Superior to Supply ‘Large Diameter’ Alloys to GM
Superior Industries International, Inc has announced that it has awarded new contracts from General Motors to supply large-diameter aluminum wheels for passenger vehicles and SUVs. The programmes are said to represent a combination of new and replacement business.
Continue ReadingNokian to Invest in Heavy Tyre Production
Nokian Tyres’ Board of Directors has approved a plan to invest 4 million euros in order to expand heavy radial tyre production capacity. This will mean an increase in Nokian Tyres total investments in 2006 from 88 million euros to 92 million euros. The investment includes the whole production process; ie component manufacturing, tyre assembly and curing at the Heavy Tyre plant in Nokia, Finland. The investment will mean a capacity increase of the Nokian Tractor Industrial 2 product line, launched in 2004, and of the Nokian Country King product line, launched in 2005, to better meet the strong growth in demand. The increase in radial tyre capacity will come on-stream towards the end of this year and in early 2007.
Continue ReadingSPSA Picks Colombus McKinnon
Columbus McKinnon Corporation has announced the sale of a new CM Stationary Tyre Shredding System to SPSA (Southeastern Public Service Authority) in Suffolk, Virginia. In a government bid process, Columbus McKinnon Corporation equipment was chosen as the successful bidder. After an extensive search and numerous visits to other processing facilities and as a result of the rigorous requirements of their TDF customer, SPSA chose CM equipment for its reliability, low operating costs and its ability to create consistently sized, clean cut chips. In an effort to expand their business, SPSA chose CM equipment because of its ability to process a greater volume of tyres and help create new market potential.
Continue ReadingStars of the Future
Bridgestone has kicked off its 2006 First Stop Stars training programme with courses for managers, reception staff, and tyre technicians from dealerships across the UK. The first courses, in Birmingham and Leeds, were part of a series of bespoke training sessions scheduled for this year under the First Stop Stars scheme, Bridgestone’s programme that rewards high-quality tyre outlets and helps individual dealerships improve their standards. The training sessions, which comprised theoretical and practical elements, were delivered by Bridgestone UK’s Paul Turner and Phil Thirsk, and focussed on car tyre knowledge, health and safety, and basic tyre fitting.
Continue ReadingPirelli & C SpA 2005 Results Show Double Digit Growth
In 2005 Pirelli & C SpA achieved double digit growth in revenues (+14.6%), operating profit (+32%) and net profit (+31.3%) compared with the previous year. Publishing its 2005 full-year results, the group explained that it had reduced net debt to 1,177 million euros at the end of 2005. At the consolidated level, group revenue totalled 4,546 million euros, an increase of 14.6 per cent from 3,967 million euros in 2004. EBITDA totalled 568 million euros (12.5% of sales), an increase of 21 per cent from 470 million euros in 2004 (11.8% of sales).
Continue ReadingThe Name’s Martin – Aston Martin
The new James Bond movie, Casino Royale, is eagerly-awaited by fans keen to check out the stunts, the Bond girls and of course to see how Daniel Craig handles himself as the new James Bond. However, for a number in the audience, it will, once again be the hero’s choice of car that catches the eye. It’s an obsession that Richard Stewart Williams understands. Richard just loves Aston Martins – in fact, there’s nothing he doesn’t know about them. He began work as an Aston Martin apprentice and for over thirty years has run his own highly successful company, Richard Stewart Williams Ltd in Cobham, Surrey, where his team service, sell and race the iconic cars.
Continue ReadingItalian Bankers, Goldman May Head Pirelli IPO
(Akron/Tire Review) AFX News reports that Italian banks Mediobanca and Banca Intesa will probably be tapped to lead the IPO of Pirelli SpA’s tyre group. Goldman Sachs may also be an advisor on the potential deal. No decision on bankers has been made. Pirelli’s board of directors said it would consider an IPO for it tyre unit, but would retain controlling interest.
Continue ReadingSHH to Exclusively Distribute Nankang Tyres In Brunei
Sin Hup Huat Company (SHH Co.). has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nankang Rubber Tyres Corporation Taiwan, for SHH Co to exclusively market and sell Nankang’s full range of tyres for Brunei. The tyre distribution deal will be supported by further contracts that SHH managing director Steven Kuan signed with Brunei’s Hyundai dealer Setia Motors Sdn. Bhd. This makes SHH Co. the preferred service provider for tyres, wheel services and roadside assistance for Setia Motors Sdn. Bhd. SHH simultaneously sealed a deal with 24/7 Roadside Assist, represented by its managing director Mark Adams. 24/7 Roadside Assist will join forces with SHH Co. as its official affiliate service partner and retail outlet for roadside assistance service and preferred workshop.
