‘Green’ Vredestein Quatrac Lite launched
A new addition to Vredestein’s Quatrac all-season family, first established in 2007 with the Quatrac 3, is scheduled for release at the Geneva International Motor Show. This new product, the Quatrac Lite, is described by Apollo Vredestein as being “revolutionary” and the “first ‘green’ all-season tyre.” In announcing its imminent launch the tyre maker says the Quatrac Lite “meets all the environmental regulations due to be implemented across the European Union in 2012, and is focused on fuel efficiency.” Apollo Vredestein further comments that the new range “meets the premium quality and safety standards for which Vredestein is renowned.”
Continue ReadingGiti Tire USA clarifies financial figures
Following the publication of Giti subsidiary Giti Tire Company’s full year 2010 figures, Tom McNamara, vice president of sales for Giti Tire USA, has brought clarification to what these mean in the context of wider business. According to McNamara, Giti Tire Corporation stated in its 2010 annual report that it had made timely price adjustments following the industry price movement in an effort to mitigate the increase in raw material prices and the effect of fluctuating exchange rates. Some published reports incorrectly attributed the decrease in net profit to not raising selling prices in 2010.
Continue ReadingMichelin offers “Promise Plan” to NA motorists
Michelin North America has launched a new initiative for passenger car and light truck drivers in the United States and Canada today, in which every set of Michelin tyres bought will be registered with the Michelin Promise Plan. The plan promises a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, three-year assistance with changing flats tyres and mileage warranties.
Continue ReadingMaxxis renews bike motorsport commitments
Maxxis International’s involvement in motorcycle motorsport continues in 2011 with a renewal of its association with two factory teams. The company will continue as headline sponsor of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship until the end of the 2013 season and has renewed its partnership with Lincolnshire-based Maxxis Henderson LPE Kawasaki. The team, says Maxxis International, is going from strength to strength with rising Estonian MX1 star Gert Krestinov signing up for his second season in the UK as part of the Official Kawasaki Motors UK motocross team.
Continue ReadingBridgestone marks 80 years with new symbol, tagline and corporate philosophy
It’s now 80 years since Shojiro Ishibashi established Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd. in the Japanese city of Kurume, and to commemorate its oak anniversary Bridgestone Corporation has unveiled a new corporate symbol, brand tagline and announced a refinement of its “The Bridgestone Essence” corporate philosophy. These changes, the tyre maker explains in a press statement, are “part of an integrated strategy to further strengthen Bridgestone brand globally.”
Continue ReadingMetzeler launches ‘ride experience’ online
Bike tyre manufacturer Metzeler has launched a new interactive blogging website with stories, images and videos contributed by a diverse line-up of its racers and adventurers. Ridexperience.com has reports from multi World Enduro Champion David Knight, trials legend Dougie Lampkin, Metzeler Superstock Champion Jon Kirkham, around the World explorer Tiffany Coates and stunt girl team ‘Stunt Starz’ amongst others. Since their launch in 2007, Metzeler says its community websites have “grown in numbers and gathered momentum all over the world”.
Continue ReadingMalaysia: Car tyre sales worth US$78 Million in Q4 2010
The latest market data released by GfK suggests Malaysia's passenger car tyre business recorded sales of over US$78 million during the fourth quarter of 2010. The analysts also reported increased popularity of American and European tyres in the market. "It is not unusual for quarter four to register stronger demands as major festivities like Hari Raya, Christmas and school holidays all take place during the last few months of the year," commented Jennifer Chan, general manager of GfK Malaysia. "In preparation for heavier usage of their cars for visitations and long drives, car owners tend to send their vehicles for their due servicing which includes replacing their worn out tyres, around this period of time."
Continue ReadingPaper merchant converts industrial fleet to Michelin
Essex-based Ovenden Papers has used Michelin tyres on its delivery vehicles for a while, but chose to fit budget brand solid rubber tyres across its industrial fleet – until now, following a puncture-free 12 month trial of the XZM radial tyre. Joint managing director James Ovenden says: “We have been both surprised and impressed by the differences between economy tyres and Michelin fitments for our forklifts. The trial that Michelin set up lasted 750 hours, which is much longer than we are used to, and there were no punctures at all – even though we operate on high-risk surfaces.
Continue ReadingCDP Group: a lone voice?
