TRIB 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 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.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Nominated Peugeot-Citroën Supplier of the Year
PSA Peugeot-Citroën has named Bridgestone Europe as its Supplier of the Year 2005 for quality. On 6 March 2006, BSEU Chairman, CEO and President Minekazu Fujimura accepted the award, based on the company’s achievement of a zero ppm fault rate and zero quality issues for year 2005, at a ceremony held in the automotive manufacturer’s Poissy (France) facilities. The event, attended by Jean-Martin Folz, Chairman of the PSA Peugeot-Citroën Managing Board, and his fellow board members, was introduced by Jean-Philippe Collin, General Purchasing Director.
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 Reading