Hankook acknowledges employees’ long service
Hankook recently celebrated the long service of a number of its employees at the company’s UK head office in Daventry, Northamptonshire. Barrie Horrocks, Hankook UK sales director and Ian Mayoll, UK PCR sales manager were both recognised for their 10 years service at Hankook Tyre UK Ltd. They were joined by several other members of the Hankook team as Tracy Martin (accounts assistant), Liz Coles (credit controller), Ben Francis (franchise manager) and Paul Field (logistics administrator) were also congratulated for their dedication.
Continue ReadingNDI appoints TRS Tyre and Wheel Ltd as New Zealand distributor
Nordisk Dæk Import A/S (NDI) has appointed New Zealand’s TRS Tyre and Wheel Ltd as its AP+ Dual Wheels distributor in the region. The decision took effect in May 2012. According to NDI, the company’s AP+ Dual Wheels are a “resounding success” in many other countries worldwide as well as well as the home Danish market.
Continue ReadingPoint S UK reflects on successful 2011, seeks new members
Over 70 Point S UK members, staff and suppliers gathered in Solihull yesterday to reflect on the independent retail network’s development in 2011 and plans for 2012. At the end of 2011 Point S UK had 45 members and 125 points of sale. And although the group opted to slow down additions to its membership in order to ensure high standards, this is still ahead of initial goals of 100 plus points of sale within two years of the network’s inception. That said the group is now revving up its membership once again, with ambitious targets and plans for national coverage. Looking around the mini-exhibition hall next door to the conference presentations you can see that that Point S UK is still growing and gaining influence in the market.
Continue ReadingEuro car registrations continue to drop
April 2012 passenger car registrations in the European Union hit ten-year lows according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. There was a decline overall in the Union of 6.9 per cent in comparison with April 2011, itself a decade-long low – a fair comparison, given that there were the same number of working days in each month. The UK and Germany bucked the trend, posting modest growth in April at 3.3 and 2.9 per cent respectively.
Continue ReadingTyreSafe launches labelling materials at industry briefing
Industry safety body, TyreSafe launched its tyre labelling educational material ahead of the scheme’s 1 July voluntary introduction at its latest briefing on 3 May. The event was called the biggest and most successful industry briefing since the organisation started them last year, with more than 170 delegates attending and participating.
Continue ReadingLassa sponsoring V1 Challenge
Lassa Tyres has become tyre sponsor for the V1 Challenge Moldova – a series held in a number of cities and run using Volkicars, a race car developed by Turkish racing driver Volkan Işık. And while Lassa’s sponsorship deal is new, the tyre maker can claim a further connection of sorts to the V1 Challenge – the series was developed by Işık, who led the Lassa Rally Team from 2007 to 2010.
Continue ReadingMichelin expands CerexBib line-up
Two new sizes have joined Michelin’s CerexBib agricultural tyre range, and the French manufacturer says these additions will address the “emerging needs of entrepreneurs, farmers and grain producers.” The latest CerexBib fitments are IF 800/70 R 38 CFO and IF 900/60 R 38 CFO, and Michelin says these new large-diameter tyres give farmers the option to operate without investing in costly four-wheel-drive or caterpillar tread equipment. The two new sizes have already been approved by John Deere, Case, New Holland, Claas and Laverda and fitted on their harvesters for the new season.
Continue ReadingWheel companies rolling in for 2012 SEMA
SEMA Show organisers have announced that around 150 wheel manufacturers have already signed on to exhibit at the upcoming 2012 SEMA Show/Global Tire Expo, Tire Review reports. “We’re pleased to see so many wheel companies joining us at the 2012 SEMA Show,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of events and communications. "Wheels are such an integral product in our industry, and the fact that so many exhibitors have confirmed their participation this early in the year is exciting.” The show will be held between 30 October and 2 November at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Continue ReadingFirst overseas Pro-Align award winner announced
Fastlane Ltd in Malta has been awarded Pro-Align’s Alignment Centre of the Month for April – the first time the accolade has been awarded outside of the UK. Paul Beaurain, managing director, Pro-Align, said: “Fastlane is resolute about being the alignment specialist in Malta and continues to work hard to expand its business. They are incredibly enthusiastic in everything they do and are a worthy winner of our April award.”
Continue ReadingPirelli, Dmack, Kumho, Dunlop to supply British Historic Rally
Pirelli, Kumho and Dmack have announced that they will supply tyres to the 2013 MSA British Historic Rally Championship, following the competition’s move to an open choice era. Dunlop, the supplier to the UK’s premier historic rally series for the past four years will continue to make its tyres available to the championship, which takes in both gravel and asphalt events across the country. The championship features old-school rally machinery dating from the 1950s to the 1980s. “We firmly believe this is the right time to open up the tyre supply situation,” said championship manager Simon Marks. “More tyre manufacturers are now in a position to supply the historic market and our competitors will now be able to choose between four excellent suppliers.”
Continue ReadingInfinity, Bond sponsor Dante Festival opener at York
Infinity Tyres and its UK distributor, Bond International will sponsor the inaugural race of the 2012 Dante Festival at York Racecourse on Wednesday 16 May. Infinity was involved at York Races last May too, becoming the title sponsor of that year’s Infinity Tyres Stakes Handicap. Once again, the prize money of £20,000 has attracted a strong line-up of riders.
Continue ReadingGT Radial launches truck retread at “successful” CV Show
GT Radial launched its new truck products the GSR220 steer tyre and the GDL617 drive tyre from its stand at the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show at the Birmingham NEC, but it was the company’s Ree Tread tyre – its first commercial retread tyre – that commanded much attention from visitors to the stand. The company said that the show had been “a real success”, with over 30 high-quality leads, including a large number of senior national and European key fleet contacts, gained from its participation.
Continue ReadingBridgestone provides asymmetric MotoGP tyre for Le Mans
Bridgestone is at Le Mans this weekend for the fourth round of the 2012 season, where it will provide an asymmetric rear tyre to deal with the demands of the circuit’s emphasis on right-hand turns. Hiroshi Yamada, manager at Bridgestone’s Motorsport Department, said: “Le Mans is a special place to visit with the large crowds and history of the venue combining to create a unique atmosphere and over the years the French GP has provided some very challenging races due to the poor weather conditions encountered at this time of year.
Continue ReadingNew Ecsta Le Sport – designed for top European marques
Kumho’s new Ecsta LE Sport KU39 is an asymmetric ultra high performance tyre designed for Europe’s top car marques; the manufacturer reports the tyre was developed using the latest KADAS prediction tools and on Europe’s most demanding test tracks. The Y speed rated product’s key selling points are its enhanced performance, braking in wet conditions and controlled ride and refinement. Kumho says its high grip tread compound ensures maximum traction and braking performance, while its specially designed casing provides impressive high speed stability.
Continue ReadingDurability, response and grip from Maxxis’ high performers
When it comes to performance, Maxxis says you can rely on its tyres to deliver enhanced grip, improved tread wear, responsive handling and more miles per gallon. The current Maxxis performance range includes the top-selling MAZ1, the all-season MAZ4S and the new PRO R1.
Continue Reading