Parts Alliance members claim aftermarket awards
UK aftermarket business group The Parts Alliance has won three awards at the annual Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation Excellence Awards, held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel on 8 December. IAAF president Nick Best presented the evening’s awards, honouring excellence in the aftermarket. Parts Alliance member Mill Autoquip won Distributor of the Year; Matthew Warren of CES (UK) received the coveted Parts Person of the Year award, and Alliance Autocentre member D & D Autos won the Garage of the Year award.
Continue ReadingBridgestone seeks tax break for US plant
Bridgestone Americas appears to be seeking a five-year tax break as an incentive for it to make a planned US$20 million capital investment at its OTR tyre plant in Bloomington, Illinois, reports Tire Review. A proposal before local authorities would see property tax on the plant locked into its current rate for five years, even when the tyre maker makes improvements to the facility – Bridgestone intends to add plant equipment that would enable the manufacture of 25-inch OTR radials in Bloomington.
Continue ReadingGoodyear OE on ‘Super Bee’
Goodyear has given word that its Eagle F1 Supercar has been selected as original equipment on the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee, which will begin arriving at dealers in the US early next year. In announcing the tyre’s supply, Goodyear commented that the “ultra-performance tread compound on Goodyear's Eagle F1 Supercar tyre helps provide exceptional dry traction and cornering grip to the 470-horsepower automobile.” Goodyear has not given specifics on tyre dimensions.
Continue Reading12% of Michelin’s Thailand dealers still shut after flooding
Earlier in the week Goodyear warned of potential aviation tyre shortages due to flooding in Thailand knocking its plant there out of action; it appears Goodyear is not the only tyre maker suffering as a result of the flooding. The Bangkok Post reports that Michelin dealers in flood-affected areas – 12 per cent of the more than 400 dealers nationwide – have ceased operating, and this is expected to be seen in the tyre maker’s Thailand sales figures this year.
Continue ReadingHankook OE on Toyota iQ
Hankook Tire America reports its selection as an original equipment fitment on Toyota’s iQ micro car, the company’s first deal with the Japanese car maker. Hankook Tire says that after “successfully satisfied Toyota's testing, tuning and customising process criterion” it will supply size 175/65R15 84S for the iQ; the tyre maker has not specified which specific Hankook tyre range will be fitted to the Toyota.
Continue ReadingCooper appoints new Board member
Cooper Tire & Rubber has appointed Cynthia A. Niekamp to the company’s Board of Directors. Niekamp is senior vice-president of PPG Industries’ automotive OEM coatings business, a position she has held since 2010. She joined PPG in 2009 as vice-president of the automotive OEM coatings business.
Continue ReadingLabel ignorance prompts ATS Euromaster to launch info site
ATS Euromaster has launched a new section on its website dedicated to informing motorists about the European tyre label. The Michelin-owned fast fit chain decided to publish this information following an evaluation of an online survey it conducted, which showed up widespread unawareness of the label.
Continue ReadingTyre survey reveals ‘casual’ attitude
According to a UK-based vehicle hire website, 14.6 per cent of British motorists admit retaining the tyres on their cars until they fail the MoT or are flagged as illegal during vehicle servicing. The website, VanRental.co.uk, did not specify the size or makeup of the survey group, however founder Roland Head states the results “highlight the casual attitude taken by many motorists towards tyre safety.”
Continue ReadingDesser Tire wins General Atomics Aeronautical contract
Desser Tire & Rubber Co., Inc. has been awarded a contract by General Atomics Aeronautical for warehousing and “in time” supply of aircraft tyres and tubes used in OEM Production and the US Military. The two year agreement valued at over $1 million per year encompasses supply of Desser OEM branded products as well as Dunlop and Goodyear aircraft tyres.
Continue ReadingUpdated HiQ website goes live
Fast fit network HiQ has launched its new-look website, and it says the improved hiqonline.co.uk site offers more than just a pretty face. In addition to a number of tried and true features retained from the previous site, HiQ says the new site offers users a number of useful tools, including a tyre pressure reminder, ratings and reviews of local HiQ centres, information about the latest promotions as well as printable tyre guides. The site also features a section where customers can leave feedback about their local HiQ experience.
Continue ReadingStema wins tyre plant upgrade contract
A collaboration between Italian engineering company Stema Service Srl and Control Techniques Italy has resulted in a substantial contract with one of Italy’s “leading tyre manufacturing groups.” According to the companies, the project, with Unidrive SP AC drives used throughout, has produced energy savings, increased production and resulted in a reduction in maintenance costs.
Continue ReadingLay-offs may last 12 months, Nokian confirms
In November, Nokian Tyres reported weakening demand for its heavy tyres and its intention to scale back production. Following statutory negotiations, which ended on 12 December, Nokian Heavy Tyres Ltd confirmed it will alter the main working pattern for heavy tyre production to a discontinued five-day, three-shift model and temporarily lay off employees. Around 260 employees will be laid off for a maximum of 12 months, with lay-offs taking place during 2012 and the duration for each employee decided upon according to their work tasks and the development of order intake over the course of the year.
Continue ReadingUnipart buys Rapid Car Parts Limited
Joint administrators, David Baxendale, Rob Hunt and Chris Pillar of PwC have confirmed the sale of the business and assets of Rapid Car Parts Limited to Unipart Automotive Limited. Based in the South East, Rapid Car Parts is one of the UK's largest distributors of automotive parts and accessories and went into administration on 7 December 2011 following difficult trading conditions and significant cash pressure. Unipart have acquired the remaining five branches including the distribution centre based in Watford. The sale price was not disclosed.
Continue ReadingConti breaks ground on China bike tyre plant
The passenger car tyre plant inaugurated in May is not Continental’s only tyre factory planned for the Chinese city of Hefei; on 9 December the company broke ground on a two-wheel tyre facility there. The factory, which will mainly manufacture mountain and racing bicycle tyres for China and Asia, is expected to enter service in December 2012. According to Constantin Batsch, head of Continental's Two Wheel Tyre business group, initial production capacity should be 1.7 million units per annum.
Continue ReadingTyre firm leaders to speak at World Rubber Summit 2012
More than 25 CEOs and business leaders from the rubber and associated sectors are expected to speak at next year’s World Rubber Summit, including representatives from Bridgestone, Goodyear, Lanxess and Michelin. Event organiser, the International Rubber Study Group, has announced that next year’s summit will take place in Singapore on 22 to 24 May 2012 and be accompanied by World Rubber Week activities.
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