KPMG forecasts vehicle production growth
John Leech, head of automotive at KPMG, has commented on the latest automotive manufacturing figures published by the SMMT, suggesting that UK manufacturing will approach 10 per cent growth this year.
John Leech, head of automotive at KPMG, has commented on the latest automotive manufacturing figures published by the SMMT, suggesting that UK manufacturing will approach 10 per cent growth this year.
Under the heading of ‘On the Pulse of Tyre Technology’, Falken Tyre will present its extensive portfolio of tyres for cars, SUVs, vans and trucks at Reifen, the international trade show held in Essen from 24–27 May 2016.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has announced that access to manufacturer security data for the independent sector has cleared its final hurdle. The body for European Accreditation (EA) has officially ‘signed-off’ the SERMI (Security related Repair & Maintenance Information) scheme and it will now go forward into European Type Approval.
Univar Speciality Consumables, a UK-based distributor of specialty products and lubricants, announced it has joined the membership of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
More than 65 per cent of motorists want to retain the right to drive even though driverless cars are coming, two new pieces of research have shown. IAM RoadSmart – formerly the Institute of Advanced Motorists – conducted an independent survey of 1,000 British motorists and a separate poll among its 92,000 members.
As their Economies grow cities in the Northern Powerhouse should seize the opportunity to make their roads safer, according to road safety group SteerSafe. Manchester and Leeds should look to London to see what has been done to protect vulnerable road users in the capital – then do better, it advises.
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has welcomed UAN and its growing membership of 170 motor factors into the trade association.
The Goodyear truck tyre website for customers in the EMEA region – Europe, the Middle East and Africa – has been re-launched and is now available in a range of local languages. The updated truck.goodyear.eu site provides information on new and retreaded tyres, the Europe-wide TruckForce service network, the internet-based FleetOnlineSolutions management programme and the location of truck tyre dealers throughout the region.
One of the UK’s most prestigious rally events celebrates two important landmarks this weekend, with its title sponsor and tyre supplier at centre stage. The Pirelli Carlisle Rally – part of the British Rally Championship 2016 following the series’ relaunch – runs its 40th edition, and 25th under the Italian manufacturer’s name. Pirelli said its British Rally Championship stars would fight to deliver a victory on the home ground of high-speed gravel roads in the Kielder Forest. The rally consists of seven stages over Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, totalling 75 competitive miles.
According to reports from Mexico, Michelin has signed a contract to acquire land for a new passenger car and light truck tyre factory in Guanajuato state. Mexican publication ‘am’ shares that Hector Lopez Santillana, mayor of Guanajuato León municipality, has reported a sale contract has been signed for one block of land, and negotiations are currently being held over the sale of a second, 80 hectare block.
Patrick Haarmann is now head of Continental’s Asia Pacific (APAC) Truck Tire business. He began in this role on 1 March, succeeding Benoit Henry, who now works for Continental in Mexico. Haarmann is located in Continental’s APAC headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia and is responsible for the region’s replacement truck tyre business. He reports directly to Dr Andreas Esser, executive vice-president at Continental and head of the company’s Commercial Vehicle Tires business unit.
Roughly a year after Tyres & Accessories met Bridgestone North Europe region managing director Robin Shaw, just a few weeks after he took on the role, progress at the Warwick, UK-based part of the global company is said to have been “really good”. More than 12 months after our last interview, Shaw’s perspective on the tyre industry – previously he led Bosch’s UK operations UK – has deepened significantly as has his influence in the industry.
“The direction is good, but we always want to be further on than we are,” Shaw told Tyres & Accessories. Of course when you ask how business is at multi-segmented, multinational like Bridgestone, there is no simple answer to that question. Rather there are multiple variables, the importance of which differs from segment to segment. However, the general synopsis is that all segments are doing well, with some doing particularly well.
It may not be on the shortlist of sports under consideration for the next Olympic Games, however tractor pulling has a dedicated following, both in its homeland the USA and in a number of other countries. Within Europe, the sport is most loved by the Danes, Dutch and Germans, and to meet demand for tractor pulling tyres within our region, Mitas has launched the Powerpull into Europe.
A new organisational structure is being rolled out for Starco’s original equipment business in Western and Northern Europe. The company’s national sales entities will adopt a cross-border, segment-driven approach that will focus more strongly upon current customers and new, larger customers. Starco explains that this new structure’s adoption is being driven by market demands for specialised knowledge, strong supplier partnerships and cross-border mobility.
Tomasz Celka is the new managing director of Omsk Carbon Europe GmbH (OCE) effective immediately.
Celka has more than 15 years of chemical industry experience. He was previously responsible for the development of Omsk Carbon Group in Eastern Europe. His new priorities include: implementing the OCE development strategy and coordinating sales and distribution in the European market.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.