Vacu-Lug manufacturing investment, contracts a way forward in contracted UK market
Vacu-Lug’s stand at the recent Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham provided a summary of the tripartite business of one of the UK’s largest retreaders. Featuring its Vacu-Lug Management System (VMS) for online fleet application; its UK exclusive distribution of ZC Rubber’s (or Hangzhou Zhongce’s) Westlake truck tyre product range. in partnership with global Westlake partner Zenises; and Vacu-Lug’s own retread range – including the latest “premium” Logistik drive LD01 and the Logistik trailer LT01 retreads, and Duramold tyres designed for a cross-section of heavy and light truck operations – the company showed its relatively recent evolution into more rounded service provision. In terms of its retreading activities, estimated by the company to account for just under a fifth of the UK market, the last year saw upgrades to the Lincolnshire business’ manufacturing, with a second 12-segment, high pressure (300psi) press installed, with which its Logistik brand products are produced, alongside further phases of its new conveyor system and other general upgrades designed to improve product flow, utilisation, productivity, efficiency, and housekeeping. Tyres & Accessories spoke with Vacu-Lug fleet sales director, Dave Alsop during the show, who explained how the company has reacted to the contraction of UK retreading and various other challenges in the market.
Continue ReadingTitan Steel Wheels: a market leader from the English countryside
The small village of Cookely, near Kidderminster, in the rolling Worcestershire countryside isn’t necessarily where you would expect to find a leading manufacturer, but this is exactly where leading OTR wheel supplier to the yellow goods market, Titan Steel Wheels, is based. The subsidiary of Titan International distributes its niche products mainly into Europe, meeting the specifications of end-users in the construction, industrial, mining and agricultural sectors with a wide variety of part numbers, largely comprising three- and five-piece wheels. Tyres & Accessories visited the facility, where Titan Europe managing director, wheels division, Chris Akers talked us through the history of the site, Titan’s current activities and future plans.
Continue ReadingDriveRightData expands in South America
DriveRightData has established a new sales office in South America as part of its global expansion plan. This year, the company has embarked on a global expansion plan that has seen headquarters established in Los Angeles and South Korea. Last year the company established a base at Mira Technology Park in Nuneaton in Warwickshire, United Kingdom.
Continue ReadingProduction relocated following Wegmann Automotive’s acquisition of Remog
Eagle-eyed visitors to Reifen 2016 may have noticed that the Remog stand was staffed by Wegmann Automotive employees. In response to questions from Tyres & Accessories regarding the Wegmann Automotive presence, the German company confirmed it acquired its Italian competitor last autumn. Managing director Thorsten Thom states that the Italian balancing weights manufacturer, which was established in 1964, will continue to “operate independently within the market” and retain its headquarters in Rezzato. He stresses that Remog’s acquisition by Wegmann Automotive won’t affect customers in any way. Some changes, however, have taken place.
Continue ReadingBrexit, export and the tyre wholesale trade
Reflecting on the Brexit news, prompts us to think about the part of the tyre trade the does business the most regularly on the continent - the wholesale sector. But first, lets take a look at the car trade by way of a proxy. Following the Brexit nes, he National Franchised Dealers Association, which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle dealers in the UK, considered the impact on trading, with Sue Robinson, director of the NFDA saying:
Continue ReadingBrexit leaves Britain under-skilled
Daniel Kirkpatrick, Team Manager for Automotive at JAM Recruitment commented on how the Brexit vote could impact human resources in the automotive sector, suggesting Brexit will leave Britain under-skilled.
Continue ReadingConti CEO: Brexit vote “very worrying”
Leading tyre manufacturers have begun offering their responses to the UK electorate’s decision to leave the EU. Describing the trajectory of the Brexit vote as “very worrying”, Continental AG CEO Dr Elmer Degenhart commented: “Taking the pan-European context into account the vote is very worrying. ‘Everyone on his own’ does not fit the idea behind the formation of the EU and cannot be the answer to the challenges of the global competition with America and Asia.” However, Degenhart does not expect big problems for Continental itself: “The direct economic impact on Continental is expected to be limited because currently we generate less than 3 per cent of our sales in the UK and expect to be successful in this market also in the future.”
Continue ReadingWAI updates website to reflect new branding
WAIglobal has launched a new website in line with its brand rejuvenation, designed to offer customers exclusive access to the latest products available from the auto electrical specialist.
Continue ReadingToyo supports sustainable natural rubber economy initiative
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. is participating in the Sustainable Natural Rubber Initiative (SNR-i), an effort put forward by the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) to ensure the sustainability of natural rubber as a resource.
Continue ReadingLandsail refreshes brand identity
Landsail Tyres has refreshed its brand, targeting both the trade and public. The brand is seeking consolidation having become a high-selling brand in the UK market; it states the brand identity will “re-affirm Landsail’s position… by showcasing [its] exceptional value for money.” The brand, produced by China’s Sentury Tire, has grown quickly, with a range spanning over 250 sizes, most recently including Landsail’s first venture into the all-season market, offering comprehensive coverage for the UK market, in which sales are thought to have reached 1.2 million. Landsail itself states that it supplies “one in every 25 tyres sold in the UK.”
Continue ReadingTyreSafe issues advice to scooter commuters
This week, with more commuter-sized motorcycles and scooters being sold than ever before, TyreSafe has unveiled dedicated materials to help keep riders safe on their daily travels. Launched to coincide with the Motorcycle Industry Association’s (MCIA) Ride to Work Week, the potentially life-saving advice for scooter commuters includes choosing the right tyre, essential routine maintenance and understanding when a replacement should be fitted.
Continue ReadingLinglong IPO attracts 2000x more interest than offer
On 21 June Shandong Linglong Tyre Co Ltd announced it would issue 200 million shares of common stock at 12.98 yuan per share as part of its initial public offering (IPO) on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. At the time, the company said it expected to raise roughly 2.60 billion yuan, which various news sources suggest is intended to fund investment in new tyre production lines.
Continue ReadingEnno Straten takes over as MD of Continental CST
Effective 1 July 2016, Enno Straten has been appointed managing director of Continental’s Commercial Specialty Tires (CST) business unit. He succeeds Dr. Michael Märtens who left the company last year to concentrate on other projects outside the industry. Straten, who has worked at Continental for 17 years, will report directly to Dr. Andreas Esser, executive vice president of Continental Commercial Vehicle Tires.
Continue ReadingPirelli signs new FIA Action for Road Safety campaign agreement
The FIA and Pirelli have signed a new four-year agreement in support of the FIA’s Action for Road Safety campaign. As a global partner of the campaign, Pirelli will promote the FIA’s ‘10 Golden Rules’ for road safety through all of its networks. Pirelli will also organise training programmes, as well as projects to raise awareness on safe driving, in collaboration with a selection of FIA Member Clubs.
Continue ReadingNew Falken app offers virtual reality look inside motorsport team
A new app from Falken will offer customers and fans the opportunity to experience its motorsport activity from a new angle. A virtual reality video shot using a 360-degree camera inside the Falken Motorsport Porsche GT3 R (Type 991) will allow viewers using head-mounted displays (HMD) to sit in as co-driver on a virtual spin around the Nürburgring as well as a pit-stop and tyre change. The app also provides useful information, including a Falken dealer search and a brand video.
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