Continue ReadingAutomechanika Shanghai 2006 – Twice the Size of 2004’s Show
Automechanika Shanghai 2006, which is being held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 30 November to 2 December will be twice the size of its predecessor in 2004, say the organisers. 23,000 square metres of space in two halls has been earmarked for the show. The 2004 event was the shows debut and the fact that National pavilions from Germany, Singapore and Turkey have already confirmed their participation in this years show demonstrates the growing importance of China in the world automotive sector.
Continue ReadingExide Unveils Extra Special Rewards Scheme
Exide Technologies has boosted its successful Experience partnership and incentive scheme with a range of exciting new rewards. Dozens of amazing experiences have been added to the loyalty programme including unforgettable opportunities to fly with the Red Arrows, become James Bond for a day or sail in an America’s Cup class race. The Experience programme also offers a wide choice of extreme sports including powerboat driving, scuba diving with sharks, whitewater rafting and bungee jumping.
Continue ReadingNew Cranes From Penny Hydraulics at CV Show
New 500kg and 1000kg capacity Swing Lift vehicle mounted cranes will be presented by Penny Hydraulics at CV Show 2006, Stand 4501. The new 1000kg capacity Swing Lift vehicle mounted crane incorporates hydraulic slew for precise, controlled load handling on pick-ups, drop sides, flat beds and box vans. Its electric winch enables loads to be handled with even greater precision and is especially useful if items need to be lowered below ground, for example in civil engineering applications. The boom height and extension can be selected manually for added versatility. A completely new sub-frame design is even more compact than the previous model to maximise the available floor space.
Continue ReadingTop Technician 2006 Results
The names of finalists in the Top Technician 2006 competition will be announced on March 24. The live final will be held at the Automotive Trade Show (25-27 April, NEC Birmingham) on the Top Technician stand, number 1531. Of the 500 technicians that originally entered, only 36 were invited to attend the semi finals at three regional ATA approved test centres in Croydon, Hinckley and Manchester. They undertook ATA at diagnostic level and were independently assessed for the purposes of the competition by Mark Softley from MototeK and Ian Gillgrass from the IMI.
Continue ReadingContinental Launches SportContact3
Continental Tyres today announced the launch of the ContiSportContact 3. Featuring an asymmetrical tread pattern designed to enhance the driving characteristics of sports cars, offer shorter braking distances, and extra grip for better handling, this tyre has already obtained approval from Audi. The new Continental range also includes tread pattern options both for high-powered rear wheel drive sports cars and powerful customised vehicles. The ContiSportContact 3 has been designed for manufacturers and drivers of sports vehicles – high performance tyres approved for speeds of over 150 mph accounted for 12 per cent of tyres across Europe in 2005. Continental anticipates that the proportion of these tyres will increase to 16 per cent by 2009.
Continue ReadingTyre Shipment Increase Smaller, Says RMA
(Akron/Tire Review) The RMA has adjusted its projections for 2006, and now expects total US tyre shipments to increase just 1 per cent compared to 2005, instead of the 2 per cent it had predicted back in December. The RMA said that 2006 should show “steady economic growth in the consumer and commercial sectors,” it has downgraded its shipment prediction because of decreases in OE markets. RMA projects continued annualized growth of about 1.7 per cent for total tyre shipments through 2011. Combined 2006 OE and replacement market shipments – passenger and commercial – should increase by 3.8 million units to nearly 325 million tires, up from 2005’s 320.8 million total units, RMA said. By 2011, shipments should reach 352 million tyres.
Continue ReadingHankook’s New Tyre ‘Loads Better’
Hankook Tyre UK will unveil a new tyre – the 295/60 R22.5 AL02 – at this years Commercial Vehicle show. The company claims its latest product will prove of immense benefit to the vehicle logistics industry. Hankook was contacted by a senior fleet engineer for a major vehicle logistics company, who was looking for a solution to a tyre-related problem. Like most logistics companies operating in Europe, his fleet was fitted with 295/60 R22.5 tyres on the three trailer axles in order to reduce vehicle height, which aids loading and unloading, as well as making the vehicle more stable.
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