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About Andrew

Andrew is an editor for WhatTyre, Tyrepress, and Tyres & Accessories magazine. He has more than a decade of experience in editing, writing, and journalism.

Entries by Andrew

Cartopia CEO warns garages’ ‘Covid hangover’ will persist

The challenging business conditions for garages following the Covid pandemic are likely to persist “for some time to come yet,” according to a high-profile garage owner. Speaking to Garage Hive’s The Blend Podcast, Nikki Cowan, chief executive officer at Cartopia and former TV presenter, said that unpredictable fluctuations in demand are likely to continue for years, making it crucial for garage owners to plan ahead and find ways to smooth out the peaks and troughs in business. The podcast aims to offer practical steps to help businesses within this landscape, such as smarter workload planning, customer retention strategies, and embracing innovation.

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Related news:

  1. Garages to remain open despite lockdown
  2. Autogem introduces multi-use face masks for garages
  3. Insurance, risk and the tyre industry: Tyrepress talks to Ben Harrison, vice president, Marsh Commercial
  4. Garage Hive launches ‘Garage Industry Trends’ website

TMD Friction is Arnold Clark Autoparts Supplier of the Year 2024 – Bilstein, Yuasa also recognised

Arnold Clark Autoparts has made TMD Friction its Supplier of the Year 2024. The award recognises the brand’s “outstanding performance across key criteria including parts availability, pricing, customer service and technical support,” according to Craig McCracken, group factor manager at Arnold Clark Autoparts. “As always, it was a tough choice, and we’d also like to extend our thanks and appreciation to febi Bilstein as our deserving runner-up, along with all our supplier partners for their ongoing commitment.”

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Related news:

  1. Arnold Clark Autoparts expands range of EV parts
  2. Bilstein releases Honda NSX B6 Sport damper upgrades
  3. MTS brand driving quality to aftermarket, say leading factors
  4. Demand grows for National Auto Parts’ brake products

Goodyear to introduce new slick specification tyre for LMP2 at Le Castellet

Goodyear will debut a new slick tyre specification for LMP2 teams at the 4 Hours of Le Castellet (4 May). Goodyear says the new specification marks a step forward in performance and durability. The newly developed LMP2 slick specification builds upon the foundation of Goodyear’s existing compound. Goodyear expects the tyre to improve performance and durability for drivers across race stints, after it is introduced for the second round of the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS). It will also be used for the remainder of the 2025 ELMS campaign and by all 17 LMP2 contenders entered for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. 

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Related news:

  1. Goodyear returns to German motorsport in 2020
  2. New Goodyear branding unveiled in esports Le Mans
  3. Goodyear anticipates WEC restart, with partner teams in contention
  4. Podium finishes mark Goodyear’s return to Le Mans 24H
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TRA ‘encouraged’ by minister’s commitment to circular economy solution for UK used tyres

Following the Defra Minister Mary Creagh MP’s “robust” statements in answer to questions on used tyre exports and other matter pertaining to tyre recovery in the UK on 29 April, the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has responded with cautious optimism. Prompted by the concerning revelations of the BBC’s File on 4 documentary, The Tyre Scandal, the debate saw the Minister acknowledge the programme’s “deeply upsetting” findings and pledge a crackdown on “waste cowboys” to “clean up Britain”.  Telling the chamber in a Westminster Hall debate that it was time to “close the waste loopholes” the minister said: “We have got to stop outsourcing our waste problems to other countries.” She summed up her position by quoting a song made famous by Elvis Presley: “A little less conversation, a little more action.”

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Related news:

  1. ‘A little less conversation, a little more action’ – UK parliament discusses used tyre exports
  2. UK parliament to debate UK export of used tyres
  3. Could Red Sea shipping issues be catalyst for UK to increase circular economy capacity utilisation?
  4. Mounting evidence of fly-tipping and abandonment alarms TRA members
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‘A little less conversation, a little more action’ – UK parliament discusses used tyre exports

The issue of used tyre exports was the subject of a Westminster Hall debate today (29 April) at 11:00. Tessa Munt, the Liberal Democrat MP for Wells and Mendip Hills, asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mary Creagh (Labour MP for Coventry East) a series of 13 questions around both the issue and the Environment Agency’s review of the situation, announced by the government in response to increased scrutiny of the sector. This was raised following a BBC documentary, The Tyre Scandal, exposing the damage caused by UK waste tyres being burnt in India, in addition to a legal challenge brought by the campaign group Fighting Dirty on the UK’s failure to prevent the illegal use of ELTs exported to India. The debate, which was welcomed by the Tyre Recovery Association, covered a lot of ground beyond the procedure used for the EA review, taking into account the loss to the UK’s circular economy these waste tyre exports represent as well as the legal and ethical problems associated with the current situation.

