Western European auto industry heads for 'double-dip'
A report from the global business advisory firm AlixPartners says that, while the global automotive industry overall remains a growth industry, the Western European industry is facing the prospect of its second severe market downturn in recent years.
Continue ReadingMichelin asks tyre chains how they’ll deal with TPMS
Michelin reports that it has written to ATS Euromaster, Kwik Fit and National Tyres to ask how the three largest tyre retailers in the UK will deal with the introduction of Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). According to the company, the move was prompted by concerns raised by Michelin’s Fleet Panel. Panel members, who represent some of the biggest leasing companies in the UK, shared their views on the introduction of TPMS at a recent meeting and several said they do not believe they have been given enough information about the equipment which will be fitted to all new models of car from November this year.
Continue ReadingReifen first-timer Eversafe Rubber aiming for greater European presence
Although Eversafe Rubber has been producing retreading products for more than three decades now, this year was the Malaysian company’s first time exhibiting at Reifen Essen. During the show Tyres & Accessories spoke with export manager Eu Hong Lim, who shared that business had been good for Eversafe Rubber during the show. “Reifen is the most prominent, important tyre show in the world,” he commented. “This is our first time exhibiting in Essen; we chose to attend as an exhibitor this year as we want to start expanding our presence in Europe. Reifen also gives us an opportunity to meet old friends and customers.”
Continue Reading3p fuel duty increase frozen
George Osborne scrapped a 3p rise in fuel duty yesterday in yet another Budget U-turn. The Chancellor said the decision, which has generally been greeted with delight by motoring groups, reflected the “very difficult economic times.” An earlier duty rise in January had previously been axed and the latest freeze reportedly knocks £2.10 off the cost of filling up a typical family car, according to the Daily Mail.
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Tyre-based protest goes awkwardly wrong
Nothing makes a statement like sliding through a tyre. This was perhaps the logic employed by two men protesting against garbage problems in the Indian city of Thiruvananthapuram. The Hindu newspaper reports that the two-middle aged men ended up spending an “agonising hour” trapped inside a tyre after their “ill-conceived” acrobatic street demonstration went awry. What the pair attempted, it must be said, should not be tried at home.
Continue ReadingMichelin opens Stoke factory to schoolchildren
Young people considering their future career options are to get an insight into manufacturing as Michelin hosts two tours of its Stoke factory as part of a national Government apprenticeship drive. The site tour is part of a Government initiative called See Inside Manufacturing. Originally launched last year by Business Secretary, Dr Vince Cable, the initiative is designed to deliver an additional 250,000 apprenticeships in the UK.
Continue ReadingAlfred Graham elected ITMA President
The Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA) has elected Alfred Graham as president with immediate effect. Graham previously held the position of association treasurer for the last eight years and succeeds David Seward who stood down as president at the end of his two-year term.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg inaugurates Chinese agri tyre plant
Today the Trelleborg Group inaugurated its new agricultural tyre factory in China. The plant, which is located in Xingtai, Hebei Province, is set up for the manufacture of both radial and cross-ply tyres for farming, forestry and agro-industrial applications. It will serve the needs of Trelleborg’s partners by providing local supply to their Chinese facilities, and just as importantly, to local manufacturers.
Continue ReadingExtra tyre set brings GP2 strategy even closer to F1
Since its inception in 2005, the main goal of the GP2 Series has been to prepare young drivers for what is arguably the pinnacle of motorsport – Formula 1. And Pirelli says tyre management has always played a key role in helping GP2 drivers to step into F1 easily and be competitive quickly.
Continue ReadingJoint winners for 2012 TyreSafe achievement award
At the recent Tyre Recovery Association annual dinner, held at the Ardencote Hotel, Warwickshire, TyreSafe honoured the winners of its outstanding achievement accolade for 2012. Chris Downes from Chandlers BMW and Phil Barrow from Sussex Police were present to receive the award on behalf of their respective organisations. The award announcement came hot on the heels of news that Sussex Police has signed up as an official TyreSafe supporter.
Continue ReadingMicheldever staff get on their bikes for charity
Over 50 staff from Micheldever Tyre Services, led by CEO Paul Fox, took part in the British Heart Foundation London to Brighton cycle ride on Sunday 17th June and raised an impressive £15,000 for this important charity. All bar two of the Micheldever team made it successfully to the finish over the gruelling 55 mile course which starts at Clapham Common, South London, and finishes on Madeira Drive, Brighton, which eight miles after the demanding climb of Ditchling Beacon is a welcome relief. Whilst some of the riders were experienced racers others were novices on their first organised ride, which made it all the more notable.
Continue ReadingHigh prices and low costs benefit manufacturers
High sales prices matched with lower input costs are combining to the benefit of tyre manufacturers. A report from Deutsche Bank analysts notes that, despite weak tyre volumes in the European replacement markets (-10 per cent in passenger tyres, -30 per cent in truck tyres) tyre companies are benefitting from a strong pricing effect (+4 per cent to +5 per cent) and from low raw material prices.
Continue ReadingAl Dobowi sponsors golfing star of the future
The Al Dobowi Group has announced that it is to sponsor Virginia Espejo; a 23-year old rising star in the sport of golf. The company says that it was impressed by the potential of Virginia, who immediately became hooked on golf after starting to play alongside her father at the age of twelve.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Americas appoints new CIO
Bridgestone Americas recently announced that Tim Walsh, who previously served as Bridgestone Americas corporate controller, has been named chief information officer for the company. Walsh will be responsible for overall leadership of Bridgestone’s IT function, including making enhancements to the company’s IT organisation and overseeing strategy and implementation to ensure efficient delivery of IT services.
Continue ReadingMultistrada to form industrial estate subsidiary
The Jakarta Globe reports that Multistrada Arah Sarana intends to diversify into industrial real estate. The tyre maker is believed to be making this move in response to alleged Indonesian government plans requiring all manufacturers to relocate to industrial estates before December 2012. Company president Pieter Tanuri said the new subsidiary will be called Kawasan Industri Multistrada and will build an industrial estate on 210 hectares of land near Jakarta. While Tanuri has not disclosed the level of investment Multistrada is making in the project, the company president said he expects construction to be complete by December 2014.
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