NTDA: Reducing MOT Frequency Naive
A report by the HM Treasury, recommending major changes in the frequency of MOTs, has been labelled a “naive view of the contribution MOT’s make to safety on our roads” by the NTDA. “We have been aware for some time that the Treasury have been reviewing the current MOT regime in the UK,” commented NTDA director Richard Edy, adding: “These initial findings, that motorists would save £465million if the tests were done after the first four years and then every two years, takes no account of the importance of regular vehicle testing plays in reducing accidents on our roads.”
Continue ReadingHankook Tire’s Growth is Based on Quality
An investment of about 500 million euros (£340 million) into a new tyre factory is a clear statement of the future direction of a company. Hankook’s decision to invest in Central Europe rather than the US, Korea or China shows what an important role the European market plays in Hankook’s future growth and development strategy. The new factory, which will be built in the Hungarian city of Dunaujvaros, not only provides the company with missing production capacity close to important sales markets and cheap but highly-skilled workforce, but also goes far beyond the obvious, Seung Hwa Suh, president of Hankook’s European headquarters in Germany, says in an interview with Tyres & Accessories. There are three keywords that Mr Suh frequently uses to describe Hankook’s strategy for Europe and the rest of the world: quality/innovation, service and brand awareness.
Continue ReadingMcAndrew Gets New Post With Falken
(Akron/Tire Review) John McAndrew, who joined Falken Tire Corp. earlier this year, was promoted to director of dealer channel sales. He had previously served as director of business development. McAndrew held a number of executive positions with Yokohama, Sumitomo and Treadways.
Continue ReadingWireless and Paperless Fleet Data Recording from Pneu-Logic
Derbyshire-based Pneu-Logic has introduced a new wireless and paperless fleet data recording system. The company has gone into partnership with Goodyear Dunlop to market and promote the system. Pneu-Inspector is a hand held, easy-to-use, tyre tread depth combined pressure gauge which collects accurate tyre data and uses Bluetooth technology to communicate with a hand-held mobile computer. The result is real-time information, allowing fleet managers to view data about their tyres within seconds of them being inspected.
Continue ReadingSoopa Toobs Widens Speciality Portfolio
Soopa Toobs, a leading niche product supplier, reports that has widened it speciality offering. The tyre portfolio has been widened to include agricultural, industrial, lawncare, ATV and utility vehicle tyres, from such household names as Carlisle, Trelleborg, Goodyear, Dunlop, Eurogrip and others. The company also opened a new warehouse this year, which increases warehousing capacity by 300 per cent.
Continue ReadingWhich Is The UK’s Most Shocking Road?
Shock absorber manufacturer KYB has mounted a campaign to find the UKs most shocking road. It sounds like a bit of fun, but it has a serious point, as KYB is keen to draw public attention to the state of Britains roads and the damage being inflicted on the nations vehicles. Many roads are full of potholes and often have cracked tarmac and excessive traffic calming measures – speed humps especially are a major cause for complaint, particularly from drivers of low slung or heavy vehicles. Other hazards such as sunken or upstanding manhole covers also pose a threat to road users.
Continue ReadingSuccessful in the Speciality Niche – Carlisle Tire & Wheel
If the share price of its parent company is anything to go by, speciality tyre specialist, Carlisle Tire & Wheel, is having a successful time of it in the growing niche segment. Between year-end 2005 and the close of trading on 31 October Carlisle Companies’ share price has increased 21 per cent from $69.15 to $83.69. Carlisle used November’s SEMA show to highlight a number of new products within the ATV/Utility vehicle, ST Trailer and Industrial segments. And, further to this aim, the company’s new 2007 product catalogue is available now. The company also dedicated a section of its booth to its growing Carlisle Certified Dealer (CCD) network.
Continue ReadingNew Bandag Dealership in Turkey
Ulu Lastik Kaplama has become Turkey’s latest Bandag shop. The Bandag retreads produced and delivered by Ulu Lastik Kaplama are designed to help fleets reduce their tyre budget while increasing vehicle uptime. Owner Halil Ulu and his sons Menderes Ulu have more than 15 years of experience in truck tyre servicing. Ideally situated on the main road of Denizli, the tyre shop is within easy reach of the national road network and offers all tyre related services: wheel alignment, balancing, repair and fitting of truck and OTR tyres. The clear predominance of road transport and the retread ratio of 25 per cent in the region convinced Halil Ulu and his sons to opt for the only retreading system that really cuts tyre operating costs.