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Related news:

  1. UK parliament to debate UK export of used tyres
  2. Could Red Sea shipping issues be catalyst for UK to increase circular economy capacity utilisation?
  3. TRA lobbies MPs to protect UK tyre recovery infrastructure
  4. Mounting evidence of fly-tipping and abandonment alarms TRA members
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UK parliament to debate UK export of used tyres

The UK parliament will debate the issue of used tyre exports next week (11:00, Tuesday 29 April) in a move welcomed by the Tyre Recovery Association. The case for making used tyres harder to export is strong: in India, the destination for many UK-generated used tyres, they prove to be highly polluted, while the removal of this potentially valuable resource from the national circular economy diminishes energy and material recovery opportunities for UK businesses. The Westminster Hall debate was secured by Tessa Munt, the MP for Wells and Mendip Hills. It comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the sector following the BBC’s File on 4 documentary, The Tyre Scandal, which exposed the damage caused by UK waste tyres being burnt in India.

Related news:

  1. Regulation changes approach as TRA, tyre associations issue rallying cry
  2. TRA Recycling Day 2016 pursues professional collective approach
  3. TRA lobbies MPs to protect UK tyre recovery infrastructure
  4. Could Covid impact lead to widespread ‘dead-end’ stockpiling of waste tyres?
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ZC Rubber to launch Westlake, Goodride car and truck tyres at Autopromotec 2025

Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber) plans to introduce a raft of new Westlake and Goodride tyre products for the consumer and commercial segments at Autopromotec 2025 (Booth D22, Hall 20; 21–24 May; Bologna, Italy). Both of the largest Chinese tyre manufacturer’s global brands will display car tyres with A-rated wet grip on the EU tyre label, new ranges targeting cold weather performance, and the company’s latest commercial tyres, including Westlake’s second-generation truck tyres and a new flagship range for Goodride.

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Related news:

  1. Nexen to exhibit new winter, all-season tyres at Autopromotec
  2. ZC Rubber expanding PCR capacity to meet growing domestic demand
  3. Autopromotec 2017 breaks all records
  4. Intergomma shows entire Aeolus range at Autopromotec

Shrewsbury independent garage unveils ambitious expansion plan – ‘Go big or go bust’

Shrewsbury independent garage Halfway House is planning to expand its business to 11 sites in the next seven years. The garage, a Point S member, has taken its first step with a £45,000 investment in a state-of-the-art second facility in Shrewsbury. As part of its expansion plan, Halfway House will create customer service and marketing roles, as well as adding more skilled technicians. Commenting on the company’s plans and warning against pessimism in the aftermarket, owner Russell Hughes said the independent sector’s “success will hinge on willingness to invest and adapt to emerging opportunities.” He summarised Halfway House’s strategy as “go big or go bust.”

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Related news:

  1. Point S building on UK investment 
  2. Point S Launched in UK Market
  3. Iverson Tyres also bought by Halfords
  4. Point S UK targets automotive service network leadership by 2035
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Jinyu opens 10 million tyre capacity Vietnam car tyre plant

Chinese tyre manufacturer Jinyu has hosted the official opening of its new passenger car tyre in Vietnam, which has recently been fully commissioned. Jinyu (Vietnam) Tire, locate in Tay Ninh Province, celebrated the first phase of its project as company executives, representatives from the local Vietnamese government, Phu Dong Industrial Park, partners, and employee representatives gathered to witness what it called “a significant milestone in the company’s globalisation journey.” Upon completion, due in the second half of 2026, the plant will have an annual capacity of 10 million passenger car and light truck tyres.

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Related news:

  1. Sailun confirms Jinyu and Shenyang double acquisition
  2. European car tyre imports rise despite apparent risks of offshoring production
  3. Nokian to invest $360 million in new US tyre factory
  4. Roadbot roadblock – Middle Eastern tyre factory stalls due to pandemic
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Vaculug becomes Transaid corporate partner

Vaculug has signed a three-year corporate partnership with international development organisation, Transaid. The new agreement builds upon Europe’s largest independent retreader’s sponsorship of Transaid ambassador Guy Heywood’s recent fundraising initiatives, as well as its donation of funds for Transaid’s access to healthcare programmes in Zambia.

