Xlite Coach Wheels Launched at Euro Bus Expo
Motor Wheel Service reports that it successfully launched xlite coach at Euro Bus Expo 2010, receiving over 100 enquiries for the new forged aluminium wheel range. Available in 9.00 x 22.5 inches and 11.75 x 22.5 inches, the product range has been specially adapted for the coach market and is available immediately.
Continue ReadingPirelli Producing More Royal Rubber
It’s been more than eight years since Her Majesty the Queen last had new tyres fitted on her Bentley, and although she’s probably not clocked up excessive miles in the limousine, some tyre and vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing tyres every six years to avoid risks associated with tyre aging. Perhaps with this in mind, a replacement set has been ordered for her 2002 Bentley – a procedure a little more involved than just popping into the local fast-fit centre.
Continue ReadingTreadsetters Finalists in HSBC Business Thinking Competition
Telford-based tyre wholesale operation Treadsetters has beaten over 1600 other business to the finals of HSBC’s business thinking awards. The company, which earlier saw off strong competition to win its regional heat is now in line to win up to £5 million in lending and a financial reward of up to £100,000. Now, Treadsetters and just 17 other companies are vying for the title of overall winner of Business Thinking 2010 at the prestigious “International Insights” event in Hong Kong, which managing director Tim Davies is attending on 5 December.
Continue ReadingCooper Achieves First SmartWay Verification
Cooper Tire has announced the first ‘SmartWay’ verification of a member of its commercial vehicle tyre range. The company’s Roadmaster RM180 long haul steer tyre has been added to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership list of low rolling resistance commercial vehicle tyres after meeting the required criteria.
Continue ReadingYokohama Releases English Version of its CSR Report 2010
The English language version of Yokohama Rubber’s “CSR Report 2010” is now available. This translation of the 32-page Japanese report released in September is downloadable in PDF form from the company’s “Environment & Social Activities” website at http://www.yrc-pressroom.jp/env_en/index.shtml. The report covers the period between April 2009 and March 2010 and details various aspects of Yokohama Rubber’s approach to corporate social responsibility.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Bandag Relocating Headquarters Team
Eighteen jobs have been cut at the Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS) site in Muscatine, Iowa in advance of the unit’s partial relocation to Tennessee state capital Nashville. The one and a half dozen workers lost their jobs on November 15 while a further 32 Muscatine employees will transfer to Nashville, where parent company Bridgestone Americas has its headquarters. The changes were announced within the context of a restructure of the company’s North American operations.
Continue ReadingTIA Voices Support for TRIB Following “Recent Events”
Following the occurrence of what it calls as “recent events”, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) has publicly reiterated its “complete, ongoing support” for the Board of Directors, staff, and members of the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB). In a letter sent to TRIB, TIA executive vice president Roy Littlefield stated “we know that this has been a time of great change within TRIB, but we are confident that the recent decisions made by the TRIB Board of Directors were reached through a careful, deliberative process and will result in TRIB being an even stronger, healthier organisation that is well-poised to take on the challenges facing the retreading industry.
Continue ReadingBroadway Bought By Traxx Tyres
Less than two weeks after former Grouptyre member Broadway Tyres went into administration, new owner Traxx Tyres has announced its purchase of the company’s assets. Tyres & Accessories understands that Traxx Tyres, which is new to the UK market, is connected to successful tyre wholesaling in Australia. It is fair to say that Traxx has taken the British market by surprise with its first UK acquisition, reportedly outbidding competing offers for Broadway Tyres. Sources close to the negotiations told T&A that Broadway will not be a member of Grouptyre under its new ownership and that instead the national wholesale operation will be running its own logistics operation from High Wycombe in order to maintain continuity of supply to its customers and in competition with Traxx Tyres.
Continue ReadingAnalysts: Winter Tyres; Price Increases to Support Sumitomo Profitability
Following the publication of Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ nine-month 2010 results, financial analysts have observed that the firm was “hit by higher raw material prices,” which are said to have “shaved off” billions of yen of profitability. Nevertheless the company maintained its full-year earnings advice. Deutsche Bank analysts said they expect the company to outperform in the fourth quarter of this year off the back of winter tyre sales: “The key point is whether price rises/better product mix/higher volumes can offset the impact of raw materials prices, including natural rubber and yen/baht appreciation.”
Continue ReadingNETE Launches Wholesale Investment Plan
North Eastern Tyre and Exhausts has set aside £2 million for a two-year growth strategy centring on its wholesale division. As a first phase of this strategy the company has acquired a 69,000 square foot warehouse in Stockton for its NE Wholesale Operation. The storage site relies on 1400 stillages and three forklift trucks to manage its stock base of 100,000 of tyres, and next on the company’s agenda is to invest in state of the art automated technologies which will enable faster picking and stock optimisation.
Continue ReadingLatest Sumitomo Financials See Company in Stronger Position
Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ financial results for the nine months to September 30 show a 19 per cent increase in net sales plus a return to the black. During the nine-month period the company took in net sales of 424,514 million yen (£3.2 billion), as opposed to 356,662 during the same period of 2009. Operating income amounted to 28,640 million yen (£215.2 million), 190 per cent more year-on-year. Ordinary income was for the nine months was 25,311 million yen (£190.2 million) and net income 14,036 million yen (£105.5 million).
Continue ReadingPirelli Adds Mixing Room to Rome, Georgia Operation
Pirelli Tire North America has added a compound mixing facility to MIRS automated tyre manufacturing facility located at the company’s North American headquarters in Rome, Georgia. The $12 million US investment is designed to support the Pirelli Group’s strategic growth plan for the North American market and “help PTNA sustain its market gains and the 30 per cent sales increase realized over the past three years.” Since its inception in 2001, PTNA’s Rome, Georgia facility has benefitted from more than $92 million in investments from Pirelli.
Continue ReadingAir-Seal Wins Royal Mail Contract
Air-Seal Products Ltd, a UK supplier of tyre sealant products, recently became the sole provider of tyre sealant to the Royal Mail Group's fleet in a three-year deal with includes the option to extend to 2015. The contract was signed in late August and will reportedly be implemented throughout their fleet with immediate effect.
Continue ReadingMichelin Seeks Return of Historic Windows
Anyone possessing an eye-catching Michelin stained glass window and a guilty conscience can unburden themselves of both during an amnesty declared by the tyre maker. The windows in question were originally a feature of Michelin House, located on London’s Fulham Road. They’ve been missing for several decades now, yet with the building’s centenary fast approaching, Michelin has decided to “give people an opportunity to return the panels – or parts of them – without any fear or worries.”
Continue ReadingNeil Schmid Appointed Kumho Brand Manager
Micheldever Tyre Services recently appointed Neil Schmid as its new Kumho brand manager. Having been with Micheldever for 15 years, Schmid has most recently worked as an area sales manager in the South West and will now take on the additional responsibility of marketing and developing the Kumho brand across the UK. According to the company, he has a wealth of experience in the tyre industry, having started work in his father’s garage at the age of 14. Neil Schmid has since worked in various different areas of the industry providing him with experience in fitting, fleet, retail and wholesale.
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