Montoya Takes Italian Grand Prix
Juan Pablo Montoya has won the Italian Grand Prix delaying Fernando Alonso’s attempts to become world champion. The Renault team of Fernando Alonso and Giarcarlo Fisichella took the remaining podium spots. At Monza, all of the top eight points scoring cars were running on Michelin tyres. The highest placed Bridgestone shod vehicle was Felipe Massa’s Sauber-Petronas, which came ninth. The results are good news for Michelin. Whatever happens during the course of the next Grand Prix race, Michelin is now mathematically assured of manufacturers/drivers championship victory.
Continue ReadingATS Show Prices Down
The 2006 ATS is set to be 54 per cent cheaper than in 2001, says one of the people behind the organisation of the exhibition. Marketing consultant, Bob Sockl explained that prices had gone against the rate of inflation: “Whereas the Garage Equipment Association members who exhibit at the show every year have been aware of the huge cost reduction since 2004, it has come as a nice surprise for parts suppliers returning to the Show in 2006. With space costs as low as £59 per square metre, compared to £130 in 2001, exhibiting at ATS is a really cost effective way of meeting the managers and technicians who buy and fit replacement parts.” According to the organisers, it all began with the decision in 2004 to run ATS and the CV Show at the same time, in adjacent halls. The resulting economies of scale, with 651 exhibitors across the two means a 20 square metre area can cost £1180, ATS is within even the smallest company’s reach.
Continue ReadingNTDA Tyre Push
Members of the NTDA’s Northern Ireland region are planning a charity “Tyre Push” to raise money for a Children’s Hospice and to increase awareness of the industry’s 3mm campaign. The push will commence at Northwest Tyres in Londonderry on the 12th September and will conclude on the 12th November, taking in as many member depots as possible.
Continue ReadingBroadway Tyres Expands
Group Tyre UK member Broadway Tyres has just completed and commissioned a new 16,000 sq. ft. warehouse, adjoining the High Wycombe administration and distribution centre. The warehouse is designed to receive bulk container deliveries and is capable of handling up to 25,000 tyres. It increases Broadways capacity by 35 per cent and customers should experience even better levels of service, according to managing director Jonathan West, who said: This is a major investment which will ensure that we can provide an in-depth service with immediate turnaround to our distribution partners, retail stockists and the many motor dealers, whose tyre needs we manage.
Continue ReadingSmartire’s Independent Board
SmarTire’s president and CEO Al Kozak has resigned as a company director to “increase the independence of the board.” The company maintains that the resignation will have no impact on his duties as president and CEO. Robert Rudman, non-executive chairman of SmarTires board, said: Our objective is to move toward the creation of a totally non-executive, independent board in keeping with the spirit of Sarbanes-Oxley. We are now at a stage to expand the depth and experience of the board of directors.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Blimps Raise Hurricane Relief Efforts
Goodyear is to use its fleet of airships to encourage donations in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The only airships with electronic day and night signs, the blimps will use their signs to promote fund-raising efforts from the American public. Chuck Sinclair, senior vice president of global communications for Goodyear commented: “We talked about the possibility of flying signs over the affected areas, however it was agreed that the best way to offer immediate support is through an awareness campaign to alert the public where donations can be made. We recognise the relief efforts will go on for months, and we pledge our resources in support of these efforts as a way to keep the American public focused on the needs.”
Continue ReadingGM Issues Large-Scale Pickup/SUV Recall
Following numerous complaints from pickup and SUV owners, General Motors Corp has issued a US recall for 804,000 of its Chevrolet and GMC branded vehicles. The complaints refer to a problem caused by corrosion from road salt gets in between the casing surface and the sensor of the manufacturer’s ABS system. The problem is reported to lead to false readings, causing the anti-lock brakes to activate at the wrong speeds, alarming drivers and making stopping difficult.
Continue ReadingYokohama Rubber to Exhibit Advan at IAA 2005
The Yokohama Rubber Co, Ltd is to exhibit at the 61st International Motor Show (IAA) Passenger Cars 2005 in Frankfurt, Germany from September 13 to 25. The company’s exhibit will go under the theme of “Further Evolving Advan - A Global Flagship Brand.” Yokohama says it will show visitors its commitment to becoming a world leader in tyre brand development through three aspects - its flagship product line-up, OE activities and motorsports activities.
Continue ReadingAlcoa Offers to Buy $11 Million Stake in Russian Facility
Alcoa has announced that it has offered to purchase the remaining 18 per cent of the Belaya Kalitva (BKMPO) fabricated aluminium plant in Russia still held by shareholders following its acquisition from Rusal in January 2005.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Expands Steel Cord Facility
Bridgestone is to extend its steel cord Metalpha plant in Clarksville, America. The tyre manufacturer is investing $45 million in the expansion according to company spokesman Dan McDonough. Around 127, 365 square foot will be added to the site, along with $31 million of new equipment. The fast-track project is scheduled to be completed in November. Bridgestone Americas Holding has 38 facilities in North and South America. The company was formed in 1990 when Bridgestone U.S.A. merged with Firestone.
Continue ReadingTIA Helping Members Hurt by Hurricane Katrina
(Akron/Tire Review) TIA is offering resource assistance to its members in Louisiana and Mississippi stricken by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. “The devastation that has occurred in Louisiana and Mississippi is just beyond our imagination,” said Roy Littlefield, TIA’s executive vice president. “Like so many other Americans we are watching the news reports with great sadness. We are offering one central resource for our members, in the hope that it can alleviate some frustration and save them time in searching for contact information.”
Continue ReadingGoodyear Europe’s CEO Moves to Bunzl
Goodyear Europe’s CEO Mike Roney is to become the new chief executive of distribution and outsourcing group Bunzl PLC. Currently a non-executive director of the company Roney will take over from Anthony Habgood as of 1 November. Company chairman, Habgood, took on the executive role after the unexpected withdrawal of CEO-designate Christoph Sander in June.
Continue ReadingAmtel Tells of Vredestein Plans in Russia
(Akron/Tire Review) As part of its introduction of the Vredestein brand to the Russian tyre market, Amtel-Vredestein Holding said that it would import some 30,000 Vredestein brand tyres from The Netherlands and produce another 15,000 Vredestein tyres at its plant in Kirovsk, Russia. Next year, Amtel-Vredestein will import 200,000 tyres and produce about one million Vredestein branded tyres in Russia, the company said. Amtel has been reorganised as Amtel-Vredestein, 37 per cent of which is owned by Amtel Holdings Holland and 63 per cent by Amtel Exports, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amtel Holdings Holland.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Minority Opposes Buyout
A minority shareholder of Bridgestone Firestone Maxiprest, South Africa, wants to block the companys proposed minority shareholders buyout scheme according to news reports. The company offered minority shareholders Rand 115 cent a share. It said 35.5 per cent of shareholders had voted in favour of the scheme. However, Peter Burmeister urged shareholders to reject the offer. He said the company should pay shareholders 140c per share.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Completes Wingtack Sale
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co has completed the sale of its Wingtack adhesives resins business to Sartomer Company Inc., a unit of the French energy firm Total SA.
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