Bandag Introduces New Equipment
(Australian Tyre Dealer) Bandag has just completed a 12 month testing program with new buffer and extruder machines that is reported to have led to improvements in processing, tyre preparation and tread adhesion, together with a reduction in manufacturing costs. Designed and built by Bandag Inc. in the United States, the key feature of the 8400 Buffer is that every tyre is buffed perfectly every time. Bandag National Marketing and Sales Manager, Greg Nielsen, said this was achieved by initially programming the exact buffing specifications into the 8400 for every tyre that is produced.
Continue ReadingBandag to Make a Statement With Essen Stand
Bandag’s stand at the forthcoming Reifen Essen show will speak volumes about the company’s strong competitive position, company representatives told Tyres & Accessories. The retreading system supplier will display a selection of its latest and best-known products including its BDR-HT2 (designed to deliver superior mileage); the BDR-W (for snow traction performance); and the BDY3 (for on-road usage). The Bandag stand will also feature an impressive array of equipment including the company’s Nail Hole Detector (EB-NHD2).
Continue ReadingVintage Tyres Appoints Australian Distributor
(Australian Tyre Dealer) Stuckey Tyre Service in Victoria and Kostera Tyre Service in Western Australia have been appointed as distributors for Dunlop, Avon and Waymaster brand vintage tyres in Australia. Chris Marchant, managing director of Vintage Tyre Supplies UK (exclusive worldwide distributor for Dunlop, Avon and Waymaster brand vintage tyres), has made these appointments in order to service its exclusive range of Vintage and Classic tyres in Australia.
Continue ReadingCooper Targets Youth Market With New Ad Campaign
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. launched a new national ad campaign that incorporates television and print ads that are designed to reach out to a young, high-performance-minded audience.
Continue ReadingSavatech Announces UK Distributorship
Savatech has named Bike Tyrestore as the UK distributor of Sava branded motorcycle and scooter tyres. The news comes in response to increasing demand for Sava motorcycle and scooter tyres, the Slovenian manufacturer said in an official statement.
Continue ReadingTRA Commended at Annual EAST Awards Ceremony
The Tyre Recovery Association was the winner of a Commendation Award that this year’s EAST Awards ceremony held at London’s Royal Horseguards Hotel on 7 April. The TRA award was for Environmental & Sustainable Management and acknowledged the steady progress made by the Association in developing its Responsible Recycler Scheme for end of life tyres.
Continue ReadingHercules Moves Corporate Headquarters
(Akron/Tire Review) Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. has a new address for its corporate headquarters. The tyremaker moved to a bigger building not far from its previous headquarters in Findlay, Ohio. The new address is 16380 E. U.S. Route 224, Suite 200, Findlay, OH 45840. Hercules’ phone and fax numbers – 419-425-6400 and 419-425-6403 (FAX) – will not change.
Continue ReadingConnected to the HP Market
Continental’s decision to launch the third variation of its popular SportContact reflects the increasing importance of high performance products in its portfolio. And when you consider that Continental experts predict that 16 per cent of the replacement market will be made up of WYZ products by 2009, you can see why. Continental has developed the new ContiSportContact 3 with the car manufacturers and drivers of sporty vehicles in mind. Consequently, shorter braking distances, enhanced handling characteristics and improved driving safety on wet roads are said to be the new tyre’s main benefits. The Continental range also includes a different tread pattern option both for high-powered rear wheel drive cars and for customising requirements. The ContiSportContact 3 is available now.
Continue ReadingDunlop India to Make Industrial Rubber Products at Ambattur
Dunlop India is planning to set up an industrial rubber products plant at its existing truck and bus tyre manufacturing facility at Ambattur in Chennai. The company currently has an industrial products division at Sahagunj facility in West Bengal, the Indian Hindu Business Line Newspaper has reported.
Continue ReadingPeter Taylor to Step Down from the TIC
After 14 years as secretary to the Tyre Industry Council, Peter Taylor has decided to step down at the end of 2006. In addition to his role at TIC secretary, Peter is director general of the Tyre Recovery Association, director of the Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association and a director of the new Tyre Industry Federation. TIC chairman, Brian Smith, thanked Peter Taylor for his “outstanding contribution to the Council and to tyre safety over the years and for giving a long period of notice to allow the planning of the continuation of the industry’s work on road safety and its management.”
Continue ReadingGoodyear Develops Biodiesel Fuel Hose
Goodyear’s Engineered Products division has introduced what it says is the first alternative fuel dispensing hose verified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). The products are being introduced this week at the NAHAD hose and accessories distributors annual convention. According to Keith Collett, industrial hose marketing manager for the company, a complete line of hose, including Goodyear Flexsteel, Ambassador, BC Gasoline and BC Marina, are available to meet the nations growing demand for clean burning biodiesel and E85 environmentally-friendly fuels.
Continue ReadingCooper Signs Funkmaster Flex to Endorsement Deal
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has signed hip-hop star Funkmaster Flex to a year-long endorsement contract. Flex will appear in a new print advertisement for the Cooper Zeon XST tyre targeting the urban sport truck market, and will make appearances to support the Cooper brand. Flex, dubbed the evangelist of hip hops car culture, created the successful Funkmaster Flex Custom Car & Bike Show, now in its fifth year. He is also a celebrity DJ on Hot 97 FM in New York City and the host of two TV shows, Spike TVs Ride with Funkmaster Flex and ESPN 2s All Muscle with Funkmaster Flex.
Continue ReadingTIA Sets Dates for 2007 OTR Conference
(Akron/Tire Review) TIA reported that its 51st annual OTR Conference broke attendance records, with 411 attendees for the event, held in Orlando in late February. TIA said next year’s conference will be held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, California from 22 to 24 February to 2007.
Continue ReadingTruckers Flunk Inflation Check Test
(Akron/Tire Review) So, just how accurate is a tyre billy or a boot at gauging a tyre’s inflation pressure? According to TRIB, not even close. The Tire Retread Information Bureau held a contest at the recent Mid-American Trucking Show, challenging truckers to demostrate their inflation guestimation skills – and none of the participants could come within +/- 5 psi, according to Harvey Brodsky, TRIB’s managing director. TRIB’s Pump ‘Em, Don’t Thump ‘Em Tire Contest, co-sponsored by the Meritor Tire Inflation System by PSI, was designed to test the ability of CDL-carrying truck drivers to determine the pre-set inflation pressure of tires by just by giving the tire a good “thump.” Three truck tyres on wheels, provided by Hankook Tire Co., were inflated to a certain pressure and staged at the TRIB booth. Contestants got to kick, thump, bang or hit a tyre and then report what they believed to be the tyre’s inflation pressure.
Continue ReadingG. Craig Sullivan Elected to Goodyear Board
G Craig Sullivan, former chairman and chief executive officer of The Clorox Company, has been elected to the Board of Directors of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. “Craig Sullivan is a top-rate business leader with extensive experience in building strong consumer brands,” said Goodyear chairman and chief executive officer Robert J. Keegan. “His experience and knowledge will be of significant value to our board of directors.”
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