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Tyrespot – the north-eastern England tyre retail and fitting business – has unveiled its new corporate image at the company’s depot in Washington, Tyne and Wear. In the ensuing months, the new “Autocentre” brand will adorn each of the company’s retail sites, in an attempt to draw attention to its tagline, “More Than Just Tyres”.
At its annual conference between 11 and 13 June, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) elected Tom Formanek as the new Board treasurer, and Michael Berra, Jr. as the new secretary. Both Formanek and Berra will assume their new roles effective 3 November, 2008.
Formanek is the manager of Tire Service Products with Stellar Industries, based in Garner, IA. He has served as a TIA Board member since 2002 and was a Tire Association of North America (TANA) and National Tire Dealer & Retreader Association (NTDRA) Board Member since 1992.
These days it comes as no surprise to learn of another price increase linked to rising raw material, energy and transportation costs. The latest to be announced comes from Michelin North America, who is increasing prices on a number of product lines.
US market prices for Michelin, BFGoodrich and Uniroyal passenger and light truck replacement tyres, plus those for private and associate brands, will rise by up to 12 per cent as of September 1. Michelin and BFGoodrich brand commercial truck tyres sold in the US replacement market will increase in price by as much as 8 per cent, also effective September 1. This price increase will also apply to Michelin Retread Technologies retreads, the company adds. On the same date motorcycle, scooter and bicycle tyre and tube prices will increase by up to 15 per cent on Michelin brand products sold in Canada, Mexico and the US. All two-wheel products delivered after August 31 will be invoiced at the new price.
TyreSafe has appointed Market Engineering as its PR agency. The agency was selected from a shortlist of five and will deliver a stream of news and educational stories to both trade and consumer audiences. The agency will also be responsible for promoting Tyre Safety Month in October.
Goodyear will double its production capacity at the company’s Maipú plant in Chile, following an investment of US$400 million over the next four years. Chilean business news sources quoted Goodyear’s Chilean president, Claudio Rodríguez Pemjean, stating that despite the 100 per cent proportion of raw materials imported to the factory, Goodyear plans to compensate by increasing the efficiency of the production process and updating its current technologies.
What may appear to some a complicated transaction is actually very simple: The unlisted holding company Sibur Holding, having sold its Sibur Russian Tyre business to the stock-exchange listed Amtel-Vredestein and then acquired the majority of all outstanding Amtel-Vredestein shares, has been able to obtain a tyre business that remains registered with the London Stock Exchange.
Partial day strike action at Kumho’s two main South Korean facilities is likely to cost the company about KRW 2.98 billion (£1.4 million) a day in lost output. Strike action initiated by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) began on July 2, and Kumho stated in a filing with the Korea Exchange that the strike calls for each shift and the factory to remain idle for four hours a day.
The US state of Ohio has granted some $18 million in tax breaks in an effort to convince Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire to keep its technical centre in Akron. In the deal, BFNAT would pay a reduced state commercial activity tax for 15 years in exchange for a commitment that the tyremaker would remain in Akron for at least 18 years.
The city of Akron, the state and Summit County have been working to assemble a financial incentive package to help keep BFNAT’s 600-employee technical center in Akron. The tiremaker is also considering a site in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, south of its Nashville headquarters, for a new facility.
Michelin North America has introduced the Uniroyal Laredo AWT II, designed for on- and off-road applications. The all-terrain radial offers improved tread life and wet and dry handling compared to its predecessor, the Laredo AWT, with its advanced polymer tread compound, stress-optimised contact patch and DuraShield construction, MNA said.
The Laredo AWT II will be available after July 1 in 21 sizes, including 13 S-rated P-metric and eight Q-rated LT-metric models. Three sizes of the original AWT – 31X10.50R15 109, LT285/75R16 LRD 122/119 and P235/75R15XL 108 – will remain in the line until April 2009, MNA said.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is making what it calls a major investment to keep its aircraft and medium radial truck tire plant in Danville, Virginia. The tyremaker is spending US$200 million to improve the equipment and technology at the factory over the next few years. Money from the state’s tobacco opportunity fund will help pay for the project.
The expansion will not create any new jobs, but company officials say it secures a place for the 2,200 people already working at the plant.
Pirelli Tyre has appointed the Tampa, Florida based advertising agency Pyper Paul + Kenny to develop the company’s worldwide branding and creative platforms. PP+K came to Pirelli’s attention through the agency’s work for the Grand American Road Racing Association, whom the manufacturer sponsors.
The Italian firm hopes to develop strategic alliances with the Association and with World Rally Championship through the new appointment. PP+K will simultaneously launch a magazine advertising campaign in various auto-magazines worldwide.
In its more than three decades of operation Triangle Tire has grown to become one of China’s top tyre manufacturers in terms of output. Annually the company produces, says Triangle, around 20 million units. Of this figure, radials account for as much as 16.5 million units, and the company claims to be the largest tyre manufacturer and exporter in China.
At the Reifen show sales manager Victor Wang spoke with Tyres & Accessories about numerous recent developments at Triangle Tire. Of particular significance, commented Mr. Wang, is a new product line introduced by the company. Called Diamond Back, the passenger car and SUV range is available in four distinct patterns, including the UHP TR968. Boasting some 20 sizes between 17 and 24-inches, the W and V speed rated range offers, says Mr. Wang, low rolling resistance, a high grip tread compound and rim protection flange on the sidewall.
In spite of determining that some 82,000 tyres produced between 2007 and March 2008 featured sidewall labelling not fully in compliance with US safety standards, Goodyear has petitioned the National Highway Transport Safety Authority (NHTSA) to exempt the products from a recall. The tyres in question incorrectly identify the number of plies in the tread as being ‘3 polyester and 2 steel’ rather than their actual ‘2 polyester and 2 steel’ manufacture, an error Goodyear believes to be inconsequential to vehicle safety as the tyres were correctly manufactured with the intended number of plies.
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In its almost 40 years of business York based Bond International has developed a strong nationwide wholesale distribution operation, and today the company sells an impressive three million tyres in the UK each year. At Reifen Essen T&A spoke with marketing director Richard Croft about the company’s brands and plans for the future.
News of particular significance is a shift in focus currently taking place at Bond International, a development announced for the first time during the Essen show. “We are increasing our export focus,” said Mr. Croft. “We are committed to establishing a presence in European markets.” The company has used the opportunity afforded by the massive exhibition to make new contacts on the continent, and Richard Croft expressed confidence on progressing with Bond International’s export plans as anticipated.
Comments given by Pirelli & C Spa chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera indicate that targets for company’s tyre business remain slightly higher despite declining car sales in Western Europe. Speaking to reporters on June 30, Mr. Tronchetti Provera said Pirelli is “working on growing where there is a sustained demand, to improve the profit mix and to reduce costs. Therefore we believe we can meet our targets.”
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