New Improved OTR Website
OTR Tyres Ltd has upgraded and improved its website in order to reflect the expanded range of products, services and global operations says the Alfreton-based company. The new look site contains 140 pages with easy, drop down navigation to guide visitors to the relevant areas of interest. The site is produced in-house by OTRs dedicated, IT team and, as well as news and information, the site allows customers secure access to their TotalTyreLogic tyre management records, factory production schedule and tyre information.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Australia Prices to Rise August 1
Price increases of up to 5 per cent have been announced by Bridgestone Australia Ltd. The new pricing will be implemented on August 1 and includes most Bridgestone tyres, tubes, retreads and services. Mac Ohashi, Bridgestone Australia chairman and CEO, commented that the company had absorbed the effect of rising raw material costs for as long as possible. We have seen very significant continued upward price pressure on raw materials such as oil, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, steel and carbon black in combination with increased energy and transportation costs.
Continue ReadingTech International Names OTR Sales Manager
Tech International has promoted Ron Reiring to the post of OTR Sales Manager, North America. His responsibilities will include developing new OTR sales opportunities for Tech Internationals tire repairs and OTR equipment in the US, Canada and Mexico, while providing support to Techs existing OTR customer base. Reiring graduated from Fresno State University with a degree in Industrial technology and, prior to his latest promotion, he served as a Western US Zone Manager for Tech, providing sales support, service and training to Techs national account base.
Continue Reading14-Day Turkish Tyre Strike Ends
A two week tyre strike by 4,000 members of International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Unions (ICEM) Turkish affiliate Lastik-İş ended on 13 June, and workers from three tyre manufacturers resumed work the following day. The strike ended when a two-year accord was reached between the union and three global companies, Goodyear, Bridgestone and Pirelli, who jointly represented the tyre industry in talks. The negotiations on 13 June were the first since the strike began on 31 May. Talks first began on a 2008-2009 labour agreement, covering four tyre factories, in September 2007. The two parties agreed to a 14 per cent pay increase for 2008, and an increase equalling the Turkish rate of inflation for 2009. In 2007, the Turkish rate of inflation was 8.39 per cent and is expected to rise above that this year. Lastik-İş had sought a 12 per cent wage rise for the first six months of 2008, with increases matching the inflation rate in each six-month period through 2009.
Continue ReadingWhat a Difference a Day Makes
On the face of it, twenty-four hours is not such a long time – three sleeps, a long haul flight, the average time it takes hackers to crack new digital music protection software. But in other situations the same twenty-four hours seem like a very long time indeed, and can test the limits of endurance. Such is the case for the Le Mans 24 Hour race, an event in which vehicles and tyres are pushed to the limit and nothing is assured until the very end. The Virgo Motorsport team wes a case in point. A brilliant performance cut short close to the end. With less than three hours remaining the British team was forced to retire from its GT2 class second place position following engine failure, becoming one of twenty vehicles to withdraw from the original line up of fifty-five. In the end first place went to the Michelin shod Audi Sport R10 TD1 driven by Kristensen, Capello and McNish, and as a further bonus the tyremaker savoured victory in each of the four race categories. “I’m just gutted,” said Virgo Motorsport driver Rob Bell following the race. “We had a car capable of winning, but it wasn’t to be.” A solid result from Virgo would also have been a feather in the cap for Dunlop, with the Ferrari 430’s tyres proving a worthy match for the competitors’ Michelins. As driver Tim Sudgeon commented, Virgo Motorsport had “three strong drivers, a highly professional team, a car with the capability to win, great tyres.” He added: “We had all the ingredients, and it’s not often that’s the case, so it makes it all the more disappointing for us. It is renowned as the hardest race and that reputation is for good reason.” First across the line at Le Mans was, as previously mentioned, the Audi Sport R10 TD1 driven by Kristensen, Capello and McNish. This year’s win was the German marques eighth victory on the Sarthe circuit and the fifth in a row since 2004. And of course a victory for Audi is also a victory for Michelin, who has not tasted defeat in the Le Mans 24 Hour race since 1998. This year the French company took first spot in every one of the competition classes: In LMP2 victory went to the Van Merksteijn, Verstappen and Bleekemolen Porsche RS Spyder; in LM GT1 to the Brabham, Garcia and Turner Aston Martin; and in LM GT2, drivers Salo, Meli and Bruni drove to victory in their Ferrari F430 GT. This years Le Mans was one of the greatest challenges we have ever faced,” commented Audi sport Director Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. “We really needed a tyre partner we could rely on to get us to the end of the race. Michelins people did that superbly for us, supplying a product that was absolutely right, and perfect service to go with it. We work as one with our Michelin technician: hes part of the team, he thinks the same way we do and he did absolutely