News
Free online OTR tyre library launched
On 14 June 102 psi launched The Global OTR Library, a free online resource of OTR tyre information. According to the project’s founder, 102 psi, the library makes “multi-brand technical OTR tyre information available at the touch of a button”.
Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation rally car fits Klarius exhaust
Preparing rounded future professionals for the demands of motorsport is often best achieved through a mixture of education and experience. Hence Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation (OUMF) offers exactly these sorts of opportunities to young people, running a multitude of classic cars in some of the world’s most prestigious racing events. Motorsport isn’t kind to vehicle components though, so when the OUMF required a new racing exhaust for its Mercedes 380 SL rally car project, the UK’s largest manufacturer of aftermarket exhausts, Klarius Products Ltd, was ready to offer a solution.
Liqui Moly becomes name sponsor of Handball Bundesliga in Germany
Liqui Moly will become a name sponsor of the highest level of handball in Germany in July 2019. The lubricant specialist has acquired the naming rights to the men’s highest division, which will then be called the Liqui Moly Handball Bundesliga. The contract is valid for three seasons with an option for two more.
Vredestein: a ‘heritage’ tyre brand for ‘one of oldest’ garages in Surrey
Rowledge Garage has selected Apollo Vredestein as its tyre manufacturer of choice because of the Vredestein brand’s 110 year heritage and reputation. “We felt that we needed a brand which could guarantee performance, safety and quality to our customers,” said current owner Martin Hoare. “We have built our business on trust and reputation, and Apollo Vredestein shares that philosophy with us.”
GT Radial takes over Horiba Mira circuits for customer Ride and Drive Day
Giti Tire’s GT Radial Ride and Drive Day at Horiba Mira, held in partnership with exclusive brand distributor passenger for car, SUV/4x4 and light truck tyres, Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS), was attended by a capacity group of 40 new and existing customers. A mixture of independent garage owners representing potential partners and GT Radial Performance Centres (GTPCs) were given the opportunity to test out the GT Radial passenger car tyre portfolio on the test centre’s circuits, including the wet handling circuit in Golf GTIs on both the FE1 and SportActive tyres, and the wet circles ‘drifting’ in a new BMW 3.
Nexen partners with Plug and Play
Nexen Tire has formed a strategic partnership with Plug and Play, the world's largest corporate innovation platform and startup accelerator. Plug and Play was an early investor in Silicon Valley's most renowned firms including PayPal, Lending Club, Dropbox and SoundHound. In doing so Nexen has highlighted its view of the importance of start-up thinking, future mobility, open-R&D and the Internet of Things (IoT) – all trends that the wider tyre industry is predicted to become increasingly involved in over time.
Rubber bitumen plant to ‘eat’ 500,000 car tyres a year
Hungarian oil and gas company MOL Group is setting up a new rubber bitumen plant in Zalaegerszeg, in the west of the country. A foundation stone for the facility was laid in May; when complete next year, it will be able to produce 20,000 tonnes of rubber bitumen for road building applications.
A million tyre selfies with SnapSkan
In the two and a half years since Nokian Tyres first invited motorists to drive into its SnapSkan machine and take photos of their tyres, a million cars have been through SnapSkan units in Finland and Norway. What Nokian has found upon reaching the seven-digit milestone in May is that a tenth of all drivers are taking a risk by driving on tyres with insufficient tread depth. The issue of insufficient tread depth is more pronounced for summer tyres, the tyre maker adds.
Vredestein joins NAAC as Corporate Partner
Vredestein has been engaged in the agricultural segment for over twenty years, and in the UK has now further reinforced its commitment to providing solutions for agricultural OEMs and end users by joining the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) as a Corporate Partner.
Digital transformation in the tyre sector
At the start of May, Zivojin Sekulic of GAJ d.o.o. gave a presentation on the digital transformation of the tyre industry at Guangrao Tyre Conference and Expo 2019. Shortly afterwards, he shared details of the presentation with Tyres & Accessories, which shows how digital data is affecting all parts of the distribution chain.
Xingyuan introduces Anchee brand
The export office of Qingdao-based Xingyuan Tires Group, which is around the 30th largest tyre manufacturer in the world and has been a top 10 Chinese tyre manufacturer since 1994, has announced the introduction of the new Anchee passenger car tyre brand.
Stapleton’s invests in digital marketing
Stapleton’s has worked with Nottingham-based digital marketing agency, Adtrak, to “improve the brand’s digital presence, create a more efficient tyre booking system, and expand its audience reach.” Specifically this means Adtrak has developed a new corporate site, refreshed branding and brand guidelines, new stationery and promotional folders as well as making a new social media presence and strategy.
Bridgestone enlarging its Central Europe operation
As of 1 July, Bridgestone Europe’s Central Europe region will grow to include the four countries currently grouped as the Nordic region. Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden will join Austria, Germany in Switzerland in the enlarged regional operation.
Aiming for performance beyond current expectations – Triangle’s latest tyres for Europe
Key products in Triangle Tyre’s new generation range for Europe came to market in the last quarter, and Triangle sees their introduction as something of a brand relaunch within the region. The arrival of these new tyre lines is accompanied by a rebooting of how Triangle presents its range as well as the promise of […]
Court confirms sentences for misappropriation of Nokian Tyres’ business secrets
The sentencing of nine former Nokian Tyres employees for the misappropriation of business secrets has been welcomed by both the tyre maker and by Black Donuts Engineering – albeit for different reasons. Both parties now look forward to progressing beyond the case, which has been ongoing since 2011.