MotionStyling.co.uk Ads Online Ordering
Motion Styling recently launched a new version of its website, with improved online ordering, making it simpler and safer to get new tyres alloy wheels or even headlights. Motionstyling.co.uk has implemented secure online order system, so clients can rest assured that personal and credit card information is safe. SSL technology within the order processing system thoroughly encrypts all sensitive data to ensure high-level security and protection for the customers. The range of car styling products that Motion Styling supplies includes: Alloy Wheels, Tyres, Exhausts, Suspension Kits, Body kits, Headlight kits and more. The company is the only Official Distributor for Vemiri, a premium style tuner. Motion Styling delivers orders for free within the UK. Motion Styling is a UK based company, offering a wide range of car accessories and parts since 1999.
Continue ReadingCeat to Meet Aftermarket Demand through Outsourcing
When handed lemons, make lemonade…or when OE orders dwindle, produce tyres for the more profitable aftermarket. In spite of reports coming from India that vehicle makers are reducing output, Ceat Tyres – a company that traditionally has obtained about 20 per cent of its revenues from OE supply – is planning to increase its tyre production rather than cut it back. “The least profitable sector for us has shrunk, giving us the opportunity to sell more to the more profitable ones,” said Arnab Banerjee, the company’s vice-president, sales & marketing. Ceat plans to boost its production in the short term through outsourcing, a necessary move while it awaits the construction of its own new facilities. “Looking at the robust replacement demand, right now we are unable to manufacture enough,” Banerjee added. “My number one priority is to secure supplies through outsourcing, since the two greenfield plants we are planning to set up would come on stream only over the next two-three years,”
Continue ReadingTatneft and Conti Sign Tyre Technology Deal
Russian tyremaker Tatneft has reportedly signed a deal with Continental AG for the purchase of metal cord tyre manufacturing technologies for its Nizhnekamskshina operations. This news was given by Tatneft general director Shafagat Takhautdinov at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. Under the terms of the agreement signed by Nizhnekamskshina and Continental on June 8, the German company will sell its tyre making technology and provide technical assistance and support. When news of this deal was first mentioned in February 2007 Tyres & Accessories reported that Nizhnekamskshina would utilise the Continental technology to build a US$180-200 million truck and bus tyre facility. This factory will initially produce 600,000 tyres per annum, with a further expansion to a million units planned. It was further stated in February that Continental is expected to become a customer for Nizhnekamskshina’s new products.
Continue ReadingJapanese Michelin Plant to Focus on Hi-Tech Offerings
Michelin has decided to specialise tyre production at its facility in Ota, Japan so it can, as the company stated in a press release, “respond more effectively to the specific, highly technological requirements of the local market.” The plant’s efforts will focus upon Japanese demand for sophisticated products such as the directional tread studless winter X Ice tyre, which was especially designed for the Japan market. The Ota plant will also provide support for Michelins R&D centre in Asia, thus strengthening Michelin’s research operations in Japan. To accommodate these changes, the plant will terminate production for other export markets, which represent approximately 60 per cent of its current output, and adjust its production capacities accordingly. Based on an initial estimate of the cost of the plan, a non-recurring expense of roughly 65 million euros will be recognised in the Company’s first-half 2007 financial statements.
Continue ReadingVietnamese, Indian Tyremakers Sign Supply Agreement
Vietnam’s Southern Rubber Industry Joint Stock Company, who trade under the name Casumina, has signed a cooperation contract with India’s JK Tyre and Industries Ltd. to export truck tyres and tubes. Under the terms of the contract signed on June 7, Casumina will sell 180,000 truck tyres and tubes to JK Tyre and Industries for US$17million. These products will initially be sold under the JK Tyre brand name and later, following consumer feedback on quality, they will be sold as Casumina branded products. As part of the agreement JK Tyre will provide its latest technology to Casumina. Casumina manufactures tyres and tubes for trucks, passenger cars and two-wheel vehicles, and began production of radials in 2005. At present the company claims to be experiencing annual growth of 38 per cent, with turnover reaching $14 million last year. In 2006 the company signed a contract with Continental to produce light truck and motorcycle tyres and tubes for the Asian market. These products were produced in Malaysia under the Sime Tyres label.
Continue ReadingTyremakers Meet to Address Cartel Allegations
In an attempt to address allegations of cartel behaviour amongst Indian tyremakers the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) have met to discuss the issue, and negotiations have begun on the possibility of implementing a compliance programme to eliminate such practices, whether they be planned or unintended. While a probe conducted by India’s Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission has been stalled since the early 1990s due to a high court stay obtained by a leading tyre manufacturer, India’s tyremakers deny the claims of cartelisation, and reportedly seem eager to participate in discussions that will wipe away any blemishes remaining from past anti-competitiveness allegations or investigations.
Continue ReadingBike Tyrestore Customers Gain Expert Insight from Racing Legend
Tyre retailers enjoyed a thrilling taste of life in the fast lane after Bike Tyrestore and Bridgestone enlisted the help of racing legend Ron Haslam for an adrenalin-fuelled reward day. More than 30 riders, all key customers of the leading wholesaler and tyre manufacturer, were invited to the Track Attack event at the former World Champion’s Race School at Donington Park. They received expert tuition to find the perfect racing line for an array of different models. And they also had the opportunity to attend clinics hosted by Bridgestone technicians, who answered tyre-related questions and offered the low-down on Bridgestone products, including Battlax BT-014s, which is the official tyre of Ron Haslam’s racing school.
