Kwik Fit expanding into Italy, across Europe
The Kwik Fit Group has agreed a partnership deal that sees the Kwik Fit tyre retail and fast-fit brand expand into Italy. Under the terms of the agreement, 200 centres are set to open over the next decade. The expansion is based on a franchise agreement with CDG-ONE, part of Segema S.p.A., a leading tyre distribution group in Italy. Segema imports and distributes Yokohama tyres in Italy through Yokohama Italia S.p.A. and GiTi Tyres through Magri Gomme S.p.A.
Continue ReadingKobe Steel opens tyre and rubber machinery firm in China
In April Kobe Steel, Ltd. will open a company in China to sell tyre and rubber machinery and provide after-sales service. Kobelco Machinery System Engineering Qingdao Co., Ltd. (or KMQ), based in Qingdao, Shangdong Province will supply rubber mixers, twin screw roller head extruders and tyre testing machines used in the manufacture of tyres for cars, construction equipment and other rubber products. Kobe Steel has invested 2 million yuan (about 40 million yen; £216,000) in KMQ.
Continue ReadingKirkby Tyres appointed Maxam distributor in UK and Ireland
Maxam Tire International has appointed Liverpool-based Kirkby Tyres as UK & Ireland OTR distributor with immediate effect. According to the company, the appointment is an indirect consequence of a wide-ranging Maxam strategic review – which also resulted in the relocation of its global headquarters to Birmingham and the appointment of Martin West as managing director.
Continue ReadingPirelli truck tyres separating and merging with Aeolus/ChemChina
Pirelli’s Chinese owner ChemChina has officially entered into negotiations relating to the separating out the Italian firm’s truck tyre business in order to combine it with Aeolus and the three other ChemChina-owned tyre businesses.
Continue ReadingPirelli previews latest P Zero tyre in Geneva
Of all the tyres fitted to prestige vehicles at the Geneva Motor Show, 51 per cent were made by Pirelli. Pirelli’s premium vehicle share at the show was 32 per cent. According to Pirelli general manager, operations, Gregorio Borgo the Geneva shares are pretty much the same as Pirelli’s real-world market share. Now consider the fact that registration of prestige marques (the most exclusives brands) have increased seven-fold since 2000. During the same period, the registrations of premium marques have tripled. Meanwhile, general market registrations are only 1.5 times greater than they were at the turn of the millennium. With this in mind, you can see why Pirelli was keen to preview its latest P Zero tyre in the context of the Geneva motor show and why the company is emphasising so-called “marked tyres” more than ever.
Continue ReadingMitas showing new CR-02 crane tyre at Bauma
Mitas has announced it will unveil its new 445/95R25 CR-02 mobile crane tyre in a world premiere on stand 127 of hall A6 at Bauma. According to the company, the Mitas CR-02 is a new tread design that extends the current range of CR-01 crane tyres. Mitas CR-02 has improved operating efficiency thanks to its lighter construction. It is also possible to mount CR-02 tyres on a one-piece rim, which reduces the overall weight of the mobile crane. These improvements are said to have a positive impact on fuel consumption.
Continue ReadingEuropean car registrations – the NFDA response
“The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) is encouraged by the continued increase of passenger car registrations in the EU marking the 30th consecutive month of growth”, said Sue Robinson, director of the NFDA, commenting on figures published by ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association). The NFDA represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK.
Continue ReadingWhen it comes to tyre testing, where’s the line?
Last month, talk of tyre testing irregularities came to the fore following Nokian’s admissions of “mistakes” in this area. In the April edition of Tyres & Accessories we follow up on this story in some detail with a survey of leading manufacturers’ responses to the issue of the day and an exclusive interview with Nokian president and CEO Ari Lehtoranta. While the detailed views of the world’s leading tyre makers are many and varied, they are all unified in their denials of any underhand behaviour relating to magazine and association tyre testing (see Top tyre manufacturers deny involvement in tyre test manipulation for the full story). And yet Nokian’s Lehtoranta has clearly pointed the finger at the broader industry on a number of occasions in the past – and apparently is continuing to do so.
Continue ReadingGM names Bridgestone a Supplier of the Year
On 10 March, General Motors held its 24th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony in the company’s headquarters city of Detroit, recognising 110 suppliers from 17 countries, including Bridgestone. It was the 14th occasion that Bridgestone Corporation has been designated a GM Supplier of the Year since the vehicle manufacturer inaugurated the award in 1992.
Continue ReadingWang Feng resigns as Aeolus Tyre chairman
Aeolus Tyre Co. Ltd. has reported the resignation of its chairman Wang Feng. In a Chinese-language statement issued on 15 March, the tyre maker shared that Mr Wang has resigned due to “job changes.”
Continue ReadingKenda Tires embarks on Serie A advertising campaign
Kenda Tires will be promoting its brand on LED perimeter boards within the stadiums of leading Italian Serie A football teams Fiorentina, Lazio Rome, Sampdoria Genua, Udinese Calcio and CFC Genua. According to the contract with Serie A marketer Infront, Kendas advertising will be displayed on all four sides of the playing field. Advertising in Italys top league is expected to allow Kenda to reach not only the fans attending the matches, but also millions of TV viewers via SKY Italia Go, Mediaset Premium, and Italys biggest club channel, the Juventus channel.
Continue ReadingDriveRight offers caliper profile data
DriveRight is promoting its database of CAD drawings and other brake caliper data for all the latest models and post-production vehicles. According to the company, the system, which is pitched at wheel manufacturers amongst others, covers “almost all vehicles”.
Continue ReadingJust Easy Tools returns to Essen with new products
Two years ago Just Easy Tools - a Danish manufacturer and inventor of tyre manipulators and wheel service Equipment - introduced a special three-point gripping mechanism for safe and effective tyre handling during Reifen 2014. The company returns for the 2016 show and gave Tyres & Accessories this interview with Just Easy Tools CEO, Lars Jorgensen.
Continue ReadingNATRE announces education conference programme
The North American Tire & Retread Expo is being held in New Orleans from 19 to 21 April. An education conference is being held alongside the exhibition in the mornings and the organisers have just revealed the programme schedule.
Continue ReadingKBT Tyres new official Magna Tyres partner
On 3 March Magna Tyres announced that Kevin Burke, managing director of KBT Tyres in Athenry, Ireland signed a partnership agreement for the distribution of Magna Tyres and MTP Tyres in Ireland.
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