Cooper Names New Product Design Manager
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co has named P Glenn Arbaugh as its new manager of product design. He will be responsible for managing the company’s product design group and support the marketing, product development and mould operations groups.
Continue ReadingEcclestone Sells Interest in F1
Bernie Ecclestone and German bank BayernLB have sold their controlling stake in Formula One to CVC Capital Partners for an undisclosed sum. The sale gives the investment company 75 per cent control of F1. However Ecclestone will hold onto the chief executive post at Formula One Group as well as retaining a stake in the business.
Continue ReadingSmarTire Modifies Manufacturing Agreements
SmarTire Systems Inc has expanded its manufacturing agreement with Vansco Electronics LP. Under the agreement, Vansco will manufacture key subsystems for SmarTire’s wireless gateway family of products. SmarTire also announced the termination of its contract manufacturing agreement with Hyundai Autonet Company, Ltd (“HACO”) in Korea, which was terminated as a result of HACO’s acquisition by Hyundai.
Continue ReadingExpansion for Swedish Retreader
Swedish company Hedbergs has been in the tyre business for over 50 years and started retreading tyres as early as 1958. In 2001 the company decided to switch to the Bandag retreading process. Demand for Bandag retreads grew rapidly from the outset, propelling production at the Hedbergs shop to maximum capacity in just three and a half years. One of the reasons for this was the opening of the Öresund Bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö, in 2000.
Continue ReadingKumho Set to Move into New US HQ
(Akron/Tire Review) Kumho Tire USA Inc will be relocating its US headquarters and its California warehouse from Fontana to Rancho Cucamonga, California, during the weekend of 10-11 December, and plans to be up and fully operational on Monday 12 December. Kumho said the new 830,300-square-foot building, named the Haven Distribution Center, is more than three times the space of its previous home. The facility features 136 truck docks and 144 trailer stalls.
Continue ReadingOmitec Joins IMI Approved Centre Network
Following a detailed audit of its training resources and assessment procedures, Omitec Limited has been appointed an approved assessment centre of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).
Continue ReadingTitan and Goodyear Make Tentative Agreement
Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International, Inc, has reached a tentative agreement with United Steelworkers (USW) Local 745L on a new contract for workers at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s farm tyre manufacturing facility in Freeport, Illinois. The USW will schedule a ratification vote in the coming weeks. Titan Tire entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Goodyear’s North American farm tyre assets on 28 February 2005.
Continue ReadingCar of the Year Runs on Bridgestone OE
The new Renault Clio, which uses Bridgestone B250 tyres as original equipment, has been named Car of the Year 2006, beating-off stiff competition to win the prestigious title. The supermini has been redesigned with the striking new shape, a range of responsive engines and the comfortable, spacious and stylish interior clearly impressing the Europe-wide panel of judges.
Continue ReadingAnalysts Publish New Market Statistics
In 2004 the global tyre market for passenger cars, light, medium and heavy-duty truck applications totalled nearly 1.2 billion, of which 857 million (72 per cent) were replacement tyres. According to a new report published by Research and Markets, the world tyre market is essentially a replacement market in terms of volume and value, with OE sales representing only a small but influential quarter of the market.
Continue ReadingStars Shine Brightly for Bridgestone
A 33 per cent increase in the number of UK First Stop dealerships reaching Bridgestone’s highest customer service standard has topped a memorable year for the thriving network, the company has reported. Eight outlets across the country are now proudly operating as five star dealerships, with an equally impressive 37 having reached the very respectable four star grade.
Continue ReadingDunlop Awarded Marketing Design Award
Dunlop Tyres has been highly commended by marketing magazine, winning recognition in two categories. In the 2005 awards Dunlop has been presented with the marketing design ‘Award’ in the Sport and Leisure category and was ‘Highly Commended’ for Advertising and Sponsorship.
Continue ReadingMarangoni Road-Show Proves Popular With Group Tyre Members
Throughout October and November Marangoni has been running a series of introductory road-shows designed to launch the brand to all of its member companies. The response to the brand launch and subsequent enthusiasm surrounding the brand promotion plans has exceeded expectations, according to Group Tyre’s Karl Naylor: “The reaction has been amazing – the strength and cohesion of the Group Tyre network was never in doubt - but neither we nor Marangoni anticipated such levels of enthusiasm and interest in the brand. This is an excellent indicator for our plans to build Marangoni into one of the key mid-sector brands in the UK tyre market.”
Continue ReadingMD Quits Kraiburg
Kraiburg Austria and Managing Director Ludger Boeck have agreed to part company by mutual consent and with immediate effect. The reasons for this are differences of opinion relating to the strategic alignment of the company.
Continue ReadingFirst Prize for Omitec in Las Vegas
Omitec has been awarded 1st prize at the prestigious AAPEX Automotive Show in Las Vegas for its latest product, OmiSonic, in the “Fix it Right First Time” section. The OmiSonic is a hand-held tester that uses ultrasound technology to identify a wide range of vehicle-related problems. These include finding leaks in door and window seals, deteriorating bearings before significant damage is caused, electrical arcing, and leaks in air conditioning, air braking and EVAP systems.
Continue ReadingFast-Fit Manager Wins Michelin Competition
Fast-fit workshop manager Andy Smedley (38) has beaten 500 other entrants across the UK, displaying outstanding tyre knowledge. Andy Smedley, the workshop manager for Fast-Fit in Norwich, entered the Michelin Certified Programme competition after being put forward by his area manager. He answered all 47 questions on tyre technology correctly, securing him a place in the top ten for the semi finals.
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