Continue ReadingTyre Industry Hits a Host of Roadblocks
(India/Rubber Asia) After over 70 years of its existence and continuous development, China’s tyre industry is on firm ground. The Chinese tyre-making sector has now evolved into a huge, full-fledged industrial system that continues to attract international attention. However, there are obstacles to be overcome. After becoming a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), China’s tyre industry entered the era of diversified ownerships. And, the industry transformed itself into three types of ownerships – state-owned or state-controlled, private, and foreign-funded enterprises – from a wholly state-owned system. Thus, China’s tyre industry has entered a critical period and, in the process, is facing new challenges and responsibilities.
Continue ReadingRiverside Seals £250,000 Deal With Tyre Shredder
Riverside Waste Machinery, a leading provider of waste equipment, has just delivered its biggest ever order. North Yorkshire-based Riverside Waste Machinery is the sole distributor of UNTHA shredders in the UK and has sold a £250,000 secondary tyre shredder to Ling Demolition Service Ltd, of Canterbury, Kent. This purpose-built Untha RS100 - 4 Shaft Secondary Tyre Shredder, was built in Austria by Untha. Riverside Waste Machinery, which is the exclusive UK distributor, says the new machine is now operating alongside a four-year-old pre-shredder that was manufactured by the same company.
Continue ReadingIndequip.co.uk – Online Engineering Products
Since its formation in 2003, Indequip has become a leader in the industrial equipment catalogue market, supplying through a network of distributors and resellers nationwide. Following on from the huge success of the Indequip catalogue, the company has made the natural progression on-line version. www.indequip.co.uk covers the full range of over 15,000 products, now with the ability to buy-on-line, no matter where you are. All items are generally ex-stock, for next day delivery throughout the UK, and users can pay by visa or on account. Paying by visa is secured through the Realex Payment Gateway, a secure method of on-line payment control. Log on to www.indequip.co.uk today to view the site for yourself. Alternatively Indequip can be contacted by phone on 01744 755177.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Wins Fiat Qualitas Award
Bridgestone was honoured with the Qualitas Award at the Fiat Suppliers’ Convention 2006. In a ceremony at the Lingotto location in Turin, Bridgestone was cited for its constant pro-activity and support in the development of tyres for Fiat Group car models. The convention is an annual event at which Fiat informs suppliers of current status and future programmes, as well as acknowledging partners who have distinguished themselves through high-quality performance during the previous year.
Continue ReadingSava Picks BTS as UK ATV Distributor
Bike Tyrestore has announced that Sava’s range of ATV tyres will be available in the New Year and that it is now the manufacturer’s sole UK trade distributor. Bike Tyrestore joint managing director, Peter Smith, told Tyres & Accessories the company would like to make contact with ATV tyre specialists, with a view to setting up area distributorships for this product range. “This may be of particular interest to farm tyre specialists and anyone else for whom ATV tyres are a major part of their business,” he explained adding: “Well be showing this new range at Expo in January (14 to 16 January, Stoneleigh-Park Exhibition Centre).” Quad magazine is expected to publish the first UK test soon. Further information is available from David Nolan on 0800 281 413.
Continue ReadingConti Lifecycle Process Results in Longer Tyre Life for Kent Haulier
Faversham-based Les Knight Transport Limited is one of the biggest container hauliers in the South East, running 23 tractor units and 15 tri-axle skeletal trailers on container work out of Dartford and Purfleet. It also provides a traction only service pulling other peoples trailers, which accounts for 20 per cent of its activity. The trucks run throughout the UK with the occasional foray into mainland Europe and each covers around 140,000 kilometres a year. The company invests heavily in its trucks, all of which are top-of-the-range models from MAN, Volvo, Scania and DAF and all under five years old. When youre spending such serious money on trucks its important that you also do everything you can to ensure they operate as efficiently, economically and safely as possible and tyres play a big part in this.
Continue ReadingPlimsoll: UK Tyre Industry Recipe For Uncertainty
A study of the UK’s leading tyres, exhausts and batteries companies suggests few are fully in control of their overall business strategy. The survey – by business analysts Plimsoll – indicates a remarkable inconsistency in the companies’ commercial and financial behaviour. Very few of the tyres, exhausts & batteries firms planning to come out on top in 2007 in terms of profit and sales will actually achieve their goals. David Pattison, senior analyst on the project, says: “In today’s highly competitive tyres, exhausts and batteries market you cannot sit still for a minute. If you have seen sales increase this year and good profits, there is a fair chance that next year you will not be able to maintain it. Likewise, if you did not increase sales this year you are going to have to set a priority of trying to grab some growth in the next trading period.”
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