everything he could to give us the best advice in very difficult racing conditions. So thanks and hats off to Michelin!” Once again we learned a great deal this year with all our partners and it was a difficult race,” added Michelin competitions director Frédéric Henry-Biabaud. “Looking at the broader picture, we have won all four classes and thats just fantastic. We have every reason to be proud of what we have done, and I would like to thank all Michelin employees who work hard all over the year to provide the best product for our partners. “It was a very taxing race,” he added. “One that brought the full range of available tyres into play. The first part of the race, on a dry track, showed how well our soft and medium tyres coped with double of triple stints in the various classes, while the wet second part of the race meant we had to call on our intermediates and our choice of part- and full-wet tyres. It was a wonderful Le Mans, one where we were able to put everything we learned from testing this season with our 2008 range in the LMS and ALMS series into practice.” Pirelli reports a second place finish for the “most Italian” Ferrari, the BMS-Scuderia Italia 430 GTC driven by Babini, Malucelli and Ruberti. The Pirelli shod car, the only vehicle on the grid fitted with the Italian manufacturer’s products, competed in the GT2 class. The BMS-Scuderia Italia Ferrari finished 22nd overall. But for every happy ending at Le Mans there is a story of opportunity lost, and like their counterparts from Virgo Motorsport, the Yokohama supported Tokai University-YGK Power team was forced into retirement late in the race. After completing 18 hours the team’s Courage-ORECA-YGK LC70 vehicle experienced transmission problems that made competing further an impossibility. “The students are disappointed, but they are very satisfied to have done the race at Le Mans,” said Yokohama’s Global Motorsport general manager Akinori Tokieda. “They have done around 18 hours; it’s a good result for them. They gained a lot of experience from the race. We’re very proud to have been involved in the first university team at Le Mans.” Plans for next year’s race had begun even before the chequered flag waved on June 15. Michelin’s Henry-Biabaud commented that “During this 2008 race our minds were already turning to 2009… Naturally we will have a full debrief, and we should be able to sort out the priorities for the rest of the season pretty quickly.”
Continue ReadingFederal Travels to Brazil Event
Federal Tire took its Federal and Hero brands to the recent Salao De Accessorios Brazil, a major tyre and automotive trade and consumer show in South America. Federal said it was the first time it had presented both brands at an industry trade show. Federal was at Salao De Accessorios Brazil to meet with potential customers throughout Latin America. Federal’s booth at the show featured a motorsports theme, and included displays of its Federal 595 RS sport racing tyre, 595 EVO street tyre, Hero Milanza HZ1 ultra-high performance tyre and Atlanta AR01 passenger tyre.
Continue ReadingK-Tool Publishes Catalogue, Reveals TPMS Upgrades
Wixom, Michigan-based tool manufacturer K-Tool International (KTI) has announced a number of new products, updates and promotions with the launch of their new 2008 AirAware Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPSM) Sensor and Service Pack Application Catalogue. The catalogue, published by marketer Schrader-Bridgeport International, Inc, includes part listings and a tool and accessory section within its 44 100-per-cent-recycled pages. Among KTI’s new products are: software for TPM tools, enabling their usage on all vehicles in 2008, and for the programming interface module to support Microsoft Vista; the TPMS T-10 torque tool for the easy installation of replacement Schrader snap-in TPMS sensors; 23 new sensors covering 163 new applications; and a new TPMS quick reference kit.
Continue ReadingiVoice Technology Talks Tyre Trash
The US-based company iVoice Technology has announced its filing of a patent application on a rubbish bin made entirely from recycled tyre crumb rubber. The application supports the organisation’s stated aim for its wholly-owned subsidiary B Green Innovations Inc of becoming “a ‘green’ technology company, focused on acquiring and identifying promising technologies that address environmental issues.” The company’s interest in recycling tyres peaked when the Environmental Protection Agency identified worn out tyres as a major environmental risk, a conclusion supported by the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s 2003 estimate that there were 275 million stockpiled tyres in the USA and that 290 million were added each year.
Continue ReadingRoadrunner Tyres Invest £5000 in Refurbishing its Reception Area
Roadrunner Tyres, part of Bridgestone’s First Stop network of tyre dealerships, has invested over £5000 on the refurbishment of its reception area. The refurbishment of the site, which is based in Cabus near Preston, follows a recent expansion into servicing for cars, vans and 4x4s. These add to the facilities already on offer which include brake, suspension and exhaust repairs. The depot has also taken advantage of the Toyota Aygo courtesy car scheme, which is available to high performing First Stop dealerships. The vehicle can be used by Roadrunner employees to go to and from work, as a courtesy car or as a general run-around for collecting parts. Andrew Hodgkinson, managing director at Roadrunner Tyres commented: “Although our customers have always been our number one priority, these recent developments allow us to provide new and existing customers with an even better experience when visiting Roadrunner Tyres.
