Uni-Select to Provide Nitrogen Inflators
D Marsh Company, Inc. has announced an agreement with Uni-Select, Inc. to supply its line of NIflate99 Nitrogen Inflators. “Replacing air in tyres with Nitrogen is becoming big business for our customers,” said Denis Brault, Uni-Select National Tool & Equipment Manager. D Marsh Company is the leading manufacturer of inflators that use 99.9% pure Nitrogen. Costs of their inflators are much lower than Nitrogen generators,” he added. Uni-Select will offer five NIflate99 Inflator models. D Marsh Company, Inc. is a privately held company with headquarters in Marne, MI. Uni-Select is Canadas second largest distributor of automotive replacement parts, equipment, tools and accessories and through Uni-Select USA, Inc.; the company also provides service to customers in the United States where it is the eighth largest distributor.
Continue ReadingStuntman Gets His Kicks Repairing Tyres
Indian motorcycle stuntman and motor mechanic Dashrathi Parichha claims he has developed a device that will prevent motorcyclists becoming stranded with flat tyres. The kit he has developed is small enough to fit inside a motorcycle’s toolbox, and requires no batteries or motor – all the user has to do to make it work is repeatedly kick start his bike. Central to the device is a one-way valve that is connected to a hose and a meter that indicates the amount of air pumped. In the event of a flat tyre or puncture, the rider must simply remove one of the motorcycle’s spark plugs, attach the device, and then connect the hose to the tyre’s air valve. Once that is done it is time to get kicking – this moves the cycle’s pistons back and forth, pushing air down the hose. Mr. Parichha claims that about 20 to 25 kicks is sufficient to fill a tyre. However he adds that is essential to first cut off the supply of fuel to the engine, otherwise the rider will end up with a tyre filled with a highly flammable liquid.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Dunlop on Top Down Under
The Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 has been singled out as Australasia’s tyre of choice for large cars after scoring highly in independent tyre tests conducted by leading Australian motoring publication Wheels Magazine. South Pacific Tyres, Goodyear Dunlop’s Australian and New Zealand operation, also received a second accolade as the Eagle F1 GS-D3 was joined by the Dunlop Sport Maxx as the best tyre for small to medium cars. In 2006 the tests were conducted on 17-inch tyres only but this year the magazine editors created two classes – one for 245/45R18 tyres, which were mounted on a 6 litre V8 Holden Commodore SS, and the other for 205/55R16 on a turbo diesel VW Golf. Six different brands of tyre, including those fitted as OE, were tested by professional rally and race drivers. The tests comprised slalom, cornering, braking and hot laps on wet and dry roads.
Continue ReadingMaywood Appoint John Baron as Area Manager
Maywood Equipment Group has appointed John Baron as Area Manager for London, the South East and East Anglia. John has been in the industry for over 20 years in several capacities and most recently as a manager at Unipart Automotive. Maywoods Sales Director Gavin Masterton was enthusiastic: I recruited John as a trainee in 1985. At that time I was General Manager of GKN Autoparts and after he joined us he quickly advanced to sales positions at a number of branches in our old Oxford region. It is funny what goes round comes round. I saw his name amongst the applicants and as far as I was concerned that was that !
Continue ReadingMyGoodyear.co.uk Hits the Radio
Goodyear has launched a radio information campaign to highlight the role of preventative tyre maintenance in road safety. The campaign also promotes the launch of MyGoodyear.co.uk, a new website that not only offers safety advice, but also celebrates the great British Bank Holiday with suggestions for ‘Good Days Out’ across the UK. Goodyear launched the website with interviews on nineteen local and regional radio stations this week, reaching an audience of over 1.4 million listeners. James Bailey, Communications Manager, stated: “With the May Bank Holiday approaching it is the perfect time to start thinking about places to go across the UK. MyGoodyear.co.uk, in conjunction with our DriveHomeSafely partnership, offers advice on where to go, but also on how to get there safely. Preventative tyre maintenance can mean the difference between a brilliant bank holiday and a potentially tragic weekend, and we are urging drivers to carry out simple pressure and tread depth checks before setting out. MyGoodyear.co.uk provides inspiration for people looking for a fun bank holiday weekend with an eclectic range of suggestions from organic food markets to a sheep and goat Grand National!”
Continue ReadingNew Tyres Safer on Rear Wheels – Tyresafe
Established wisdom amongst a large section of the motoring public and even within the tyre industry dictates that new tyres should be fitted to a vehicle’s front wheels. At least 50 per cent of motorists, according to Tyresafe, believe this front fitting preference to be correct practice. However recent tests indicate that fitting new tyres to a vehicle’s rear wheels may be of greater benefit, regardless of whether the vehicle is front or rear drive. Research suggests that fitting new tyres to the rear wheels will allow for better dispersal of water on the road surface, improving straight line braking. Partially worn rear tyres can, conversely, increase a vehicle’s tendency to oversteer, and sudden failure of a rear tyre will cause a vehicle to become much harder to control than a similar failure occurring in a front tyre.
Continue ReadingNew Sumitomo Tyre Plant in Thailand to Produce Falken Tyres
(Akron/Tire Review) More than 40 attendees – including tyre dealers and journalists – were invited by Falken Tire Corp. to tour its parent company’s new Sumitomo Rubber (Thailand) Co. (SRT) tyre plant in Rayong, Thailand, southeast of Bangkok. Established in May 2005 at the Amata City Industrial Estate, the factory officially began production in December 2006. The plant features the “Sun Production System” (also known as the Taiyo Production System), billed by Sumitomo officials as a breakthrough in automated tyre manufacturing. Three components of the Sun System – jointless process, computer control and process coupling system – result in a rounder, more uniform tyre, according to Yutaka Kuroda, president of SRT.
