Bridgestone UK Appoints Marketing Agency
After a four-way agency pitch, Bridgestone UK has appointed Gloucestershire-based Clear Communications to provide above- and below-the-line marketing support. The agency’s remit includes helping to build Bridgestones brand equity in the UK and providing tactical initiatives and support for dealers, including the First Stop network. In addition, Clear Communications will help Bridgestone to promote a road safety campaign in the UK, in conjunction with the FIA Foundation (Federation Internationale de lAutomobile). The campaign is entitled “Think Before You Drive.”
Continue ReadingBandag Ups Prices
(Akron/Tire Review) Retreading material manufacturer Bandag Inc has increased prices by 7 per cent on some of its tread stock and tyre repair products sold in the US. The 1 November increase does not impact other markets.
Continue ReadingGM Says It Will Cut 30,000 NA Jobs
(Akron/Tire Review) Struggling General Motors Corp announced this morning that it would close nine North American production and assembly plants and cut 30,000 manufacturing jobs by 2008 as part of an effort to get production in line with demand. Rick Wagoner, chairman and CEO of the world’s largest automaker, announced the closures during a speech to employees from GM’s Detroit headquarters. Wagoner has repeatedly denied that GM would file for bankruptcy.
Continue ReadingToyo to Bump Up Prices by 8 per cent
(Akron/Tire Review) Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. said it would increase prices on all of its passenger and light truck/SUV tyres by up to 8 per cent, effective Jan. 1, 2006. No pricing announcement was made regarding Toyo’s commercial tyres.
Continue ReadingUral Tire Plant to Produce Winter Tyres
The Sibur-owned Ural Tire Plant Ltd in Yekaterinburg, Russia has launched the production of the new Tunga and Tunga-Master winter tyres. A special rubber mixture with enhanced elasticity is reportedly used in the production of the new generation of branded tyres. Sibur launched Tunga in March this year alongside its Cordiant passenger tyre brand. The first Tunga tyres will be available in size 175/70 R13, while Tunga Master will be released in 185/60 R14. Several new sizes, including Tunga Master 13 and 15 inch variants are planned for next year.
Continue ReadingContinental AG Could Cut 10 per cent of its Hanover Tyre Workforce
Continental AG will make a decision in the next fortnight about whether to cut 10 per cent of jobs (320 positions) at its tyre factory in Hanover-Stoecken, chief executive Manfred Wennemer told Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. “The fact is we have an over-capacity of tyre (production),” Wennemer said. “The costs at Stoecken are higher than at any other plant in Western Europe. We are not talking 10 cents higher, but more than a euro higher per tyre produced,” Wennemer said.
Continue ReadingDegussa to Embark on Chinese Joint Venture
Degussa AG, Dusseldorf, and Rizhao Lanxing Chemical Industry Co, Ltd (Lanshan-Rizhao, Shandong Province) have agreed to establish a joint venture for the manufacture of sulphur-functional silanes for rubber applications. This agreement represents the successful conclusion of negotiations that followed a memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies in July. Degussa will own a 50 per cent share in the new joint venture, and Lanxing 40 per cent. An unnamed financial investor will assume the remaining 10 per cent. Degussa is the worldwide leading manufacturer of silanes for rubber applications. Lanxing has operated as a well-established local manufacturer on the Chinese market since 1998. The new joint venture company will begin operating under the name Degussa Lanxing (Rizhao) Chemical Industrial Co, Ltd, following approval by the responsible bodies, and having obtained all licenses from the Chinese authorities. The company is scheduled to produce sulphur-functional silanes in liquid form and as a blend with carbon black.
Continue ReadingTIC: ‘Part Worn Tyres a Cause for Concern’
The sale of part-worn tyres is still a cause for concern, the Tyre Industry Council has reported. These concerns are backed-up by the environmental protection services at Glasgow City Council who found in checks at tyre dealerships, that a high percentage of the second-hand tyres checked did not meet the legal requirements and therefore could have posed a risk to an un-suspecting motorist.
Continue ReadingMichelin Launches Three X-Ice PAX Winter Tyres
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) has introduced three new Michelin X-Ice PAX system winter tyres that can be operated after a puncture for 125 miles at 50 mph, according to MNA. The Michelin X-Ice PAX System 225-700R480A, Michelin X-Ice PAX System 245-680R460A and Michelin X-Ice PAX System 235-710R460A tires are available now for the Nissan Quest, the Acura RL and the Honda Odyssey Touring Edition, respectively, stated MNA.
Continue ReadingMOT Computerisation – Has it Been Successful?
VOSA says the MOT Computerisation roll out is proceeding successfully. It may be for them, but is it a success for the industry that provide employment for 35,000 testers and all the other people involved? I have been involved in MOT testing for 30 years and have, for the last 20 years been operating a “high volume” testing station. Consequently I have followed the MOT computerisation programme closely since the project was first announced. At every VOSA seminar attended we, the delegates, have always been told the system would be totally tried and tested before going “live” and would never shut down because two separate computer systems would operate to ensure the system runs 24/7.
Continue ReadingTyre Cord Business Thrives
According to market research conducted by steel manufacturer Corus, the automotive industry is demanding premium quality steel at an unprecedented rate. Much of this demand comes from the Far East and Central and Eastern Europe, where tyre production is increasing at a rapid pace. In China alone, consumption of steel tyre cord has increased by 30 per cent a year since 2001. This year, the market is expected to grow to more than 300,000 tonnes. In response Corus has invested £14 million in rod mill enhancements to boost its ability to produce, handle and distribute these premium steels.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Accused of Using Slave Labour
The Washington-based International Labor Rights Fund has filed a Federal lawsuit alleging that Bridgestone Corp uses slave and child labour on its rubber plantation in Harbel, Liberia, news agencies have reported. The suit seeks class action on behalf of 12 adult workers and 23 children and claims the plaintiffs could not bring similar court actions in Liberia because of fear of retribution and a corrupt court system. The suit requests a jury trial and unspecified damages, according to the Associated Press.
Continue ReadingNokian Begins Lay-off Negotiations
Today Nokian Tyres began the statutory negotiations for the lay-off of some personnel as well as for possible dismissals of around 100 employees, working at the car tyre production facility in Nokia, Finland. The aim of the procedure is to adjust the car tyre production to suit current tyre demand and inventories.
Continue ReadingContinental Automotive Systems Expands in Asia
Continental Automotive Systems is opening its new headquarters in Shanghai China today, and has announced plans to build a new technology centre in Yokohama, Japan creating 250 new engineer positions. By the year 2010, the Automotive supplier intends to generate at least 50 per cent of its new sales through agreements with non-European automobile manufacturers. It wants to double sales in Asia and is therefore intensifying its presence to strengthen its position in this growth market.
Continue ReadingAftermarket Show Depicts UK Industry
January’s Aftermarket Show will “depict all the key sectors of the UK aftermarket,” say organisers, with exhibitors present from each target area. More than 50 exhibitors will service the event’s chosen visitor categories including: Accessory retailers, motor factors, distributors, independent garages, fast-fits, body shops and franchises. In addition to repeat exhibitors from previous years, The Aftermarket Show has attracted new companies, from each sector of the aftermarket industry.
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