CTNA to Cease Tyre Production in May
Continental Tire North America will stop tyre production at its Charlotte plant in July, earlier than its previously announced date of September, because of “worsening business conditions,” local news sources have reported Under this plan, the company will lay off more than 700 workers between this Friday and July. Previously, Continental had said it would cut 172 workers Friday, 50 in June and 478 in September. The company plans to shift production to its non-union plant in Mount Vernon, Illinois, and to its factories in Mexico and Brazil.
Continue ReadingContinental Launches Wide-base Trailer Tyre
Continental Truck Tyres Europe has announced the launch of its wide-base tyre for the growing Megatrailer market. Designated 445/45 R 19.5 HTL1, the new tyre offers fleet operators the benefits of fuel-saving, higher mileage and maximising load-carrying volume. According to the company, fleet users will gain fuel savings of five per cent, higher tyre mileage and maximised load volume.
Continue ReadingPirelli and Schrader to Develop New Tyre “Check-Up” Sensor
Pirelli and Schrader have agreed to join forces to take “intelligent” tyre production a step further. The new system, based on a mini-sensor capable of generating its own power, can for the first time be located within the tyre itself and allows the tyre identification data and its temperature and pressure to be monitored in real time and transmitted to the car and driver. Schrader took on 100 new staff at its Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland facility at the beginning of April. This move was supported by £3.5 million of funding from Invest NI and brings the total number of staff at the plant to 160.
Continue ReadingHigher Performance
Selling high performance tyres presents retailers with a unique opportunity to get onboard a market trend that not only offers the best margins, but is also growing faster than any other car tyre segment. Last year the sales of W, Y and Z rated tyres grew by more than 12 per cent compared with flat or negative growth in the remaining passenger car segment. In addition, growing numbers of car enthusiasts are attending and participating in track days using their private vehicles. Not only does this provide the owner with an opportunity to show off their pride and joy, trackdaying is also a an interesting tyre marketing opportunity. Next month’s issue of Tyres & Accessories will take a closer look at what’s happening in the highest performing segment of the UK car tyre market, bringing you the all latest analysis and product information.
Continue ReadingWRAP Launches Used Tyre Open Tender
An open tender has been launched by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) inviting bids which will continue the momentum of developing and extending the UK’s markets for used tyres. WRAP says its aim is to provide up to 100 per cent funding support for trial and demonstration projects using rubber from UK used tyres for a wide range of construction-related applications which will have already undergone proven research and development, but have yet to be commercialised.
Continue ReadingReifen 2006 Preview
The May issue T&A features a preview of Europe’s leading tyre exhibition, Reifen Essen. Whether you are an exhibitor or are simply interesting in attending make sure you make the most of the opportunity that this feature provides. For exhibitors this section provides a unique opportunity to maximise the value of your investment, while visitors will value the opportunity to see what is ahead and plan their visit to the show accordingly.
Continue ReadingMmmmmm Donuts
Cooper Tires has set a new World Donuting record at the Santa Pod Raceway, Northamptonshire. Twenty-two enthusiasts mainly from the online Drift community, Driftworks.co.uk, helped Cooper break the previous record for the number of cars simultaneously donuting, which stood at three cars.
Continue ReadingMoscow Calling
Next month T&A will also cover the recent developments in the Russian emerging market. Focusing on the recent Tires & Rubber Moscow exhibition, our coverage will look at how the show is increasingly becoming a trade orientated show. It is also growing. A whopping 40 per cent of this year’s exhibitors were new to the show, meaning the exhibition remains Russia’s leading tyre industry show by some way.
Continue ReadingSchumacher and Bridgestone Win European Grand Prix
Michael Schumacher Bridgestone-shod Ferrari has won the European GP in front of home crowds to give Bridgestone its 97th win since entering Formula One in 1997. The result was Schumacher’s 86th win of his career. After a race-long battle, Schumacher beat the Michelin equipped Renault of Fernando Alonso into second place. Ferrari and Bridgestone’s Felipe Massa completed the podium.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster Names New Managing Director
ATS Euromaster has appointed Ian Stuart as its new Group Managing Director, taking up the role with immediate effect. The news follows reports of previous MD Nick Gregg’s departure a little over a month ago. Ian Stuart started his career as a salesman with Kenning Tyre Services in the London area in 1980, followed by periods as Centre Manager and in Regional Sales. After a four-year period as Regional Sales Manager in London and the South East with National Tyres & Autocare, Ian joined ATS Euromaster as a Regional Manager in London and then became Managing Director of W.S. Tyremasters.
Continue ReadingMarangoni Retreading Systems Announces Price Increase
Marangoni Retreading Systems (Marangoni Tread SpA and Ellerbrock Reifenrunderneuerungs-Technologie GmbH) have announced a 4 – 5 per cent price increase on all pre-cure retreading brands and product lines. The increase will be applied from 3 July 2006 in European, East European and Mediterranean countries.
Continue ReadingImpending Master Contract Talks to Focus on Cost Cuts
(Akron/Tire Review) The United Steelworkers (USW) stated goal of protecting job security will certainly be challenged as formal negotiations begin next month for new master contracts between the Steelworkers and Goodyear, Bridgestone/Firestone and Michelin. The talks will begin against a backdrop of ever-increasing raw material, benefit and legacy costs that have forced global outsourcing of production in order to maintain profitability.
Continue Reading“I’m a Porsche Underneath”
While T&A’s favourite remain’s “White With A Hint of M42,” ASDA insurance has claimed that it has discovered the nation’s favourite white van slogan. In an online poll, ASDA Motor Insurance found every person questioned could instantly recall an amusing slogan daubed in the dirt of a white van. One third of those polled revealed their favourite slogan scrawled on the back of a dirty white van was “if only my wife was this dirty”!
Continue ReadingMichelin Credit Rating Put on CreditWatch by S&P
(Akron/Tire Review) AFX reports out of London say that Standard & Poors Ratings Services has placed its BBB+ long-term corporate credit rating on Groupe Michelin, citing concerns over the tyremaker’s profitability. S&P affirmed, however, Michelin’s short-term rating at A-2.
Continue ReadingApollo Tyres Reports 2005 Results
Publishing its full-year 2005 results Apollo Tyres Ltd has reported that it has crossed the 30 billion-rupee turnover mark, compared 26.56 billion the previous year. Operating profit soared 35 per cent to 2.22 billion rupees while net sales grew 18 per cent to 2.64 billion rupees.
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