Continue ReadingStapleton’s Owner to Enter Car Making Business
The owner of UK tyre wholesaler Stapleton’s Tyre Services, Itochu Corporation, is reportedly entering into a joint venture with carmaker Suzuki to build a factory in Russia in order to capitalise on the country’s rapidly growing market. The Japanese newspaper Nikkei has claimed that Itochu and Suzuki would be equal owners of the joint venture facility, and would spend a combined 15 billion yen (£62 million) constructing the St Petersburg plant. The factory will commence operation in 2009 and initially produce 10,000 vehicles based upon the Suzuki Grand Vitara using CKD components from Japan.
Continue ReadingWoman Takes Alleged Goodyear Pay Bias to US Congress
A woman at the centre of a controversial pay discrimination case against Goodyear in the US said she plans to testify before the nation’s Congress in a bid to change a law that the Supreme Court used to deny her claim. Lilly Ledbetter, a former Goodyear supervisor from Jacksonville, Alabama, will travel to Washington in mid-June to testify before the House Education & Labor Committee. As previously reported by T&A, the Supreme Court ruled Ledbetter lacked the grounds to sue the tyremaker for pay discrimination because she did not file her case within 180 days of the initial infraction taking place. In spite of this, since the court’s ruling House of Representatives member Artur Davis, a Democrat from Alabama, has championed Ledbetter’s cause, even appearing alongside her at a news conference in early June. Davis has also announced his intention to introduce a bill changing federal laws that govern discriminatory pay practices.
Continue ReadingKumho Official Supplier to US MX-5 Cup
One of Kumho Tires main US market tyre lines, the ultra high performance ECSTA, has been selected as the official tyre of the Sports Car Club of America’s Mazda MX-5 Cup, U.S.A. Kumho will provide ECSTA V700 tyres to all cars participating in the competition for the next 2 years, a total of more than 2,000 tyres per year. “Our being selected as the official tyre provider of Mazda MX-5 Cup will positively display our tyre making technology in Northern America, and it will all promote Kumhos reputation and tyre exports” said a company representative. Kumho sold US$150,000,000 of UHP tyres in North American markets last year and is planning to increase tyre exports to $200,000,000 dollars per year in the same region through increased marketing and active participation in various motor sport contests.
Continue ReadingJK Tyres Considering Return to 2 & 3 Wheeler Market
According to news published in an Indian business daily, JK Tyre & Industries is considering a return to producing tyres for the two and three wheel vehicle market after a long absence. Company president Arun K Bajora told the Financial Express “We are examining the possibility of entering into the two-wheeler and the three-wheeler space. We want to offer a complete package to the dealers and customers.” At present JK Tyre specialises in supplying both radials and bias tyres for passenger car, truck and agricultural vehicles in its homeland and holds a 25 per cent market share in the almost £2 billion per annum domestic market. Of this motorcycle and three-wheeler production in the 2006-07 year stood at around 26 million units, an increase of 24 per cent over the previous year. This is higher than any market segment apart from tractor trailer tyres, and perhaps too tempting a growth not to capitalise on. In contrast, the overall Indian tyre market only grew by 11 per cent during the same period.
Continue ReadingNew Contact Details for Nokian Tyres
The phone numbers for Nokian Tyres and Nokian Heavy Tyres change on Friday, 8 June 2007. The new number system is intended to improve employee availability and remove overlapping solutions. The new phone numbers will be of the format +358 10 401 7xxx. The last four numbers – the extensions – will remain unchanged. The new switchboard number is +358 10 401 7000. The switchboard will operate in the same manner as before, and calls placed to the old switchboard number will be automatically converted to the new number for one year. Callers who dial the old direct dialling-in numbers after 8 June 2007 will hear a recording informing them of the number change, but the calls will not be automatically converted to the new numbers.
Continue ReadingNGK Names New National Sales Manager
(Akron/Tire Review) NGK Spark Plugs (USA) Inc. has named Darrel Reuss as its new national sales manager. Reuss, a 23-year veteran in the automotive aftermarket industry, was previously with Delphi Corp. Reuss will oversee NGK’s automotive aftermarket sales efforts in the U.S., and will report to Mike Schwab, general manager of NGK Spark Plugs’ Aftermarket Division.
Continue ReadingSlowing Vehicle Sales & Tyre Imports Squeezing Indian Tyremakers
The share market value of several Indian tyre manufacturers has fallen in the wake of news that domestic vehicle makers such as Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland are reducing their OE tyre orders. Vehicle sales in India have declined in the last year, with a 15-20 per cent fall in growth recorded. Shares in MRF Ltd fell 3.22 per cent on June 6, while stock in Ceat Tyres and JK Tyres fell by 5.07 and 3.68 per cent respectively. Apollo Tyres closed 0.81 per cent lower. There will definitely be a little downturn in tyre stocks as auto stocks are all down, said Ms Vaishali Jajoo, an automotive analyst with brokerage firm Angel Broking.
Continue ReadingWorld’s Largest Retread Pour Machine Completes UK Trials
Amerityre Corporation has announced the completion of UK validation trials for the 2,500-pounds/1,100 kilograms per minute polyurethane pour machine commissioned for its Chinese licensee Qingdao Qizhou Rubber Co. Ltd. The polyurethane pour machine will be used by Qingdao Qizhou in the production of large OTR retread tyres at its production facility in Shandong Province, China. Amerityre commissioned polyurethane equipment supplier Cannon to build the machine. Cannon appointed its CMT Equipment Ltd. division, located in South Yorkshire, to design and fabricate the required equipment. The trials held at the end of May demonstrated the machines ability to mix and deliver up to 1,100 kilograms of polyurethane per minute, a rate Amerityre believes makes it the largest known polyurethane pour machine in the world. It is currently being shipped to Shandong Province in China, where Qingdao will use the machine to pour polyurethane retread material onto large rubber mining and industrial tyres.
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