Transense signs Saudi Arabia deal
Shares in Transense Technologies rose on Friday 15 June after the sensor systems maker announced its trading division secured a strategic distribution deal with a Saudi group. The group told investors that its IntelliSAW business, a provider of wireless sensor systems for smart grid applications, has entered into a strategic distribution agreement with the energy projects and services division of Saudi Arabia’s Al Mashariq Trading and Contracting Co. The company also makes systems and tools for use in tyre TPMS and RFID applications.
Continue ReadingGoodyear acquisition, investment to support Asia-Pacific OTR growth
Earlier this month, Goodyear Tire & Rubber announced it now holds 100 per cent ownership of its Nippon Giant Tire (NGT) subsidiary in Tatsuno, Japan. The tyre maker has been the majority shareholder in NGT since 1985 and purchased the shares owned by its joint venture partners, Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corporation, for an undisclosed amount. Goodyear now plans to invest US$250 million to upgrade and expand NGT’s tyre manufacturing facility in order to increase its global supply of OTR tyres for key customers.
Continue ReadingHeuver expanding Aeolus portfolio in 2012
At this year’s Reifen show in Germany, Heuver Tyrewholesale revealed it will soon begin selling Aeolus passenger car tyres in the European markets where it currently supplies the Chinese manufacturer’s OTR and truck tyres. According to Heuver marketing manager Maureen Voortman, the Aeolus passenger range consists of three different product lines and will be launched in Europe in late 2012. “They’re good tyres,” she commented to Tyres & Accessories during Reifen 2012. “You have ‘A’ brands, and now you have Aeolus.”
Continue ReadingCheng Shin considering India plant
According to Taiwan’s national news agency, local tyre maker Cheng Shin Rubber has voiced interest in establishing a factory in India. The Central News Agency reported Cheng Shin president Chen Yun-hwa as saying demand from emerging economies, including India, remains strong despite escalating debt problems in the eurozone, and therefore the company may set up a plant in order to tap into the fast-growing Indian market.
Continue ReadingUpdated ViaMichelin site launched
Using input drawn from users, Michelin has updated its ViaMichelin website. The French manufacturer reports that the new site – which is also available for mobile devices with the free ViaMichelin Mobile application – features completely reworked ergonomics that make it easier to use. Michelin describes the most important additions to the new version as being a map on the home page that is geo-positioned to the user’s last search, highly visible itinerary options, unique data-entry fields and, for users in France, the integration of traffic conditions when calculating travel time.
Continue ReadingAdditional investment for Bridgestone Americas agricultural plant
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has earmarked a further US$74 million for capacity expansion at its Des Moines, Iowa agricultural tyre plant. This latest investment at the tyre maker’s main North American agricultural tyre facility follows a $77 million investment announced in March 2010; Bridgestone says the two projects confirm its “commitment to maintaining its leadership position in the agricultural tyre industry” and will help the plant meet growing demand for tyres that provide better traction and an increased footprint.
Continue ReadingCam launching new Online Tyre Catalogue system
Cam Systems has announced plans to launch a new Online Tyre Catalogue (OTC) to provide the UK tyre industry with a central data hub to address the needs of EU legislation. OEMs and Importers will be able to upload their product data updates into the OTC from 1 July 2012.
Continue ReadingTyre Bay Direct and Think Smart offer new leasing option
Tyre Bay Direct has teamed up with Think Smart to offer new tyre equipment leasing concept. Rent Smart has been available through Curry’s and Dixons for many years but Tyre Bay Direct are reportedly the first people to bring it into the Garage Equipment market.
Continue ReadingAnother contract for ATS Euromaster
Van rental specialist Hiregate Vehicle Rental has appointed ATS Euromaster as its tyre service provider. Hiregate specified a company with commercial vehicle expertise and a national branch network to provide comprehensive support to customers. Hiregate was established in 2011 and added 1,000 light commercials to its books in the first 12 months. Today the fleet numbers more than 1,500 vehicles, ranging from compact city vans to high roof, long wheelbase models, plus chassis cabs mounted with box, tipper, Luton and dropsied bodies. The company is still poised for growth, having the stated aim of growing its fleet to 3,000+ vehicles by the end of the year. Although an independent company, Hiregate has been set up on the back of the established Dawson Group operation, allowing it to utilse the 24 existing Dawson Group sites across the UK to provide customers with a nationwide rental network.
Continue ReadingBridgestone ‘encouraged’ by top car tyre pence per mile
Bridgestone has called for context to be taken into consideration in response to Michelin’s decision to release fleet car tyre wear data that pointed to its tyres lasting the longest. For its part Bridgestone has added further detail, which the company believes shows that its tyres offer the best pence per mile. The tyre manufacturer came to this conclusion by taking Michelin’s own mileage figures and factoring in third party sell-out pricing data produced by Encircle marketing. According to this calculation, when mileages are divided by the initial purchase cost Bridgestone tyres come out on top.
Continue ReadingEuropean car registrations fall again
Figures released by ACEA, the European association of automobile manufacturers, show that, in May, demand for new passenger cars in the EU was down (-8.7 per cent) for the eighth consecutive month. In total, 1,106,845 new cars were recorded in the region. May 2012 counted on average one working day less than May 2011.
Continue ReadingTyre volumes still declining
Tyre volumes are still declining around the world despite gains in the North American markets, which reportedly reflect improvements in demand but come from a low base. The news is derived from Michelin’s sell-in market data, which the global tyre giant publishes on a monthly basis.
Continue ReadingConsultation begins on fixed-penalty fine for careless driving
Careless drivers will be targeted under new proposals announced for consultation by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning. The proposals would make fixed penalty notices available for careless driving, giving the police greater flexibility in dealing with less serious careless driving offences and freeing them from resource intensive enforcement processes. The fixed penalty will also enable the police to offer educational training as an alternative to endorsement. Drivers would still be able to appeal any decision in court.
Continue ReadingCarry on flashing…
The actions by Lancashire Police in fining drivers for flashing their headlights to warn of a speed trap are in direct contravention of a landmark legal decision in 2006, says the Association of Briitish Drivers (ABD).
Continue ReadingUK company to produce fuel from organic waste
Gazasia, a UK company that develops waste-derived biofuels, is to begin operations in the Philippines to develop a vehicle fuel made from organic waste products in landfill. The company creates liquid biomethane - a carbon-neutral, sustainable and high-quality vehicle fuel – by cleaning and refining the natural gas produced by organic waste found in landfill sites.
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