in the UK has been developed through the “strong partnership [that] has been forged in the UK between Firenza and International Tyres & Trading based in the West Midlands.” International Tyres are the exclusive distributor of the brand and the company reportedly provides “swift and efficient delivery throughout the UK.”
Aeolus added two new patterns to its growing truck tyre range. The ASR69 and ADR69 truck tyres are now available in popular sizes 295/80R22.5 and 315/80R22.5. According to the company, ASR69 replaces the HN257 and ADR69 replaces the HN355 for regional haul use. The new additions have been designed with a wider casing structure to make them suitable for retreading, a significant feature for Chinese manufactured truck tyres and one company representatives say will offer end users greater flexibility and life cycle value. All Aeolus truck tyres are also regroovable. (See separate article in September’s Retreading Special supplement for further details on Aeolus’ plans relating to the development of its retread offer)
Leading global independent tyre dealer network Point S has become the latest full member of the tyre safety campaign group TyreSafe. As a member, the network says it will provide its 133 independently owned centres in the UK with tyre safety advice and information, helping them to educate their own customers and improve standards of tyre care. “With so many customer touch points, it’s fantastic to have the support and backing of a network as significant and large as Point S,” comments Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.
Fast fit network HiQ has achieved a first in June’s round of satisfaction surveys: a 100 per cent rate of satisfaction. During the month more than 750 drivers who took their vehicles into HiQ centres completed “mirror hanger” satisfaction surveys. Since being launched in November 2009, the HiQ Mirror Hanger campaign has targeted thousands of customers and has been replicated at around 4,000 retail outlets across Europe. The latest results follow on from 99, 98 and 99 per cent satisfaction scores in March, April and May 2012 respectively. All these results are independently audited, HiQ says.
Kings Road Tyres (KRT) is one of the largest specialist wholesale distributors of truck tyres in the UK. With a track record stretching back 40 years, the company provides a complete commercial tyre service covering premium brands such as Bridgestone, Continental and Goodyear, through mid-range products from Firestone and its exclusive distributorship of the Continental Group brand, Matador. It is also the exclusive distributor of the fast-growing Chinese manufactured Aeolus and Antyre ranges, with retreads from Bulldog completing the portfolio.
Bridgestone staff raised more than £700 for Acorns Children’s Hospice at the company’s recent Olympic-themed sports day. The fundraiser saw staff at the company offices in Leamington Spa competing in events such as rowing, cycling and archery. Local paralympian Anna Turney, who is currently being sponsored by Bridgestone, was invited to award prizes for each individual discipline, as well as an overall team winner.
With GiTi Tire having launched 12 new tyres in 2012, and with 10 more due before end of the year, the company has announced that it is taking six of its latest truck and bus tyre products to the IAA commercial vehicle show in Hanover. Two of the new GT Radial products – the GAR820 steer axle and GDL617 drive axle patterns – will form the foundation of six product debuts in hall 16, stand A43.
The forecast at ATS Euromaster is overcast. But before shrugging your shoulders and bracing for a return to dismal summer weather, you should probably be aware that the cloud heading in the fast fit network’s direction is spelt with a capital C. Wi-Fi provider The Cloud is rolling out its network across ATS Euromaster locations throughout the UK, and as of next month customers will be able to access the internet via a fast and reliable Wi-Fi connection while work is performed upon their vehicles. Wireless connectivity will be offered free to ATS Euromaster customers.
Mitas Tyres UK Limited says its customers will benefit from extension of its distribution contract with Derbyshire-based Ascott Transport Limited (ATL); the deal with ATL enables next-day delivery on the company’s range of agricultural, industrial and motorcycle products. ATL manages the storage and distribution of the tyre maker’s tyres throughout the UK, and hold stocks of Mitas, Continental and Cultor-brand tyres to the value of £800,000 to £1,000,000.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber shares that its role as official tyre supplier to the US-based World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series will end after the 2012 season. Announcing the decision on 14 August, GoodyearRacing marketing manager Justin Fantozzi said “for three years, Goodyear’s high quality tyres have helped to maintain the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series as the most exciting and competitive series on dirt. We wish the World of Outlaws continued success in the future.”
On 13 August Polish tyre maker TC Dębica informed the Warsaw Stock Exchange of further reductions to its planned 2012 production of passenger car, truck and agricultural tyres. These changes approved by the company’s Board of Directors come on top of cuts announced in March and May, and reduce Dębica’s planned 2012 passenger car tyre production by an additional four per cent, truck tyre production by one per cent and agricultural tyre production by nine per cent.
Merseyside’s Kirkby Tyres & Wheel has introduced Cam Systems’ Wholesale Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The software provider says Wholesale CRM will help the independent tyre and wheel wholesaler and distributor improve its customer communications and interactivity.
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