CTNA to Raise Commercial Tyre Prices
(Akron/Tire Review) Continental Tire North America (CTNA) announced a price increase of up to 5 per cent on all Continental, General, Semperit and private brand truck tyres. The increase, which takes effect May 1, is due to the continued escalation of raw material costs, according to CTNA.
Continue ReadingYokohama Tire, union still working on contract
Officials at Yokohama Tire in the US are continuing negotiations with union representatives to map out a new labour contract for the company’s manufacturing facility in Salem, Virginia. Talks between the tyremaker and the union began in early March, with the current contract expiring April 15. However, union members have the option of continuing to work under its provisions should negotiations not be complete by this date. Mike Amos, president of the local representative union, declined to comment regarding the progress of talks or what major issues are currently on the table, although the question of health care for current and retired workers, plus that of job security - a reoccurring theme in the changing US corporate climate - are considered the most important issues the two parties need to tackle.
Continue ReadingMaxxis is New Title Sponsor for 2007 British Supersport Championship
Maxxis is the new title sponsor of the 2007 British Supersport Championship, one of the leading motorcycle racing series in the UK and Europe and second only to the British Superbike Championship (BSB) in popularity. A top class series in its own right, Supersport is very highly rated by motorcycle manufacturers and racers alike. The 2007 season, which will be contested over 13 weekends at 11 venues throughout the British Isles, commences with two races at Brands Hatch on Monday, April 9. The final championship round is at Brands Hatch on October 14.
Continue ReadingMatador’s New Generation Winter Tyres – A Stronger Focus on Safety
When the decision was made to produce a third generation of passenger car winter tyre, Matador gave its design team the brief of coming up with a tyre specifically suited to the challenging driving conditions encountered during the European winter. The team set out to create a product possessing what they considered the optimal shape - and the end result was the MP59 Nordicca. Compared with its predecessors, the MP59 Nordicca has been developed with a stronger emphasis on driving safety, particularly in the most demanding conditions. Matador believes the enhanced traction and braking properties on snow and ice surfaces afforded by the new tyre are strong factors that contribute to a more rewarding and comfortable driving experience. In addition to increased grip on snow and ice, the 3-D lamellas on the MP59 Nordicca’s tread pattern blocks allow for greater stability and rigidity in the blocks during dry surface transfers of load.
Continue ReadingDanang Rubber Profits and Turnover Up
On April 3 Vietnam’s Danang Rubber Company released a statement announcing it anticipated a 14 per cent rise in net profit this year to 63 billion dong (US$4 million). According to company president Nguyen Quoc Tuan, revenues for the firm, which produces and retreads car, truck and OTR tyres in addition to producing bicycle and motorcycle tyres, expect their revenue to increase 15.5 per cent over last year’s figures, to 1.07 trillion dong ($680 million). These increases will result mainly from upgraded production capacity and strong export demand, especially for made-to-order tyres. The company’s exports are expected to rise 13 per cent to $5 million, the statement added.
Continue ReadingKumho Adds Three Sales Managers
(Akron/Tire Review) Kumho Tire USA Inc. has added three sales managers to its ranks. Aaron Duty joins Kumho as a regional sales manager for southern California and Arizona. He had been a district sales manager for Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. Before that, he served as a service technician with Sears Automotive and previously as a fabricator and engineering laboratory technician. Duty earned a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from California Polytechnic State University. John Krajewski has been appointed a regional sales manager for Wisconsin, Illinois and northern Michigan. He spent 15 years with U.S. Tire & Exhaust and five years with Chem-Trend, a company that sells mould release chemicals to the tyre industry. Krajewski earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northern Illinois University.
Continue ReadingMichelin to Appeal FIA Dismissal
A French court, the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris, has dismissed Michelins request to annul the International Automobile Federation (FIA) decision to appoint Pirelli the sole tyre supplier to the world rally championship (WRC). On April 4 Michelin released a press statement indicating it intends to appeal February’s decision to award Pirelli sole supplier rights for the 2008 to 2010 seasons.
Continue ReadingBFNAT Reaches Tentative Agreements With Union
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) and its Bridgestone/Firestone Diversified Products division announced that tentative agreements have been reached with the United Steelworkers (USW). The tyremaker said that a tentative agreement has been signed for the master contract with the USW, which covers employees at tyre plants in Akron, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; LaVergne, Tenn., as well as the Firestone tube plant in Russellville, Ark., and the Firestone air spring plant in Noblesville, Ind. “Tentative agreements have also been reached for the maintenance group located in the LaVergne, Tenn., tyre plant and for the tyre plant in Bloomington, Ill.,” stated BFNAT.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Ranked as Top Foreign Investor in Poland
Poland’s leading monthly business magazine, Forbes Poland, has named Bridgestone as the top foreign investor in Poland for 2006. This distinction is based upon data supplied by Poland’s Ministry of Economy, which reveals that the total value of Bridgestone’s investment in Poland during the year exceeded that of all other overseas companies, including leading investors such as Dell, Sharp and Toyota.