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Related news:

  1. Hankook signs 5-year agreement with Vaculug retreading business in UK and Ireland
  2. Guy Heywood named Hankook Tire Europe truck tyre marketing director
  3. £7 million fraud suit brought against Vaculug’s former owners
  4. Laufenn launch makes Hankook more holistic commercial tyre supplier
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Paul Cowland becomes Envoy Tyres brand ambassador

Paul Cowland has become a brand ambassador for Envoy Tyres. The professional car enthusiast has fronted several television shows on car culture and worked for popular car brands such as Subaru, Isuzu and Saab. Envoy Tyres is a new sister brand to Davanti Tyres, targeting high product quality at an accessible price range. As the first face of the brand, Cowland will help raise UK brand awareness for Envoy, while seeking to increase consumer knowledge about the importance of purchasing quality tyres. He commented, “I’m really looking forward to spreading the word about Envoy and also showing consumers why they should be putting tyres and tyre safety higher up their ‘to do’ list.”

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Related news:

  1. Winter growth for GT Radial following all-season product introduction
  2. Davanti unveils wave of new product, partnership news at first conference
  3. Stapleton’s presents Triangle tyres distribution deal to dealers at PalmerSport event
  4. European car tyre imports rise despite apparent risks of offshoring production
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Mitas to exhibit agricultural tyre solutions at Brazil’s Agrishow 2025

Mitas will exhibit its agricultural tyre solutions at Brazilian expo, Agrishow 2025 in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, (28 April to 2 May, Booth E8b). One of the world’s largest agribusiness fairs, Agrishow celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, bringing together thousands of professionals, manufacturers, and industry leaders to explore the latest innovations in agricultural technology. Mitas will present tyres like the HC 3000, HC 1000, and SFT (Super Flexion Tyre) models, designed to support increased farming efficiency and sustainability.

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Related news:

  1. ‘Mitas Premium’ announced at EIMA – Continental name to be phased out on OE agri tyres
  2. SIMA launch for latest Mitas VF agri tyres
  3. Mitas agricultural ‘slick’ tyre – ‘designed by pullers for pullers’
  4. ‘Planning, communication’ help Trelleborg implement plans during pandemic

New Pirelli P Zero PZ5 wins performance tyre test in stunning debut

A new performance tyre test by Tyre Reviews has made the new fifth-generation Pirelli P Zero PZ5 its highest recommendation, edging out the Continental SportContact 7, a perennial winner in the three years since its launch. The test endorses Pirelli’s claim that the fifth-generation product has added all-round capabilities to the PZ4’s specialism in handling, with additional wet grip, braking stability, and others. In addition to the Conti ultra-ultra-high performance (UUHP) product, Tyre Reviews tested premium contenders that have been among the best tyres in the segment for several years in the Bridgestone Potenza Sport, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S. The test also looked at the Falken Azenis FK520, the latest in a line of tyres that has seen the Sumitomo brand compete with the legacy premium brands, and the budget Sunny NA305. All tyres were tested on a VW Golf GTI mk8 in size 225/40 R18 92 Y.

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Related news:

  1. Michelin the number one consumer researched tyre brand: Tyre Reviews
  2. Conti SportContact 7 ‘sets benchmark’ in Tyre Reviews UUHP tyre test
  3. 3 tyres rated ‘exemplary’ in Auto Bild’s winter tyre test
  4. Goodyear: New EfficientGrip Performance 2 tyre offers 20% more mileage than Michelin

GSF Car Parts CEO reaffirms commitment to garages live on BBC Breakfast News

The CEO of one of the UK’s most important motor factors has discussed the implications of tariffs for the aftermarket on national television. Steve Horne, CEO of GSF Car Parts told BBC Breakfast the company will attempt to soften the blow to independent garages as the impact of the trade tariffs unfolds.

Related news:

  1. LKQ Euro Car Parts headline sponsor for Automechanika Garage Awards 2024
  2. IAAF conference ‘a great success’
  3. IAAF regional meetings to offer state-of-the-art member facility tours
  4. New owners & execs at GSF Car Parts

RAM Tracking partnership contributes increased efficiency for ASB Delivery Services

Leeds-based logistics and delivery service provider ASB Delivery Services says its strategic partnership with RAM Tracking has yielded significant cost and efficiency savings. The company has implemented RAM Tracking’s advanced fleet management solutions over the past nine years, transforming its fleet of 28 vans in the process.

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Related news:

  1. MWheels publishes commercial vehicle wheel safety white paper for fleet operators
  2. Slight recovery in June LCV market, but YTD still down
  3. ATS Euromaster’s MasterCARE keeps Cloudbass on the air
  4. Van market up five per cent in August

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