Double S Provides Exhaust for Sea Tractor
At High Tide the only way you can get to Burgh Island off the South Devon Coast is by boarding its unique Sea Tractor. The owners of the Island recently decided to refurbish this special vehicle and commissioned Double S Exhausts to design a salt-spray friendly stainless steel exhaust system out of Grade 316 marine quality material.
Continue ReadingNew “Safe and Simple” Tyre Changer from Beissbarth
A new tyre changer for low profile, run-flat tyres and wide wheels offers safe and simple tyre changing, even for the most difficult tyre rim combinations. Beissbarth is launching the MS67 tyre changer, designed to meet the ever-present health and safety regulations, and provide a fast and efficient service for technicians and customers.
Continue ReadingEquity Firm Calls Off Titan Buyout
(Akron/Tire Review) Just as suddenly as it came up, One Equity Partners has ended its quest to acquire Titan International Inc. One Equity Partners made an $18 per share offer last October, a move opposed by one of Titan’s largest shareholders but support by the company’s board.
Continue ReadingMillennium Performs Whatever the Weather
Millennium UHP tyres have been “a great success since” their launch at the beginning of the year, according to exclusive distributors Viking International. “Designed to compete with high performance premium brands in terms of performance, but priced at a level to provide excellent profit opportunities for our customers, it’s not difficult to see why Millennium has been so popular,” Viking representatives told Tyres & Accessories.
Continue ReadingNETE Anticipates Growth With New Warehouse
North Eastern Tyre & Exhausts has recently completed an extension to its main distribution centre’s warehousing and sees itself as a prime example of a company geared up to distribute high and ultra high performance tyres. Following several years of continuous focus on developing its product portfolio the company is now building its reputation as a specialist in this area of the market.
Continue ReadingJapanese Tyre Sales up 1.3 per cent
Japanese domestic tyre shipments rose 1.3 per cent year-on-year in March, to 11.865 million units. This was the same increase as recorded in February and, according to Deutsche Bank analysts, suggests that demand for studless tyres has levelled out. This comes after heavy snowfall and anticipation of tyre price increases buoyed growth in December (+13.9%) and January (+9.6%).
Continue ReadingSeat Belts Top Motoring Safety Poll
The seat belt has been named the most important innovation in car safety of the past 50 years in a new poll from Avon Tyres. The much maligned speed camera was voted the 10th. One of the first acronyms to appear on our cars, ABS, or Anti-lock Braking System, came second in Avon’s survey to find the safety innovation that has had the most impact. Airbags, Cats Eyes and Crumple Zones rounded off the top five. Despite much criticism and an explosion in their usage (there are now roughly 6000) speed cameras were named as the most important innovation by 2 per cent of motorists. Avon Tyres surveyed more than 1,100 motorists.
Continue Reading500 Jobs Cut When Amcast Plants Close
An Amcast Automotive spokesman has confirmed the company’s Fremont and Gas City, Indiana plants will be closing down permanently in June. According to online news sources, director of human resources, John McDonagh, said: “We have recently announced to our employees that Amcast will be permanently closing its facilities in Fremont and in Gas City. Those closures will result in permanent employment loss for all employees at both sites. For the next 60 days, Amcast employees will be paid their normal wages and bonuses, and all benefit programmes will continue uninterrupted. “We are sorry to lose 500 members of the Amcast team.”
Continue ReadingAston Martin Chooses Bridgestone
Aston Martin has teamed up with Bridgestone once again, choosing Potenza RE050A tyres for the new V8 Vantage, having previously fitted the ultra-high-performance tyres on the popular DB9. The new car is the most affordable Aston Martin launched to date, and fuses the marque’s traditional style with everyday usability. And like all Aston Martins, it offers electrifying performance and outstanding agility.
Continue ReadingAnalysts – First Quarter Tough for Cooper
Cooper Tire & Rubber’s passenger replacement tyre volumes declined 4.3 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2006, Deutsche Bank analysts have reported. While this was slightly better than the market watchers feared, raw materials rose by more than expected, ruling out any advantages. Even the $4.3 million Cooper is believed to have gained as a dividend from its shares in Kumho was not enough to offset the higher raw material costs.
Continue ReadingNick Manning to Assume Buying Responsibility at Group Tyre
Group Tyre (UK) Ltd has announced the appointment of Nick Manning as director of purchasing. Joining Group Tyre after a substantial career within the Continental Tyre Group Limited, he assumes the full buying responsibility from Larry Cross, whose role as Coordinating Director of Group Tyre continues. Welcoming Nick Manning’s appointment Larry Cross, said, “Nick’s huge depth of experience of the industry will be a huge asset to Group Tyre. His substantial business development and brand strategy expertise, together with his unique insight into every aspect of the UK tyre market is an invaluable resource. This can only further strengthen the position of Group Tyre as the UK’s leading independent wholesaler and hugely benefit both our members and their customers.”
Continue ReadingAmtel-Vredestein Begins Work on ‘State-of-the-Art’ Russian Plant
(Akron/Tire Review) Amtel-Vredestein NV says it will invest another $124 million to expand its Voronezh, Russia, tyre plant. The Voronezh II project, previously announced, will see a state-of-the-art tyre plant built on the grounds of Amtel-Vredestein’s existing Voronezh facility. The new plant will produce some 2.5 million Amtel and Vredestein branded tires annually, and could be expanded to 4.1 million tyres. According to this agreement Amtel-Vredestein will invest $124 million into its new Voronezh-II production facilities. Within this project, state-of-the-art facilities will be built which will produce 2.5 million tyres annually, with a possibility for further expansion to 4.1 million tires per year. Production is set to start in September 2008.
Continue ReadingMaxxis British Motocross Coverage
Round 2 of the Maxxis British Motocross Championship, held at Canada Heights on 9th April 2006, will now be screened at 19:00 on Sky Sports Extra. To the obvious pleasure of Maxxis’ management, the programme has been brought forward an hour into the key “prime-time” viewing slot.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Founder Elected to Automotive Hall of Fame
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone Corp. founder Shojiro Ishibashi is among seven individuals selected for induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame on 3 October. Joining Ishibashi in the class of 2006 are vehicle designer Nuccio Bertone, race driver Dale Earnhardt, NASCAR chief Bill France Jr., AutoNation founder Wayne Huizenga, former Ford president Arjay Miller and designer Bruno Sacco.
Continue ReadingKing Wheels Enters its Second Year
(Australian Tyre Dealer) After a little over 14 months, King Wheels Australia Pty. Ltd. reports that its results keep getting better and better. Steel wheel sales are said to have “surpassed all expectations,” necessitating relocation to a much larger warehouse facility. Still based in Seven Hills, Brisbane the company’s new address is 6 Prince William Drive.
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