Continue ReadingSecond Round of Indian Price Hikes Proposed
Another hike in India’s tyre prices looks likely, in hot pursuit of last week’s initial 2-5 per cent increase (as reported on 6 June). News Sources report that the hike will be at the increased rate of 5-7 per cent, and will apply to all ranges, with rubber and crude oil prices maintaining record highs. Speaking to journalists, AS Mehta, the marketing director for JK Tyres and Industries, commented on the export of India’s rubber, suggesting that the 20 per cent duty on imported rubber be cut to compensate for the lack of available domestic product.
Continue ReadingTYM International Secures UK Techking OTR Franchise
TYM International recently reached a distribution agreement with Techking Tire Ltd that will see the Kings Lynn-based company distribute Techking OTR tyres in the UK. The distribution agreement follows discussions between Steve Eke (TYM International) and Techking’s Keith Johnston and James Wang in London and at the recent Essen show. Distribution of the new range will become effective in July 2008. Commenting on the announcement, TYM International representatives said they will make sure that the UK becomes a successful market for Techking in the future: “We at TYM International are committed to offer the best possible service to each and every customer that uses the Techking product. We have a vast amount of storage space allowing us to stock more tyres and the sizes that are needed here and now in the UK market.”
Continue ReadingGoodyear’s Ben Crawley ‘Highly Commended’ in Marketing Awards
Goodyear Brand Manager Ben Crawley is celebrating after being highly commended at this year’s Marketing Society awards held at the London Hilton. Crawley was one of only two selected as a finalist from across the UK, in the society’s Young Marketer of the Year Award which recognises industry leading performance from marketeers under the age of 30. Goodyear uses a mix of media to communicate its message of safety and the brands unique safety partnerships are the main focus of this initiative. By becoming Safety and Innovation partner of the RNLI, Mountain Rescue and British Eventing, Goodyear has been able to communicate a message of family safety to a much wider target audience. Communications have included cause related marketing via Goodyear’s award winning HydraGrip tyre renowned for its safety in the wet, where 50p per tyre was donated to the authority on water safety, the RNLI and the issuing of thousands of safety arm bands to horse riders across the UK through its partnership with British Eventing.
Continue ReadingMichelin Kicks Off Tyre Pressure Campaign at Eurotunnel
Following on from its 2007 campaign, Michelin’s latest “Fill up with Air” roadshow kicks off at the Folkestone Eurotunnel Terminal on 1-2 July. Motorists travelling to France passing through the terminal will have the chance to get a free tyre pressure check and advice on their tyres from Michelin technicians before setting out on their journey. This Folkestone event is the start of a UK-wide roadshow designed to educate motorists on the importance of correct tyre pressures. Over two days in 2007, a similar Michelin survey at Eurotunnel concluded that 83 per cent of vehicles checked by the technicians had under-inflated tyres and a staggering 63 per cent were dangerously under-inflated.
Continue ReadingKumho Tire Increases Q1 Revenue – but Income Remains in the Red
The Kumho Asiana Group has posted its first quarter 2008 results, and despite achieving what the company has called ‘favourable business results’ group-wide and increasing revenue in its Kumho Tires business division, income figures for the company’s tyre operation continued to be negative. The entire group recorded the highest quarterly revenue in the company’s history, KRW4.98 trillion (£2.45 billion). From this came an operating income of KRW270.2 billion (£132.93 million) and net income of KRW41.1 billion (£20.22 million). Kumho Tires posted an increase in revenue of KRW 71 billion (£34.93 million) or 15.6 per cent to reach a figure of KRW 524.7 billion (£25.81 million). Similarly, operating income rose by KRW 6.7 billion (£3.30 million) or 30.3 per cent compared to the same quarter last year, to KRW 28.8 billion (£14.17 million). The operating margin was 5.5 per cent.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Announces F1 Tyre Compound for Final 2008 Races
Bridgestone has announced the compound allocation in the Potenza tyres to be used in the final five rounds of this year’s Formula One series. For the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, the hard and medium compounds will be used, the first time these tyres have been approved at this track. In Hungary, the soft and super soft compounds will be used, the same allocation as last season. The European Grand Prix at Valencia – the first Grand Prix at this new street course, will utilise the soft and super soft compounds. In Spa and in Monza the hard and medium compounds will be used, a change from last season when the medium and soft compounds were brought to both of these tracks. “The data we have gained from the first seven races of the season have enabled us to make our allocation choices for the following five events,” commented Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone Motorsport director of motorsport tyre development. “Of these races, Valencia and Hockenheim are notable. We did not race at Hockenheim last year, so this will be the first time we have raced there with the current family of tyres. Valencia, of course, is a new street track and we do not have any previous data, and there is none from other race series. It will be interesting for everyone concerned to learn the track characteristics here. For Spa and Monza we have moved the allocation a position harder and will bring the hard and medium compounds, instead of the medium and soft used in 2007. We have made this change after analysing the data from last year, as these tracks were harsher than we had predicted. We will make an announcement about the tyre allocations for the final four races in the season later in the year.”
Continue Reading