A bright new office environment and the company’s relatively young team make CDP Group’s enthusiasm palpable. The impression is that they work with commitment to a project they believe in and are proud of. Based in Forlì, Italy, CDP Group SpA, which started from scratch only three years ago, is now amongst the top ten tyre distributors in Italy, with 2010 revenues of more than 38 million euros. So what’s the secret of the company’s success? Andrea Reggi, CDP Group CEO, explained: "Our business is founded on the idea of a public company: we all work as if the company is a fund with the sole objective to create profitability, not sales. What counts for us is to create value."
Continue Reading“No dull moment” in international wholesaling: S&H Tyres
Netherlands tyre wholesaler S&H Tyres was founded in 2002 by Simon Klapwijk and Henk van Dijk, who opened the tyre wholesale company in “a little village under the smoke of Rotterdam,” in S and H’s own words. Rotterdam’s status as one of the biggest container ports in the world is not insignificant; S&H has a logistics centre 20 minutes away from the port. It is this kind of proximity that gives S&H an advantage in moving with international tyre-buying trends, the company believes.
Continue ReadingTyreman promotes EDIWheel compatible e-Commerce solutions
Forward thinking companies have been investing in IT solutions as part of their business strategy for some time, but according to software supplier those investing in downtimes such as now are making the wisest decision. “Whilst the temptation for many is to spend as little as possible on IT infrastructure, the reality is that a business that invests in their computer system to help perform the back office tasks in a branch, release staff to provide better customer service and concentrate on maximising margin. This is particularly important in the tough trading times the industry is currently experiencing,” company representatives wrote in a statement sent to Tyres & Accessories on 28 February.
Continue ReadingSmuggling, under invoicing rife in Pakistan tyre market – General Tyre
The CEO of Karachi based tyre manufacturer General Tyre and Rubber of Pakistan, Shahid Hussain, has told Pakistan’s Daily Times that under invoiced imports and smuggling accounts for 57 per cent of local sales for passenger car tyres, 85 per cent for light truck tyres and 97 per cent for truck and bus tyres. These two activities not only impact upon manufacturing capacities at the tyre maker, which incidentally is which is 9.78 per cent owned by Continental and operates a technical service agreement with Continental Tire the Americas; Hussain states it is costing Pakistan’s government around 7 billion rupees (£50.4 million) in lost duties and taxes.
Continue ReadingFormosa Plastics entering synthetic rubber market to meet Chinese domestic demand
The China Economic News Service reports that the Taiwan’s based Formosa Plastics Group (FPG) intends to invest US$300 million establishing a synthetic rubber production facility in China’s Zheijiang Province. Construction of the plant Ningbo plant is expected to begin in October 2011 with volume production commencing in two years’ time. Initial output is given at 50,000 tons of IIR (isobutylene-isoprene rubber) per annum, with the tyre industry tipped to be the largest consumer of this. CENS reports that growing domestic demand from Chinese tyre makers has triggered FPG’s entry into the rubber industry. Furthermore, the company is said to be contemplating three other China based projects related to tyre production; these would require a further investment of $200 million.
Continue ReadingStapleton’s: 4×4 consumers are monitoring spending closely
As we have seen in the opening article of this year’s 4x4 feature, despite the current high fuel prices and doom and gloom of the economy, the 4x4 vehicle parc seems to grow unhindered. However Stapleton’s believe the high running costs associated with 4x4s are leading consumers to monitor their spending more closely, with many looking to make savings on their purchases. “We aim to have one of the most comprehensive ranges of tyres in the market. In order to help retailers who may be feeling the effects of the current economic climate, with some consumers looking to spend less per visit, we offer a range of 4x4 tyres including our exclusive brands Matador and Nexen, which have sizes for all high-performance vehicles and SUVs,” said Steve Parker, Stapleton’s trading director, adding:
Continue ReadingFrom SUV to mud-lugger, Marix UK offers 4×4 retreads for all segments
Marix UK, the sole Marix tyre wholesaler in the UK keeps a stockholding of over 5000 tyres at any given time and offers what the company calls “full backup with a technical helpline.” Marix tyres come with a five-year manufacturer’s warranty, with company representatives explaining that retreading “represents the best way to help the environment and at the same time save money, so much so that the process is actively supported by the EU.”
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