This author has yet to write their bio.Meanwhile lets just say that we are proud Chris contributed a whooping 2465 entries.
Speaking on behalf of the executive officers of the NTDA, national chairman Martin O’Brien welcomed delegates to the 7th NTDA Tyre Industry Conference (sponsored as it was by GB Tyres (UK) Ltd in association with Linglong Tyres), before updating us all on the continued growth of the association and addressing the subjects of recycling (via a TRA update) and industry training.
Formula One Autocentres can now count 124 garages in its growing network after opening the doors to its Spalding branch on 13 October 2021.
Tech Europe introduced Dinara Izmaylova as the newest member of its team on 5 October. Based in company’s Rovereto, Italy office, Izmaylova joins as a new sales area manager covering Russia, Scandinavia, Finland and the Middle East, as well as the Baltic and CIS regions.
In August Wayne Daniel, network operations manager UK, announced the appointment of Tony Valentine as business development manager within the Point S UK team. Valentine, who joined in July has worked in the tyre industry for 40 years latterly with Yokohama HPT.
While almost every automotive business has been affected by current world events, for wheel manufacturers, a ‘perfect storm’ of global trading conditions has created a challenging trading period. Tyres & Accessories recently heard from Dave McMillan, sales director for Wheelwright, one of Britain’s longest standing manufacturer and retail names, who gave us an insight into how the company is coping with a new raft of logistical and financial travails.
ATEQ TPMS Tools and Anyline, which develops mobile data capture technology, have announced that they have entered a strategic partnership that they say will “propel the TPMS industry forward”. As a result, Anyline’s advanced optical character recognition (OCR) solutions for the automotive aftermarket will be integrated into ATEQ’s TPMS tools, enabling technicians to scan tyre DOT codes, as well as vehicle identification numbers (VIN) and license plates.
While DVSA data suggests there will be another Autumn/Winter MOT demand peak this year following last years extension related mini-boom, the fleet sector was not part of it in September 2021. According to fleet system provider epyx, there was no substantial jump in the number of fleet MOT tests undertaken during September, despite warnings that deferrals made during the pandemic could lead to massive demand.
Egypt’s automotive aftermarket has been dubbed “one of Africa’s most exciting markets” as its motoring population and vehicle sales grow, its economy expands and the government moves to combat automotive emissions. Germany’s Africa business experts africon, the knowledge partners of Automechanika Dubai, suggests these trends have resulted in an aftermarket now worth between US$1-2 billion in a whitepaper on the subject.
Pirelli is raising awareness to the trade of tyres being offered with the barcodes partially or fully removed or made illegible. The alteration and modification of these barcodes is not authorised by Pirelli, under any circumstances. Pirelli is “strongly recommending” to its partners and dealers to not trade in any Pirelli tyres where the barcode has been “removed, altered or made illegible (either fully or partially)”.
NTDA chief executive Stefan Hay’s NTDA Tyre Industry Conference 2021 speech covered a range of pressing topics, that – due to the impact of the pandemic and its associated lockdowns – couldn’t be addressed in-person before now: key worker lobbying, climate change and the importance of training and technicians were amongst the main topics.
The Office National Statistics (ONS) has reported a record number of job vacancies in July to September 2021 – 1,102 million in total, an increase of 318,000 from its pre-pandemic January to March 2020 level. This was the second consecutive month the three-month average has risen over one million. And what’s more, vacancies for roles related to mechanical repair were amongst the leading sectors.
Following its rise to prominence and a couple of months after Royal Mail began trialling the same brand, leading parcel delivery firm DPD is conducting “full road trials” of Enso tyres for commercial electric vehicles (EVs). The DPD/Enso trial is a part of Transport for London’s FreightLab Innovation Challenge, which is encouraging innovations that will tackle London’s air pollution and road congestion due to increased freight movement in the Greater London area. The London FreightLab Innovation Challenge is backed by the Mayor of London and Enso is based in London.
Fast-growing tyre retailer Eden Tyres & Servicing tyres opened its 19th centre in September 2021. Just a month later, the company has announced plans to open its 20th tyre retail site.
Hubtrac’s global management team has announced that it will increase sales expectations for the fourth quarter of 2021 and complete “the latest market positioning and orientation of Hubtrac tyres by the end of the year.”
After months of applications and dozens of letters of support from local residents, Stone Tyres planning permission application for an MOT centre alongside its tyre premises has been granted.
