Two Dozen Senior Execs Leave Bandag Europe
As many as two dozen of Bandag’s senior managers, including Peter de Cabooter, sales director Europe and Lennart Lindstroem, production director Europe, are said to have left the company last week. There are no specific details of whether the executives left voluntarily or were asked to leave. While there are not many confirmed details, it is clear that Bandag is losing ground in the European market.
Continue ReadingPirelli Strengthens its Global Footprint
The Pirelli group’s tyre division is consistently moving towards achieving its expansion plans. Under the guidance of Francesco Gori, arguably the architect of the Pirelli Tyre Company as we know it today, the company has built a MIRS factory on a greenfield site in Georgia, Rome, as a way of making a new start in the US; the world’s largest tyre market. In the meantime Pirelli’s bread and butter sizes are finding their way into the US from another new, ultramodern factory in Salvador, Bahia – a factory that also makes Pirelli a strong competitor in this region. In all probability Pirelli will establish a remarkable position in what is not only the largest tyre market in the world, but also one of the most important. More...
Continue ReadingAnalysts Change Recommendations for Cooper and Sumitomo
Deutsche Bank analysts have published a “buy” rating for shares in Sumitomo Rubber Industries. The bank says it sees potential for the company’s share price to grow in the region of 20 per cent. “SRI’s earnings are much better than expected and the acquisition of TBC Tyres in North America through Sumitomo Corporation brings additional positive aspects,” Deutsche Bank representatives reported. At the same time the bank’s analysts lowered their expectations for Cooper shares and issued a “hold” rating for the company’s stock. Analysts from Deutsche Bank lowered their expectations to $13.50. “Due to weaker demand the company is obviously not meeting the turnover target this year,” the analysts commented.
Continue ReadingContinental to Increase Low Cost Production
Continental is to increase its production capacity in so-called low cost European countries by 3-4 million units each year, analysts have reported. Given the fact that labour costs in Western Europe are five times higher compared to Central and Eastern Europe the Deutsche Bank analysts calculate a competitive advantage of five euros per tyre.
Continue ReadingATS Website Goes Live
The new Automotive Trade Show website has gone live at www.atshow.com. Visitors will be able to book entry tickets and plan their visit to the show. They will also be able to research exhibitors and details of their exhibits through the A-Z listings and product locator.
Continue ReadingFirst CM Primary Shredder for Japan
Columbus McKinnon Corporation, Sarasota Florida Operations and e&Resources of Seoul, Korea are proud to announce the sale of the first CM Primary Tyre Shredder and CM Liberator to be installed in Japan. The equipment has been purchased by the Takahashi Shoji Corporation, which is located on the north island of Hokkaido in the city of Obihiro.
Continue ReadingSafer Gate Access
Safety specialist Fortress Interlocks has introduced an ingenious new design of Slide Bar for use with its AutoStop gate switch unit. The robust Slide Bar, cast from stainless steel, can be used on both hinged and sliding doors and claims to provide an enhanced level of safety without compromising functionality and ease of access. As well as providing all the safety features of a gate switch, the Slide Bar design ensures the power cannot be turned on simply by slamming the door behind an operator. The Slide Bar also features padlock holes for lock-out operations and an internal release handle which acts as an emergency stop.
Continue ReadingBERU F1 TPMS for World’s Fastest Car
Diss-based BERU F1 Systems has been chosen to supply its digital tyre pressure monitoring system DigiTyre for the world’s fastest road car, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. This is the system’s first OE application and a rare example of direct technology transfer from F1 to road car. With temperatures reaching over 100°C and G forces exceeding 2900G, traditional OEM tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) would struggle to last, thus necessitating the DigiTyre derivative.
Continue ReadingSubaru Impreza to Ride on Bridgestone Potenza RE92 Tyres
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) announced that the 2006 Subaru Impreza will be fitted with Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tyres. Impreza WRX sedan and wagon models will sport the Potenza RE92 tyres in size 215/45ZR17. ”Interlocking triangulated blocks and circumferential grooves in the tread design” enhance wet, dry and snow traction, according to BFNAT. “The computer-enhanced tread design also minimizes road noise, and the tyre’s polyester cord body promotes ride comfort,” the manufacturer added.
Continue ReadingAmerityre Adds Johnsen to Board of Directors
(Akron/Tire Review) Amerityre Corp has appointed Kenneth C Johnsen to its board of directors. Johnsen currently serves on the board of directors of mining equipment manufacturer Joy Global Inc. in Milwaukee. Previously, Johnsen was a director, president and chief executive officer of Geneva Steel in Vineyard, Utah. He also served as executive vice president, secretary and general counsel for Geneva Steel. “The appointment of Ken Johnsen to the board of directors is another step towards Amerityre’s objective to attract highly qualified outside directors,” said Richard A Steinke, chairman of Amerityre’s board of directors. “Initially, we expect Ken will take an active lead in providing direction with our tire retreading technology.”
Continue ReadingToyo Promotes Tyres in Mod Prod Series
As far as motorsport is concerned, Toyo targets potential consumers by sponsoring the Toyo Tyres Modified Production Saloon Car Championship. This year’s winner, Gareth Porter, had more reason to celebrate than most having driven a 240BHP Peugeot 205 to victory beating the likes of BMWs along the way.
Continue ReadingAmtel Plans $250 million London IPO
Russian tyre producer Amtel plans to attract $250 million at an initial public offering in London next month, Reuters has reported. Amtel-Vredestein plans to sell 25 per cent of its stock at the IPO, which is planned for 10 November, the news source said.
Continue ReadingAftermarket Visitor Attractions
The Aftermarket Show is putting the finishing touches to its visitor attractions. The Live Action Arena, will be presented by Fulda Tyres, and will offer a 5,500 seater indoor arena for the duration of the event. An interactive driving experience will also be featured to the exhibition.
Continue ReadingBFGoodrich Dealer in Dakar
The last six winners of the Dakar Rally have claimed victory on BFGoodrich tyres. The manufacturer now has a special BFGoodrich team competing in next year’s event and wanted to offer tyre dealers the opportunity to win a place in the driving seat. And so the Adventure Raid was born.
Continue ReadingHayes Lemmerz Sells Aftermarket Brake Controller Business
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc is to sell its aftermarket brake controller business to Hayes Brake Controller Company, a limited liability corporation formed by Syncro Corporation of Arab, Alabama. Under the agreement Hayes Brake Controller Company will acquire all inventory, assets and intellectual property necessary to the operation of the aftermarket brake controller business. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
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