Westlake joins TyreSafe
Westlake Tyres, which are produced by the Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company (ZC Rubber) and distributed in Europe by Eskay Tyres Ltd. - part of the Al Dobowi Group, has joined TyreSafe. According to a statement announcing the news, Westlake will use its technical expertise to assist TyreSafe in its campaigns aimed at improving road safety.
Continue ReadingAutoSocks for trucks
After two particularly cold winters, there has been a noticeable increase in the attention of tyre manufacturers on distributing their cold-weather lines in the UK. This of course includes tyre products for commercial vehicles, without which the logistics business would always run the risk of getting stuck. One surprise exhibit at the CV Show addressed this problem is a more surprising way.
Continue ReadingMultistrada to run rubber plantation
In an extraordinary general meeting on 21 March, tyre maker Multistrada Arah Sarana changed its articles of association allowing it to enter into the rubber plantation business. As a result the firm expects to cut raw material costs by 10 – 15 per cent. Multistrada plans to enter the rubber plantation business by acquiring 20,000 - 30,000 hectares of rubber plantation. In addition, the company will reportedly build a rubber processing plant with a 5,000 tonnes per annum capacity. The aforementioned rubber plantation would be equivalent to around 70 per cent of Multistrada's annual natural rubber requirements. The acquisition of necessary land is scheduled for completion during the first half of this year.
Continue ReadingNew earthmover tyre shortage predicted
Just a few years since the last earthmover tyre shortage peaked industry sources are predicting another squeeze on the production of some of the biggest tyres there are. Last time the problem centred on simple supply and demand, but since then the likes of Michelin and Bridgestone have invested hundreds of millions investing in production. This time the root causes seem to be the delay between investment and construction of new capacity and continuing demand, complicated by the earthquake in Japan.
Continue ReadingStarco HT range re-certified for higher speeds
The speed rating of agricultural implement wheels and tyres has traditionally often been limited to 40 km/h, a limit reflecting the restrictions historically imposed on general agricultural tractors not equipped with suspension. This absence of a suspension system was a deliberate design feature that optimised field performance, and the known limitations – the affect upon stability, ride and road holding at increased speeds – were in past times not considered economically important.
Continue ReadingShane O’Sullivan drives Maxxis-shod Japspeed S15 in Ireland
Maxxis reports that Ireland’s Shane O’Sullivan has joined the Team Japspeed drifting team the brand sponsors. He will compete full time in the ProDrift Series in the RB25-powered S15 using the MA-Z1 Drift tyre. Shane Finn, who will be running the team in conjunction with the Japspeed Ireland division, said: “Paul McCallum and the Japspeed UK team have built a truly fantastic machine which we’ve seen compete successfully in Ireland in the past.
Continue ReadingOxigin Oxrock alloy wheels fitted to hard rock band’s touring pickup
German hard rock band Scorpions took a specially built Volkswagen Amarok fitted with Oxigin’s 19” 14 Oxrock alloy wheels on its final tour. German manufacturer Oxigin says “the band was so impressed by the pick-up truck that the Amarok and its 19” wheels were brought on stage during the concert in its hometown of Hannover.” The wheel is available in 7.5x17”, 8.5x18”, 8.5x19”, 9.5x19”, 8.5x20”, 9.5x20” and 11x20” sizes, with black, black full polish, orange polish, gun metal polish, and white pearl polish finishes.
Continue ReadingCarmani introduces 6 Impact alloy wheel
Alloy wheel brand Carmani – a subsidiary of Oxigin – has introduced its five wedge-shaped spoke 6 Impact light alloy wheel. The wheel also features a recessed centre and a choice between a black polished and a crystal silver finish. A specially developed acrylic clear lacquer coating protects the surface from heat, brake dust, and road salt. The wheel is available in sizes 7x16”, 7.5x17” and 8x18” for all popular vehicles with five-hole application.
Continue ReadingProtyre offers free tyre safety check to Easter caravanners
The first opportunity for UK-based caravanners to use their mobile homes is upon us, with the Easter period seeing a fair number of the country’s 2 million or so caravan owners on the road. Micheldever Tyre Services retail arm, Protyre suggests in a new statement that many owners will not carry out basic safety checks despite a lengthy idle spell that could have resulted in tyre distortion and cracking. The company is offering a free Easter Tyre Safety Check at any of its 53 UK outlets for this reason, a good strategy for increasing footfall in what is always a busy time for Britain’s roads.
Continue ReadingMichelin presenting XDW Ice Grip at CV Show
A second harsh winter in a row seems a deciding factor in the latest truck tyre range launched by Michelin in the UK. At this week’s CV show at the Birmingham NEC, the manufacturer’s XDW Ice Grip – available in size 295/80 R 22.5 – will be shown off to UK trade show visitors for the first time.
Continue ReadingYokohama to share China strategy during Auto Shanghai
At the upcoming Auto Shanghai 2011, which runs from April 19 to 28, Yokohama Rubber will hold a press conference outlining its business strategy for China. One part of its plans for the growing market there is the release of the BluEarth eco tyre range; following its recent launch in Japan and Europe, Yokohama Rubber intends to release the line-up in China this autumn. Yokohama says it will use the show to improve recognition of BluEarth within China. During Auto Shanghai the Japanese tyre maker will also publicly announce its activities in collaboration with the China Environmental Protection Foundation.
Continue ReadingPirelli to raise EMEA prices
New prices for Pirelli products come into effect on June 1; the Italian tyre maker is increasing prices in all EMEA region markets for passenger car, motorcycle, scooter, light industrial and heavy industrial tyres. The increases will be up to six per cent for summer tyres and up to 12 per cent for winter tyres in Europe, and up to ten per cent for all tyres in the Middle East and Africa. Pirelli says the price adjustment is a consequence of the rising cost of key raw materials, in particular natural rubber and oil.
Continue ReadingBridgestone donates Australian factory land to local community
A portion of the land from Bridgestone Australia’s former manufacturing site in Salisbury, Adelaide has been donated to the local council for community use. The land was officially donated to the City of Salisbury at a ceremony held on April 12.
Continue ReadingCam Systems launches EDIWheel support
Cam Systems has announced that it is supporting EDIWheel development with the launch of new Cameo functionality which will enable customers to deal automatically with purchase invoices and purchase credits. The Cameo V22 software will allow users to receive purchase invoices and purchase credits electronically via EDI-Wheel from their OEM suppliers and systematically match the originating Cameo purchase order against the manufacturer’s invoice or credit along with the corresponding Cameo goods inwards note (GIN). It automates the posting process where a systematic match has been achieved.
Continue ReadingNational Tyres to provide AA Tyres Online
National Tyres and Autocare is proud to announce the launch of AA Tyres, a new online tyre shop powered by National. National secured the contract to provide the tyre shop which has been integrated into the AA’s own website, offering special discounted prices on tyres online and automotive parts in-branch to AA members. The site, which is now live at www.theaa.com, follows on from a similar move by well-known e-tailer Blackcircles.com and AA-competitor RAC.
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