Continue ReadingNexen Dealer Programme Proving a Success
The Nexen Key Dealer Programme, introduced at the beginning of the year by Stapletons is being well received by tyre retailers. Steve Parker, Stapleton’s trading director says: “We are delighted that the scheme is proving to be such a success but are happy to admit that it has not come as a surprise. The programme is our way of rewarding and supporting those customers who consistently support the Nexen brand and in return for committing to purchase from Stapleton’s, customers can enjoy a number of attractive benefits that really support their businesses.” Members of the scheme benefit from a personalised reward programme which includes preferential purchasing prices, in store support in the form of leaflets and posters, branded merchandise and lifetime guarantees on products. Each member also receives a dealer reference catalogue.
Continue ReadingAlaskan Studded Tyre Season Extended
Alaskas Department of Public Safety has extended the studded tyre season for two weeks because of poor driving conditions around the state. The order makes it legal to use studded tyres until 29 April on roads south of 60 Degrees North Latitude. Motorists who live north of that have until 15 May to remove studded tyres. Anyone who doesn’t change their tyres by the relevant deadline could be subject to a $50 fine from a state trooper.
Continue ReadingWrap Publishes Waste Tyre Derived Char Report
WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has published a report investigating market demand for char from tyre pyrolysis. Following the EU Landfill Directive, a number of companies have shown renewed interest in developing pyrolysis technology. To secure finance for such a venture, companies must provide an understanding of the current market opportunities. Therefore, WRAP commissioned Juniper Consultancy Services to investigate the potential market for char, the appetite for such a product and market accessibility. The report contains useful information on the current market opportunities for carbon char and, while they appear tough at this time, it should promote debate among the industry as to how char can be utilised.
Continue ReadingRaw (Materials) Deal
(Akron/Tire Review) The volatility of the world’s political climate, the unpredictable weather in North America and El NiÑo in the Pacific Ocean are having very expected outcomes in terms of the cost of raw materials for the tyre industry. Oh yes, and then there’s China. The economy of the world’s most-populous country continues to grow faster than kudzu in the South. By any western measurement, China growth curve and ravenous industrial appetite throws another concern into the long-term raw materials picture: seemingly endless increases in demand. And, through all of this, the mission for tyre manufacturers remains as it has for many years: long-term flexibility and the ability to trim rising production costs. But, today, the tides of the raw-material-cost ocean appear to be ebbing. Providing that world politics don’t worsen or there are several devastating weather events, tyre manufacturers believe that, despite current volatility in rubber prices, raw material costs will remain relatively stable in the short term.
Continue ReadingApollo a Recommended Buy – Broker
The online stock broking firm India Infoline has indicated that Apollo Tyres is a prudent share purchase, and has placed a recommended buy rating on the stock with a target of Rs 397 (£4.74). India Infoline describes Apollo as the leading commercial vehicle tyre player in India and adds that the company is expanding at a rapid pace, both organically and inorganically. The brokerage firm expects Apollo’s topline and bottom line to grow by 14.3 per cent and 26.2 per cent respectively between the 2006 and 2009 financial years. Apollo is expanding passenger car tyre capacity by 1,100,000 units and light commercial tyre capacity by 100,000 units by the end of the 2007 financial year, increasing total production to 410 tonnes per day. To add to the tyremaker’s sharemarket desirability, Apollo have also recently commenced production of its Dura Tyre range of retreads, scheduled for initial launch in northern India in May 2007.
Continue ReadingMaxxis Opens Dubai Office
In order to provide better customer service in the Middle East and Africa regions, Maxxis has opened an a new office in Dubai, which will take on the responsibility for sales, marketing and customer service for the two regions. Maxxis views the opening of the Dubai office as a continuation of its work towards building its business in a region with tremendous potential for growth. The new venture also expands the company’s international reach: Maxxis sells to more than 130 countries around the world including the Middle East and Africa. Maxxis International Middle East & Africa can be contacted by mail at LB15417, 4th floor, LOB 15, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE; by telephone at +971 4 8875354; and by fax at +971 4 8875355.
Continue ReadingBERU Tyre Safety System Picks Up “Genius 2007” Safety Award
In April, Jürgen Brust, managing director of BERU Electronics GmbH, received the Genius 2007 Allianz safety award for the Beru direct pressure monitoring Tyre Safety System (TSS) at a ceremony in Leipzig. Allianzs annual Genius award is designed to honour pioneering technical developments which have already been implemented in practice and which contribute to the creation of safer road traffic. With this award, the insurance company aims to motivate automotive manufacturers to install safety features such as the BERU tyre pressure control system into their vehicles. At the award presentation, Dr. Karl-Walter Gutberlet, board member of Allianz, underlined this when he said: The TSS does not only provide better safety in road traffic, but it also helps to minimise CO2 emissions. Jürgen Brust responded: For the engineers and development staff at BERU, the continuous optimisation of our direct pressure monitoring system remains a permanent challenge. The lasting success of the product is also shown by the fact that we have already introduced the third generation of the system.
Continue ReadingMaha Announces Promotion
Maha UK Limited had announced the promotion of Chris Byrne as sales manager for Scotland. Byrne has been working very successfully for Maha in Scotland for over 4 years as an engineer. He has a thorough knowledge of the Maha product range and a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of their mechanics. His technical knowledge is an advantage to all Maha customers, old and new, ensuring that the equipment supplied meets all customers’ requirements and expectations. Maha UK is now recognised as one of the main Garage Equipment manufacturers and distributors in the UK.
Continue Reading