Continue ReadingPirelli to Increase Consumer Tyre Prices
Pirelli Tyre has announced price increases it says are response to the growth of energy and raw materials costs. Consumer tyre prices (for cars and motorcycles) will increase between 4 and 9 per cent. The increase will become effective between April and June 2007 in European, Middle East and African markets.
Continue ReadingGITI Tire Named GM 2006 Supplier of the Year
(Akron/Tire Review) Shanghai, China-based GITI Tire Group was presented with the General Motors 2006 Supplier of the Year award on Mar.ch31 at in Orlando, Florida. The 15th annual award recognizes supplier performance in quality, service, technology and price. This year, GM honoured 89 suppliers for outstanding performance in 2006. Vic DeIorio, executive vice president of GITI Tire, accepted the award on behalf of GITI Tire. “This recognition by GM is truly motivating for us and we want to express our sincere gratitude for honouring us with this outstanding award,” said DeIorio.
Continue ReadingTop Brands and Genuine Discounts
With more than 25 years in the motor trade, Motorsport Wheels are confident that their alloy wheel and performance catalogue and depots around Britain and Northern Ireland position them as a UK market leader. The company is the sole importer of several well known alloy wheel brands, including OZ Racing, BBS, RS and Fox Racing, and large stocks of both alloy wheels and performance tyres to suit every budget are kept at each of their depots, alloying for a prompt delivery service throughout the UK. A new development for Motorsport Wheels is that, for the first time ever, they are able to offer recently superseded product lines direct to the public at a sizeable discount. Motorsport Wheels are proud of their constantly updated product range, but when a new style is introduced they are sometimes left with excess stock of the old style. By offering these wheels direct to the public, cutting out the middleman, Motorsport Wheels believe they can provide “genuine brands at fake prices!”
Continue ReadingBandag Shareholders Approve Sale
Bandag Inc. held their final shareholders’ meeting on April 3, at which shareholders approved the sale of the retreader to Bridgestone Americas Holding, subsidiary of the Japanese tyre major, for US$1.05 billion. Bandag will become part of the US Bridgestone operation once the deal closes, which is expected to take place during the second quarter. Bandag spokesman Bill Block said the companies are awaiting regulatory approval in Europe and Canada before the deal is completely finalised, but anticipate no complications.
Continue ReadingNew Vans and New Look for Kwik-Fleet Mobile
Kwik-Fit’s newest mobile vans have hit the road featuring a revamped livery that is also being rolled out across the company’s fast-fit centres nationwide. The first of 23 new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans joining the 200-strong mobile fleet in the next three months is now in service displaying the new blue, white and yellow livery and Kwik-Fit logo. The Sprinters are all 3.5 tonne 2.2 litre 311 CDI medium wheel base, hi-roof vehicles featuring the latest tyre changing technology. The new vehicles are equipped with ‘third arms’ – meaning that ultra-low profile and run-flat tyres can be replaced where the driver wants - home or work – alleviating the necessity of having to take their vehicle to a Kwik-Fit centre. The mobile units are also equipped with the latest wheel balancing machines, giving technicians the ability to fit up to 22-inch tyres - the current maximum is 20 inches - and, to improve health and safety, the on-board compressor is now driven by power take-off units via the vehicle’s engine instead of a separate generator.
Continue ReadingAndreoli & Associates Introduces Online TPMS Resource
(Akron/Tire Review) Andreoli & Associates Inc., a software and services provider for the tyre and auto service industry, debuted a new online resource for TPMS data at the North Carolina Tire Dealers & Retreaders Annual Convention and Trade Show. The subscription-based service, at www.TPMSguide.com, is operated by Andreoli & Associates, with data provided by Motor Information Systems, a provider of OEM vehicle data. “Independent tyre and auto service professionals are being faced with servicing an increasing percentage of vehicles equipped with a wide variety of TPMS systems, many which require unusual reset and retain procedures,” said Mike Andreoli, president of Andreoli & Associates. “TPMSguide.com brings all the latest information together in one place, easily located by vehicle type. It is the most complete, up-to-date resource for TPMS data, including sensor and control module locations, as well as procedures for resetting, retraining, diagnostics, wiring, and replacement of components.”
Continue Reading
