Goodyear Directors Re-Elected at 2006 Annual Meeting
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company shareholders have re-elected James C. Boland, Steven A. Minter, Michael R. Wessel, John G. Breen and William J. Hudson, Jr. to the companys Board of Directors. In other business, shareholders passed a proposal requiring the annual election of directors. In connection with that proposal, the terms of all of the companys directors will expire at the 2007 annual meeting.
Continue ReadingRun-Flat Tyres at a Catwalk Show?
A series of exclusive sofas and armchairs customised from Goodyear tyres by Italian designer Zak and fashion label Cavalli were unveiled at the 2006 Milan Fashion Week. Zak was originally commissioned by Goodyear to design some pieces in June 2005. The company’s brief was to “recreate in the home the relaxed and comfortable state that drivers have on the road thanks to Goodyear RunOnFlat tyres.” Andrea Zaccone, Zak’s hugely talented designer based in Milan and Barcelona created an innovative sofa, chair, chaise-longue and kissing seat out of the RunOnFlat tyres which were customised with animal print and bright colours.
Continue ReadingThe Wheel Business is a Network…
The huge Republic of China is an automotive growth market par excellence. And that applies to the automobile manufacturers as well as their suppliers. The country is not only at the centre of low-price manufacturing for “the rest of the world,” but has also become an enormous sales market in its own right. The cluster of cities in the east of the country is home to millions upon millions of inhabitants and the streetscape is shaped by the sight of premium segment cars and their upper middle class owners. These cities also have well-developed road systems. Rush-hour traffic jams are another familiar sight for anyone used to driving in western metropolises – and that’s despite the numerous additional lanes alongside just as numerous skyscrapers.
Continue ReadingMarketing Gacosia Wheels in Shenzhen
Gacosia, owned by the Tsui brothers, has its headquarters in Hong Kong and a subsidiary in California. China Wheel produces Gacosia its alloy wheels, and in turn the manufacturer considers Gacosia as one of its two self-brands (the other being “Finn”). Stephen Tsui, Gacosia managing director, and his team, spend most of their time in China Wheel’s office space in Guangzhou: “We are very close partners,” he says. The relationship between the wheel brand and its manufacturer - and this is not uncommon in China - is not based on actual contractual agreements, as is the standard in the western countries. Instead it’s a case of “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours,” so to speak.
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 ReadingSpotlight on the Chinese Alloy Wheel Market
To some of his competitors Derek Zhang is known as the “godfather” of the aluminium wheel business in China. He has been dubbed with this moniker in appreciation of the rapid development of the China Wheel, which he leads as CEO, and his deep knowledge of the competitive situation in the enormous People’s Republic. At the moment there are about 200(!) different producers in the country. Some are so small that they are liable to disappear from the map, or have already been forced to cut production. Zhang expects a large consolidation wave, whereby the capacities of the smaller companies are taken only partially from the market; many will be absorbed by the larger players.
Continue ReadingStephanie Tires Moves Into Europe
Stephanie Tires, Corp. a company established since 1989 in Miami, Florida, USA will commence its operations in Europe starting in June of the present year. Stephanie Tires, Corp. is currently conducting business from its headquarters located in Miami to its markets in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Continue ReadingAnalysts: Brazil Plant Will Help Conti Save 100 million
Following the news that Continental’s Bahia, Brazil plant is officially open, analysts have reported that the company’s decision to increase production in “low-cost” countries could save between 100 and 110 million US dollars. According to Deutsche Bank, this calculation is based on average per worker production of 6000 tyres/annum against “10 times lower” labour costs compared with the US. The report also suggested that the additional transportation/logistics costs incurred are equivalent two US dollars per unit.
Continue ReadingCoombes Returns to Head up 2007 Aftermarket Show
Underlining its commitment to the UK automotive trade, The Aftermarket show has appointed Steve Coombes as event Sales Manager for its 2007 expo. Following on from last years event, in which the Aftermarket Show established itself as a stand alone event with more than 3000 specific trade visitors attending, the appointment of Coombes – with his extensive knowledge of the trade – is seen as integral to the development of the 2007 show. Coombes has more than 15 years experience in the automotive aftermarket. In his new role at The Aftermarket Show, he will be tasked with liaising with potential exhibitors, trade associations and various other groups to look at how the industry can benefit from an aftermarket event tailored to meeting the needs of end users and distributors with a thirst for technical information and training.
Continue ReadingBridgestone RFT Training Programme Gathers Momentum
Bridgestone has underlined its commitment to educate tyre dealers and fitters about run-flat technology after registering a near 20 per cent increase in participants on its Run-Flat Certificate Programme. A total of 237 dealerships are now certified to replace run-flat tyres after completing the free training scheme – an 18.5 per cent increase in numbers in the first quarter of 2006. “With a growing number of manufacturers fitting run-flat tyres as original equipment, its vital tyre technicians are up to speed about the technology,” said Paul Turner, Bridgestone UK’s technical training manager.
Continue ReadingChanging Tyres ‘Can Seriously Damage Your Health’
Goodyear has launched a new “viral marketing” campaign using black humour to draw attention to the benefits of the company’s RunOnFlat technology. The video clips, which will exclusively be distributed by “word-of-mail,” highlight the perils of roadside tyre changing through an exaggerated, entertaining and certainly unforgettable approach.
Continue ReadingKYB Shocks for Nissan Note
KYB has added another original equipment contract to its already-lengthy list – the company is the worlds largest supplier of original equipment shock absorbers – by supplying shocks for the new Nissan Note. The Note is a mini people carrier, manufactured at Nissans factory in Sunderland, and is fitted with KYB gas struts in the front and gas twin tube shock absorbers in the rear.
Continue ReadingGSF Launches ‘All Makes Range’
GSF Car Parts - one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers of quality car parts for German, Swedish and French cars – has launched an ‘All-Makes’ range incorporating products suitable for the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Fiat cars.
Continue ReadingVisiting the “King of Moulds”
Zhang Sheng is the “King of Moulds,” he and business partner Wang Ying lead the Foshan Nanhai Superband Mould Co., Ltd., based at an industrial estate in Foshan town centre (Nanhai district, Guangdong province). And what’s more it is probably the largest manufacturer of moulds for aluminium wheel casting in the world. The factory produces six moulds a day or 2000 per year says managing director Zhang Sheng - that’s not the capacity, but the actual output. In addition the company produces moulds for well-known international companies such as General Electric, Toshiba, Sharp and Sanyo in order to service their non-wheel casting needs.
Continue Reading