The Complete Package
In tyre circles the Kleber brand is a well-known name. And in mature European markets like France and Germany, the tyre is likely to be amongst the top ten brands that dealers call on. But what about the UK and the unique challenges that this market presents? With a new product set to be released in the early part of 2006, Tyres & Accessories took the opportunity to catch up with Kleber’s UK brand manager, Dominic Clark.
Continue ReadingAsia Rubtech 2006
The Asia Rubtech Expo 2006, is expected to attract around 900 delegates including 30 from overseas. The international conference, which will be organised by the Kerala and Mumbai branches of the Indian Rubber Institute (IRI) from will run from 23 to 25 November 2006 at Hotel Le Meridien in Kochi. Click here for contact details.
Continue ReadingEagle Revspec Wins Influential Australian Tyre Test
(Australia/Australian Tyre Dealer) The Goodyear Eagle Revspec RS-02 has won the best overall performance tyre award in the annual Wheels magazine tyre test for the second year running. The 235/45R17 performance tyre joins the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 as a Wheels award winner.
Continue ReadingB&J Rocket Relocate To New Office
From the 1 August B&J Rocket Sales AG will be located in new offices. According to executive manager, A Mueller, the previous arrangements were based on a number of small single offices and therefore were not as conducive to “communication and teamwork between staff” as they might have been. That’s why the company has relocated to open plan office space. Click here to see B&J Rocket’s new contact details in our infopool.
Continue ReadingJK Tyre Plans Latin American Production
JK Tyre is looking into the possibility of expanding its bias tyre production by making strategic share acquisitions in Latin America. “The demand for tyres, both in India and the international markets, is at a high. While we are expanding our production capacities in India, we also feel the need to source tyres from other markets to feed the growing demand,” said JK Tyre VC and MD Raghupati Singhania. At the same time JK Industries’ Mysore plant rolled out its millionth truck radial, marking a milestone for the company. The one-millionth tyre was presented at a function at the former Vikrant Tyres Truck Radial Tyre Plant that was acquired by JK Industries in 1996. Speaking on the occasion, deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah said the government’s decision to divest its stake in Vikrant Tyres had been vindicated. He said the capacity of the plant had increased from 100 tonnes in 1996 to 213 tonnes a day at present.
Continue ReadingHankook to Restart Talks With Other Countries
(Akron/Tire Review) Reports out of Slovakia say that Hankook Tire Co will restart negotiations with other eastern European nations regarding its plans for a 500 million euro tyre plant. Slovakia lost its exclusive bargaining rights after cabinet ministers rejected a government aid package worth some 110 million euros. It is expected that Hankook officials will renew talks with Poland and Hungary, the two the countries the South Korean tyremaker held negotiations with before it selected Slovakia in May.
Continue ReadingMaha Receives ATL Equipment Approval
Maha UK has reported that it is the first company to achieve class IV and VII GEA and VOSA approval for test equipment for Automatic Test Lanes (ATLs). The introduction of Automatic Test Lanes, (ATL) and one-man operation is due to be introduced by VOSA in September 2005.
Continue ReadingSupply Direct Gains Sole Distribution Rights
In February 2005 Supply Direct managing director, John Prout, closed an exclusive distribution deal with Chinese equipment manufacturer, Ever Eternal. Now, as a result of “mass demand” Ever Eternal exports its equipment to the UK at an accelerated rate. Supply Direct’s management team regularly visits China in order to maintain strong relations with the company’s supplier. The most recent visit was in July with product development for the UK market at the top of their agenda. With the company reporting such strong business in the UK, John Prout, hints that expansion into Europe could be the next step.
Continue ReadingLeno to Headline SEMA Banquet
(Akron/Tire Review) SEMA has announced that car junkie and “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno will perform at the 2005 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, on the 3 November, alongside the forthcoming SEMA Show. The banquet will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton Center. Leno has been a frequent SEMA Show visitor and has exhibited his own cars at the event. “SEMA has had the pleasure of displaying some of Jay’s extensive car collection in the past, now we are fortunate enough to have his extensive talent at the awards banquet,” said Mitch Williams, SEMA’s incoming chairman of the board. Tickets for general attendees will become available after 15 August on a first come, first serve basis.
Continue ReadingCooper’s newly-enlarged tyre and vehicle test centre features enhanced 4×4 capabilities
Across the Texas prairie, in a place where the staff occasionally encounter rattle snakes, Cooper’s 1000 acre Tire and Vehicle Test Center can be found. Originally constructed in 1999, the site has recently been upgraded through the addition of 4x4 and off-road testing facilities. Tyres & Accessories travelled to San Antonio to experience Cooper’s newly enlarged test centre first hand. The most recent developments at Cooper’s Tire and Vehicle Test Center (TVTC) prove that the $13 million it originally spent on the facility was just the beginning. Now the company has 4x4 testing capabilities and it is likely that there will be further additions in due course. For now the centre’s primary work is product testing and competitor benchmarking.
Continue ReadingTIC Survey Shows Worn Tyres Up
The TIC has released its latest survey figures, based on almost 30,000 tyres checked from March to November last year. These roadside checks involved almost half of all UK police forces.
Continue ReadingSapphire Construct New Site
Sapphire Energy Recovery is to open a new tyre processing site at South Trafford park near Manchester. The facility is set to be operational by January 2006 and will serve the surrounding and near-by conurbations. The new plant will begin processing 25,000 tonnes annually with the capacity to increase up to 50,000 tonnes. “This latest development is an excellent opportunity to serve our customers where the tyres are. This way our customers can spend more time on the road collecting tyres rather than coming to us,” said marketing manager Ryan Mifflin, adding: “The new site will be a bespoke plant to serve tyre needs. It follows our strategy of putting a site in every major city in Britain.”
Continue ReadingAzerbaijan Tyre Plant For Sale
96.98 per cent of the shares in the Azershin tyre factory in Azerbaijan are for sale. Commissioned in 1959, the Azershin plant is located in Baku, Azerbaijan and covers an area of 17.9 hectares. The plant produces 1.5 million tyres per year. The enterprise, with the charter capital of 8.9 billion manats ($1.87 million), employs 69 people and has 894,314 shares with a value of 10,000 manats each. Azershin has arrears amounting to 26.5 billion manats ($5.6 million).
Continue ReadingFirst TIC Product Endorsement
The Tyre Industry Council is to endorse tyre safety related products and services. The first such endorsement is an aftermarket product, allowing the motorist to monitor the pressure in his spare tyre and inflate it easily, if required.
Continue ReadingVarta Streamlines Blue Dynamic Range
Varta has embarked on a programme to enhance its premium Blue Dynamic range of replacement batteries, giving it virtually complete coverage of the UK car parc.
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