LSUK Seeks Retail Battery Partners
LSUK, which claims to be the largest single supplier of batteries in to the UK automotive, marine, leisure, industrial and commercial industries, is giving proactive garages, fitters and retailers the opportunity to join its battery programme – and reap numerous rewards at the same time. The UK battery market is estimated to be worth £120 million in retail sales every year and LSUK has established itself as a leading player in the sector with the unrivalled service that it can offer. With 52 distribution branches nationwide, LSUK is in the position to offer first class product availability from stock, access to the best brands on the market, and arguably the most competitive pricing structure in the battery sector.
Continue ReadingTIA Says It Backs RMA-Drafted Fuel Efficiency Bill
(Akron/Tire Review) After weeks of review, TIA has decided to support the tyre fuel efficiency program bill (HR 5632) written by the RMA and recently passed by the House Energy Committee. In making the announcement, TIA said, “The TIA Government Affairs Committee was able to come to consensus after weighing the pros and cons of the legislation.” Separately, SEMA announced earlier this month that it would not support the bill, which calls for NHTSA to create a national tyre fuel efficiency consumer information program that would include a fuel efficiency rating system, requirements for providing such information to tire buyers, and a national consumer tire maintenance consumer education program.
Continue ReadingVacu-Lug to Return to Profit – Fleet Sales grow 28 per cent
Independent retreader Vacu-Lug recently announced that it is “back on track,” reporting half a million pounds of operating profit for 2005. Speaking at the company’s AGM, managing director Tim Hercock, who was appointed in 2002 following a £2.5 million loss, commented that he was delighted with the progress the company had made. “It is testament to the hard work of all our employees” he stated, adding: “We have been through a major change process and have come out in much better shape”.
Continue ReadingMichelin, Union Reach Tentative US Tyre Agreement
Michelin and the United Steelworkers on Tuesday reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for hourly workers at three of its BFGoodrich tyre plants in the United States. Details of the agreements, which cover about 3,450 workers, will not be released until the union has completed ratification votes, Michelin spokeswoman Lynn Mann said. The contracts covering the Michelin union workers in North America were to expire at midnight on July 22, but both sides had agreed to temporary extensions while talks continued. The agreement covers two of Michelin’s BFGoodrich plants in Alabama and one in Indiana and is to be used as a template for contract talks with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Bridgestone Corp. in North America.
Continue ReadingAmtel-Vredestein to acquire Moscow tyre plant
Tyre maker Amtel-Vredestein N.V. said it is acquiring the Moscow Tyre Plant (MTP) in a deal that will provide it with production capacity to meet growing demand in Russia. The company said it plans to use the facility to manufacture its Amtel and Vredestein brands, which are in short supply due to capacity constraints. Working at full capacity, the Moscow Tire Plant could bring Amtel $66 million to $82 million a year in added sales, the company said in a statement.
Continue ReadingTyretorque.com Reports Rapid Growth
Tyretorque.com has reported a 25 per cent growth in business for the second quarter of 2006. Having started the year with a first quarter that delivered growth of 2 per cent less than target, the company is said to be delighted with the record growth achieved in the second quarter.
Continue ReadingPenny Hydraulics and Renault Vans in Partnership
Renault Vans and Penny Hydraulics have got together to offer fully equipped tyre service vehicles, complete with tools and lifting equipment, available from £377 a month. A demonstration Renault Master highlights the two companies capabilities under a Partners in Success and Safety theme.
Continue ReadingNew ‘Specialist’ e-Tailer Launched
One of the main complaints about the increasing number of online tyre retailers, or e-tailers, is that their fitting partners are general garages rather than fitting specialists. BestButTyres is promoting itself as the answer to this question. BestBuyTyres brings together 12 leading multi-outlet independent tyre specialists with over 250 branches in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Continue ReadingM-Class Features Sporty Tyre Set-Up
The second generation Mercedes-Benz M-Class continues to set the standard, using a new tyre set up from Bridgestone that is said to offer a sportier ride without compromising high speed stability or on-the-road comfort. The classy SUV bears all the hallmarks of the ground-breaking mark one M-Class that paved the way for modern off-roaders following its launch in 1997 – majestic looks, stunning performance, a stylish interior and masses of load capacity.
Continue ReadingSurprise Award for Roadrunner Tyres Team
A tyre retailer’s fundraising efforts helped her raise more than £200 for the charity helping her teenage daughter live with ME. And Barbara Hodgkinson had double reason to celebrate at the Great Eccleston Agricultural Show, near Garstang, Lancashire, when her company, Roadrunner Tyres, also picked up a trophy for best trade display.
Continue ReadingHayes Lemmerz Receives Volkswagen Brazil Supplier Award
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. announced today that its steel wheel manufacturing operation in Guarulhos, Brazil has received the 2005 supplier award from Volkswagen of Brazil. The award recognizes Hayes Lemmerz for its steel wheels, in the category of “Logistics - Domestic Productive Parts.” The award was recently presented by Messrs. Hans-Christian Maergner, president of Volkswagen of Brazil and Thomas Gropp, purchasing director of Volkswagen of Brazil. “I am honoured that Volkswagen has recognized our efforts to be an industry leader,” said Fred Bentley, president and COO of the companys Global Wheel Group.
Continue ReadingMichelin, Union Agree to Extensions; No Progress Elsewhere
(Akron/Tire Review) The United Steelworkers’ (USW) master contracts with Michelin North America, Goodyear and Bridgestone/Firestone expired Sunday at midnight without incident and without a walkout by union workers. But twice over the weekend the union and Michelin agreed to extensions of their contract – one 24-hour extension on Saturday and a 48-hour extension on Sunday. The contract, which covers Michelin’s unionized plants in Tuscaloosa and Opelika, Ala., and Fort Wayne, Ind., is now scheduled to end at midnight on July 25.
Continue ReadingMAM to Launch New Website and Online Support
MAM Software has launched a new website (www.mamsoft.co.uk) on 1 August. In addition to providing access to the latest news and information on the company and its range of products, the website will feature a dedicated customers-only extranet section. This section will provide existing MAM customers with a range of free resources such as online log tracking, product tutorials, frequently asked questions and software downloads.
Continue ReadingCooper Results Out on 3 August
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. plans to unveil its second quarter and first half financial results before the market opens on Thursday, 3 August. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has not said when its second quarter/first half figures will be issued.
Continue ReadingTIF Delegation Meets With MP
A delegation from the Tyre Industry Federation (TIF) had a successful meeting yesterday with the Minister at the DTI responsible for sustainable development, Malcolm Wicks, to discuss the issue of used tyre recovery. The delegation, on which all member associations were represented and which was led by TIF chairman, Jim Rickard, made the Minister aware of the steps the industry had taken towards ensuring full recovery of used tyres by 16 July 2006 - the date the complete ban on landfilling of tyres came into force. According to a statement released by the TIF, it also impressed on him the need for Government, in partnership with the industry, to continue to keep a close watch on the arrangements set up to implement the ban and to take rigorous enforcement action wherever necessary. The Minister in turn acknowledged the success of the industry’s efforts in rising to the challenge of the ban.
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