MAM Introduces Autocat+ v2.0
MAM Software has introduced Autocat+ v2.0, the next major release of its electronic parts cataloguing software for motor factors, accessory retailers and parts distributors. This introduces a number of significant enhancements to the application and further extends its functionality. “This release contains features that many of our customers will find extremely valuable” explained Lee Broad, MAMs Director of Technical Development.
Continue ReadingMahle Relocates UK Head Office
The UK subsidiary of the international Mahle group has completed the re-organisation of warehousing and administration functions, gearing up for further expansion in the aftermarket. The first phase took place late last year with a new, £2.5 million warehouse opening at Salisbury, doubling storage capacity to 40,000 square feet. Now, Mahle Filter Systems UK has relocated its administration to new offices at Oldbury in the West Midlands, in a 2,700 square feet building centrally located close to junction 2 of the M5.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Makes Fortune 500 List
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. appears at no. 327 on Fortunes Global 500 list this year, with $19.7 billion in turnover; a 7.4 per cent increase over the previous year. In the 2005 list, the company was ranked no. 330 and its 2005 profits were $0.2 billion, up 98.6 per cent from a year earlier.
Continue ReadingSibur-Russian Tyres Announces Price Increase
Due to higher raw material costs Sibur-Russian Tyres LLC raises prices of the whole range of tyres sold to the company’s dealers worldwide. The price increase of 8 per cent on average went into effect on the 1st of October 2006. “This increase is a needed response to the constant escalating cost of key raw materials. But we are making all possible to minimize the impact of higher materials costs. We wish to thank our dealers for understanding during these changing times,” explained Dmitry Sokov, COO of Sibur-Russian Tyres.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Gets Jeep Compass Fitment
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Wrangler SR-A tyres in size P215/65R17 will be the OE tyre on the 2007 Jeep Compass, a new compact SUV from DaimlerChrysler. The Wrangler SR-A is a tyre that features all-terrain traction and on-highway quiet. Its aggressive tread pattern is also designed for a smooth, quiet ride, said Goodyear.
Continue ReadingClosure Looms for Tyler’s Goodyear Plant Amid Labor Stalemate
(Akron/Tire Review – Associated Press) The possible closure of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.s plant in Tyler, Texas, is among the sticking points in labor negotiations that could lead to a nationwide strike of some 14,000 employees this week, union officials said Tuesday. The primary obstacle in negotiations in Cincinnati between Goodyear officials and the United Steelworkers union revolves around the companys desire to close plants in Tyler and Gadsden, Ala., union representatives in both cities said. The strike could start as early as Thursday afternoon.
Continue ReadingUSW Seems Poised For Goodyear Strike
(Akron/Tire Review) It appears the United Steelworkers plan to go out on strike against Goodyear today. According to the most recent Solidarity Alert issued by the USW’s Goodyear contract negotiating team, union workers at 12 Goodyear plants will go on strike at 1 p.m. EST on Oct. 5. On Monday, the USW gave Goodyear the required 72-hour notice that it would discontinue working day-to-day under terms of its previous contract with the company.“This morning the company made a comprehensive proposal to the Union, reiterating their full “cut and gut” agenda. In response, your USW Policy Committee issued a 72-hour contract termination notice,” the Alert said. “If no tentative agreement is reached, a strike will begin at 1 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, Oct. 5.” Goodyear and the USW continue their negotiations in Cincinnati. Before the Thursday deadline, the two sides could agree to extend the current contract for a set period if the two sides feel an agreement is close.
Continue ReadingATSE Develops Customer Support System
ATS Euromaster recently developed a unique customer support system based on a single contact number into ATS Euromaster’s call centre in Aston, Birmingham. The service operates 24/7, 365 days a year with over 250 people handling calls. According to the company, the system uses satellite mapping technology and communications systems to quickly locate the tyre breakdown and activate the nearest unit. In addition, tyre stocks will be increased at regional centres, in a move designed to dramatically cut tyre replacement times.
Continue ReadingAl Diaz, Tire Kingdom Exec, Dies
(Akron/Tire Review) Tire Kingdom International president Al Diaz, 59, died 26 September after an illness. Diaz joined Tire Kingdom in 1992 as vice president of its wholesale division, and was promoted to president of Tire Kingdom International in 2000. He is survived by his wife, Jenny, and children Chris and Michelle.
Continue ReadingToyo: Keep On Rolling
Truck tyres; if theyre not turning, theyre not earning. Not only is this maxim at the front of every good haulier’s mind, but it also serves as a mission statement for the Toyo development engineers. Toyo has engineered a range that like all good business tools are cost friendly, easy to work with and low maintenance.
Continue ReadingKirkby Tyres’ International Offering
Kirkby Tyres has been involved in the wholesaling and export of truck tyres for close on half a century, and has built a reputation for the quality of goods supplied, dependable delivery and economic pricing. Kirkby has also become known as a reliable supplier of hard to get items, such as compactor tyres, mining tyres and military tyres. More recently, however, the company has made a name as a major supplier of popular sizes and types to the OE and replacement markets, holding massive stocks of major brands and imported makes, mainly from China.
Continue ReadingRH Claydon: The Right Tyre for the Job
As a major UK Tyre Wholesaler, R H Claydon prides itself on its comprehensive range of quality products to meet the requirements of a demanding industry, both user and service provider alike. The companys truck market offering is no exception, with the prime offering being Matador, manufactured in the Slovak Republic, and which has been recognised for over 100 years as a major producer of quality products.
Continue ReadingYokohama Adds to OTR Sales Team
(Akron/Tire Review) US-based Yokohama Tire Corp. has hired former Bridgestone/Firestone executive Michael Baggett as its eastern region OTR sales manager, and promoted Tim Easter to national OTR fleet and OEM manager. According to Gary Nash, Yokohamas director of OTR sales, Baggett will be responsible for OTR sales across states along the Atlantic Ocean, spanning from Florida to Maine, and Easter will focus on national account and OE business. Previously, Baggett also served as senior vice president for Cobre Tire and as national OTR director for Michelin’s Tire Centers Inc. unit.
Continue ReadingAllexim Takes Service Centre Concept to China
One trade company, which isn’t exactly a major market player but nevertheless has a long and successful history in China is the Alltyre Shanghai Trading Co., Ltd. which is owned by a German entrepreneur. The holding company is called Allexim Handel GmbH and is based in Hamburg, Germany. Currently, the company operates three tyre dealerships in Shanghai under the name Alltyre. In addition, there is a wholesaling business which mainly supplies car dealerships with tyres, says Johannes H. Muecke, whose family owns the business. In these three outlets Alltyre sells about 9,000 to 11,000 tyres per year, which is “a reasonably good figure” for Shanghai, Mr Muecke says.
Continue ReadingElgitread: Preparing for Market Breakthrough
It is taking quite a long time for those involved in the Chinese retreading markets to get up to speed in comparison with the rapid developments in the other tyre-related sectors. The first signs of developments can particulalry be found in the OTR tyre segment. Truck tyre retreading isn’t yet seen as a generally necessary way of saving money and energy. However, tread manufacturers such as Elgitread from India are preparing for a breakthrough in China. That’s why representatives have travelled to the far East to exhibit at the CITExpo year after year although their business in China remains relatively low-level. Elgitread has created a worldwide network of business partners over the past years including five equity production sites – although so far China is not counted among the production sites.
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