Bandag Expands Continuum Line for OTR Applications
(Akron/Tire Review) Bandag has “significantly expanded” its line of Continuum brand OTR retread materials. Launched in 2005, the Continuum line is expanded to include “innovative serpentine tread designs” intended for rigid dump trucks and industrial/container handling applications. Bandag said the Continuum serpentine tread designs offer greater flexibility than other retread application methods and products.
Continue ReadingMAN Confirms Interest in Scania
German truckmaker MAN has confirmed it is interested in taking over Swedish rival Scania. MAN said the rationale for a takeover - which would result in the creation of a European market leading company - was compelling. Analysts estimate that any potential deal might be worth as much as 12 billion euros, (£8.1 billion).
Continue ReadingChange of Management at Trelleborg Automotive
George Caplea, president of the Trelleborg Automotive business area, will leave the Trelleborg Group on 1 October and assume a position as head of North American operations for another, noncompeting company. Peter Nilsson, President and CEO of Trelleborg, will assume responsibility for the Trelleborg Automotive business area until further notice. At the same time, the business area will intensify its focus on improving all aspects of global processes. The change of management will take place on 1 October 2006.
Continue ReadingRomania Becoming Interesting Distribution Market
Romania and Eastern Europe in general are now commonly seen as attractive “manufacturing” countries, but how are they seen in terms of sales and distribution? Alexis Burlacot, marketing manager with the truck tyre unit of Michelin Europe, told Romanian newspapers that consumption within these markets is growing 10 – 15 per cent each year.
Continue ReadingRH Claydon Invests In Renault Van Fleet
Bury St Edmunds based R H Claydon distributes tyres from its headquarters and a further four branches across the UK using a fleet of over 30 vehicles, the majority of which are Renault Master vans. The fleet has grown in recent years as R H Claydon has supplied customers in new areas.
Continue ReadingTouchless Wins Automechanika Innovation Award
A new state of the art wheel aligner that is completely ‘non contact’ has arrived in the UK, and pundits say the launch will have a dramatic impact on the way the industry has traditionally viewed wheel aligner technology. “Touchless” has been developed by Beissbarth, and was showcased at last year’s Autopromotec trade fair in Bologna, Italy. An undoubted star of the show, “Touchless” drew the biggest number of visitors to the Beissbarth stand, as crowds were introduced to this latest addition to the companys family of wheel aligners.
Continue ReadingVredestein Wins Again
Vredestein is celebrating its fifth straight win in the annual Auto Express tyre test. Described as “brilliant in the wet,” the magazine’s only real criticism was of the Sportrac 3’s fuel economy. Continental, only 0.6 percentage points behind, took second place. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the report was Kumho’s Marshal second brand taking third. Auto Express’ remaining recommended rosettes were given to the Bridgestone B250 in fourth and Goodyear in sixth who were only separated by 0.01 points. The Vredestein Sportrac 2 won last year’s test. This year leading premium manufacturer, Michelin, took 15th and last place.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster Wins Three-Year Contract with Fraikin
ATS Euromaster has secured one of the largest tyre supply and management contracts awarded in 2006 after winning a three year deal with Fraikin. The contract includes the majority of the 14,000 vehicles under Fraikin’s management, ranging from small vans and rigids to 44 tonne tractor units and trailers. ATS Euromaster secured the contract – estimated to be worth approximately £3 million a year – after carrying out a complete review of Fraikin’s requirements.
Continue ReadingWatch your Favourite Films with Gislaved
If you are a Gislaved Tyre dealer, you could be watching all your favourite films anytime, anywhere by the end of the year. Gislaved Tyres has launched a promotion for all its dealers, giving the chance for up to five staff to win a portable DVD player as a reward for increasing tyre sales. The competition will run throughout the final quarter of 2006 and winners will be able to claim their prizes before Christmas.
Continue ReadingTPMS Focus of TIA ‘Tires at Two’ Seminars
(Akron/Tire Review) TIA is keeping a tight focus on the tyre pressure monitoring system issue, and is using its Tires at Two seminars at the upcoming SEMA Show to help attendees better understand the technology and service of these units. In addition, TIA is again presenting its highly popular panel discussion “Successful Tire Dealers Share Their Secrets.” TIA’s Tires at Two seminars will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – Oct. 31-Nov. 2 – of this year’s SEMA Show.
Continue ReadingUnchecked Illegal Tapping, Paper Says, May Force Plantation Action
(Akron/Tire Review) The Liberian Times has reported that Bridgestone Americas Holding’s Firestone Plantation Co. in Liberia has threatened to close down its activities in the country if the Liberian government does not help control illegal tapping at the facility. According to the paper, outsiders have been “on a rampage” over the last several months, illegally tapping natural rubber trees on Firestone Plantation grounds. Allegedly, this illegal activity has also resulted in the deaths of five Plantation contractors and injuries to dozens of company employees.
Continue ReadingTyre Workers Win Redundancy Case
Seven former employees of Stirling-based Truck Retreads have been awarded a total of £33,800. The workers took Truck Retreads to an employment tribunal in a bid to recover redundancy payments they said they were owed. They were told they would lose their jobs in March when the company announced that it would stop trading.
Continue ReadingCeat Launches New Truck Tyre
Ceat Ltd, one of India’s leading tyre manufacturers, has launched the Ceat Mile XL truck tyre onto Indian roads. General manager marketing, Rajiv Jain told reporters that the Mile XL is designed to produce 15 per cent more mileage than other similar tyres. “With the transportation scenario in the country undergoing drastic changes, Mile XL will cater to the need of carrying additional weight and performing at higher speed, even while providing higher mileage, he said. On an average, Ceat manufactures 1.8 million tyres per annum in its manufacturing facilities at Mumbai and Nasik, and had a market share of 18 per cent in truck tyre industry, Jain told local news sources.
Continue ReadingBroadening Horizons
The last time Tyres & Accessories met with Continental AG’s executive board member responsible for truck tyres, Dr Hans-Joachim Nikolin, he and Continental UK commercial tyre business director, Arthur Greg extolled the virtues of the company’s wide single tyres (see July T&A). Then in September Continental launched a new drive axle “super single” product (the HDL1 Superdrive) its second wide single launch of the year. Since then the pressures facing tyre manufacturers have barely lifted, with the exception of falling natural rubber prices. But is this enough for customers to avoid more price rises?
Continue ReadingMichelin and Pirelli Rank Highest in US JD Power Survey
Michelin has come top in JD Power’s latest OE tyre satisfaction survey in the SUV-sized vehicle-based tyre segments, with Pirelli winning in the mass-market segment. The “2006 Original Equipment Tire Satisfaction Study” was based on five performance factors: appearance, handling, ride, traction and wearability. The study found that tyre wearability continues to be the most important factor in overall OE tyre satisfaction. “In general, tyre manufacturers will see the largest return on investment if they are able to improve in the wearability factor,” said Carolyn McBeth, director of automotive component research for JD Power and Associates. Click more for the full results.
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