Banner Batteries Power Stand at ATS Show
Following the success of Banner’s new Interactive Training Presentation at Mechanex Coventry, the company will again be offering visitors to their ATS stand the opportunity to “fun and informative” 15 minute sessions covering new technological advances and warranty testing. Members of the audience will be issued with a “Clikapad” and during the presentation will be asked to respond in “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? - Ask The Audience” style by pressing a button on their pad. Everyone taking part is assured of a prize.
Continue ReadingMaha Doubles it Projects Team
Maha UK is in the process of doubling its project team. Extensions to their existing offices are under way to cope with the work load and the increase in staff. The project and planning team lead by Neil Ebbs has many years experience in this field and offers workshop planning for small extensions of up to 30+ bays including all the services and infrastructure that may be required.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Launches Studless Tyre For ‘Europe’s Worst Winters’
Bridgestone has launched the Blizzak Nordic studless winter tyre range. According to the company the line has been specifically developed to meet the toughest performance demands of Northern Europe’s winter climate. This new-generation design replaces the existing WS-50 series, and Bridgestone says brings with it enhanced capabilities under most adverse weather conditions.
Continue ReadingDrive to Succeed
The National Tyres ‘Branch Manager of the Year 2005’ award has been won by Michael Gough of the Farnborough branch – along with a brand new Mini Cooper. Michael (53) came in top place for branch manager of the year, achieving record sales and receiving excellent feedback for customer service in the branch. Tony Neill, managing director presented Michael with his award.
Continue ReadingNew High Performance Viking Pattern
The Viking tyre range has been extended to include the new Protech II pattern, replacing the current Protech 500. Exclusively available from Viking International, the Protech II’s advanced asymmetric pattern is the perfect combination for wet and dry conditions. The outer pattern consists of stiff shoulder blocks and two circumferential ribs to ensure lateral stability and precise steering, as well as optimised grip for excellent braking to give all round excellent dry performance. The inner pattern with its combination of numerous block edges and sipes provides superb grip and handling in wet weather conditions.
Continue ReadingECE 108 and 109 Could be Mandatory From September
From 13 September 2006 complying with ECE regulations 108 and 109 could be a compulsory condition of selling retreads in the EU member states. The EU’s Brussels-based Competitive council adopted the decision on the 13 March. Now that this major decision has been taken it is likely that the regulation will be written into the statute books. Industry observers are receiving the announcement as a positive end to what has been a long procedure. The regulation has been compulsory in the UK since 1 January 2004 and has been available for use on a voluntary basis since June 1998.
Continue ReadingTRIB to Challenge Truck Drivers at Mid-America Show
(Akron/Tire Review) TRIB will hold its “Pump ‘Em, Don’t Thump ‘Em” contest at its booth at the upcoming Mid-America Trucking Show, set for next week in Louisville, Kentucky. The Mid-America Trucking Show is the trucking industry’s largest national event, and draws manufacturers, marketers and thousands of drivers each year. The Pump ‘Em, Don’t Thump ‘Em contest, co-sponsored by ArvinMeritor, will be held Friday, 24 March at 10:30 am in Booth 6973 in the West Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Continue ReadingWorkers OK New Deal at Accuride Plant
(Akron/Tire Review) Union workers at Accuride’s steel wheel plant in London, Ontario, overwhelmingly approved a new contract with the manufacturer. The three-year deal between Accuride and the 550 Canadian Auto Workers (CAW)-represented workers was reached 11 March and includes a base rate wage increase of 2 per cent. The Accuride plant produces steel passenger and commercial truck wheels
Continue ReadingIndian Tyremakers to Import 25,000 Tonnes of Rubber
Indian tyre manufacturers will have to import 25,000 tonnes of natural rubber in the six months between April and September, the Hindu Business Line has reported. The imports come after a six month lull, when shipments into the country came to a halt. “Tyre companies are importing basically since we anticipate shortage of rubber. Contracts have been signed and consignments will begin arriving from April onwards,” said Mr D Ravindran, director-general, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association, the apex body of tyre makers in the country.
Continue ReadingAmtel Plans 100 million Euro Fundraising
Amtel-Vredestein is to issue a four-year credit-linked note for 100 million euros ($119.8 million) within the next two months, the company chief executive recently told the Reuters news agency. “There are some technical issues to tackle. Once we have resolved them with banks, we believe we will launch these CLNs within one-and-a-half to two months,” Alexei Gurin told reporters.
Continue ReadingNokian Tyres AGM Proposals
At the Nokian Tyres Annual General Meeting, to be held April 6, 2006, the Board of Directors will propose the Members of the Board of Directors to be elected for the next period. The nominees are the current Members of the Board of Directors: Rabbe Grönblom, Hannu Penttilä, Petteri Walldén and Kim Gran and new Members of the Board of Directors: Hille Korhonen, Koki Takahashi and Alexei Vlasov.
Continue ReadingSuperior 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.
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