FIA Publishes Charges Against Michelin’s F1 Teams
Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has published charges against the seven Michelin supplied teams that declined to take part in Sunday’s disastrous US Grand Prix. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said teams had “committed one or more acts prejudicial to the interests of a competition and the interests of motor sport in general.” Specific charges alleged that teams failed to ensure that they had a supply of suitable tyres for the race. Perhaps most controversially, the teams were also accused of making a demonstration damaging to the image of Formula One by pulling into the pits immediately before the start of the race”.
Continue ReadingP2 Technology Unveiled
Triple P, accessory supplier, has launched Tenneco Automotive’s DNX performance exhausts range, as part of the continued rollout of the brand in the UK aftermarket. The range features universal and direct fit mufflers and tips. The exhausts are specifically designed to lower backpressure and increase horsepower and torque, explains the company. The products utilise ‘P2’ technology something the automotive industry has never seen before claims Triple P. P2 technology is a highly polished stainless steel ensuring maximum durability and, duel-perforated partitions for unique tuner sound and performance says the supplier.
Continue ReadingMaxxis Key Account Manager
Maxxis International UK plc has appointed Neil Gooch as Key Account Manager. With 20 years experience in the field, his main responsibilities will be to develop sales in the high-speed trailer, ATV, turf, and small implement tyre markets. Speaking about his new post Neil said: This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. Maxxis stands for quality and innovation. I’m thrilled to be a part of its continual development.
Continue ReadingFormula One Autocentres Opts for MAM Software
MAM Software has announced that it has completed the successful installation and commissioning of a new Autopart business management system at independent tyre retail chain Formula One Autocentres. The new system is now fully operational and is being productively used in all 37 Formula One stores across the South, South East and the Midlands. The installation of this new Autopart software has given Formula One Autocentres a fully integrated system capable of supporting their fast-fit, servicing and MoT business. The system links over 100 users with a central database at the companys head office in Stevenage. Using dedicated communication technology developed by MAM, it enables Formula One to maintain data centrally and pool statistics from each of its 37 branches. It also provides the ability to transfer stock between branches whenever required.
Continue ReadingMichelin Tops Up UK Pension Fund
A report in the Daily Telegraph revealed that Michelin is making two emergency payments, together worth nearly £60 million to plug a £286 million black hole in its UK pension scheme. According to the report, Michelin employs 3,500 in the UK and its final salary pension scheme has 5,500 active members, 9,500 pensioners and 11,000 deferred members. The final salary scheme was closed to new members last September and employee contributions rose to 5.25 per cent (from 3.25 per cent) in April. Michelins contribution is 13 per cent of salary.
Continue ReadingGT Batteries Available Same Day
Group Tyre (UK) Ltd. is now offering an up-to-three-times-daily delivery service for its GT Ultra Start range of batteries. Chairman John Church said: Our research has shown that even franchised dealer networks frequently cannot supply from stock, leaving customers frustrated and having to search for a stockist. At Group Tyre, we provide the answer, with our GT Ultra Start branded batteries available ex-stock on a same-day basis.
Continue ReadingAutomotive Hazardous Waste Service Launched
A service to help garages, workshops and automotive centres deal with the disposal of hazardous waste in line with the new July waste regulations has been introduced by waste disposal specialists, the OSS Group. The HazTech package provides a guaranteed scheduled collection for all hazardous wastes including oil, filters, batteries, solvents, brake fluid and aerosols. Under the service guarantee late collections will mean customers get the next collection free. Costs are based on a set pick-up price after which customers are only charged for the actual number of waste containers emptied at the time of collection. Containers that comply with regulations for each waste type are supplied on a weekly rental basis and the frequency of the collections depends on individual customer needs.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Wants F1 Tyre Contract
Bridgestone has put itself forward to be the sole F1 tyre supplier if Max Mosleys 2008 regulations come into place. “We want to showcase our technology,” said the manufacturer’s technical manager Hisao Suganuma, “even with a one make situation. We want to be in Formula One.” FIA president, Mosley, claims that imposing a single slick tyre would improve safety and reduce the need to test. It will also ensure that no team is affected by being “contracted to the wrong supplier”, an FIA dossier read.
Continue ReadingFederal Launches “Federal Motorsport”
Federal Corporation held its annual shareholder meeting in Chungli, Taiwan last week announcing the launch of “Federal Motorsport.” The manufacturer’s new tyre lines, are a result of “years of intense research and testing by Federal Technical Center (FTC),” said Jamie Ma, president of Federal Tire. Two distinct series’ will make up Federal Motorsport – the street-legal 595 Competition Series and the exclusive, limited production FZ Combat Series for professional circuit use.
Continue ReadingFirst Stop Dealer Says Thanks
First Stop dealership Wilson’s Tyres and Exhaust Centre has found a novel way to say thanks to its customers for their support through the year, with a golf day at a course in Cambridgeshire. “This is the seventh year running we have held the golf day,” said Nigel Wilson, manager of the outlet in Eaton Socon, “and it’s getting more and more popular each year.” “It’s always a fun and relaxing day, and a great way for us to get to know our regular customers better,” added Mr Wilson.
Continue ReadingSilverstone Produces More ‘Premier Tyres’
Silverstone Bhd has expanded its range of premier tyres to remain competitive in the market, according to managing director Phang Wai Yeen. “We have been paying lot of attention to research and development since our inception in 1990 and that is why we have been making headway in the luxury and motor sport segments,” Mr Phang said during a visit by Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin to the company’s plant in Kamunting, near Taiping.
Continue ReadingBFGoodrich to Compete in World Rally Championship
The 2006 World Rally Championship will not be a battle between Pirelli and Michelin, but BFGoodrich and Pirelli. The French manufacturer has decided to substitute Michelin name for the brand that uses to compete in the Rally Raid World Cup.
Continue ReadingKayaba Continues Sales Appointments
Kayaba UK has continued to strengthen its sales team with three new business managers. Each will be responsible for managing Kayaba’s existing accounts across the country. Responsible for the Midlands and North West, Paul Tranter, joins Kayaba from motor industry suppliers Febi Bilstein. Stephen Moore, who previously worked as an area sales manager at FAI Automotive, will cover Scotland and the North East. Morris Gordon will be in charge of the South East and comes from LDV UK where he held the position of area sales manager. Matt Robinson, sales manager says: “Our new business managers will each be responsible for their own region enabling Kayaba to develop its relationships with existing customers to ensure that we continue to fully understand their needs and meet their requirements. “This is a very exciting year for Kayaba, with us also recently having improved our aftermarket operations in the UK by opening an additional warehouse facility, enabling high-speed delivery targets to be met.”
Continue ReadingConti Promotes Guildford
Continental has promoted Barry Guildford to the post of general sales manager for the industrial tyre division. He will be responsible for Continental’s original equipment and replacement industrial tyre business in the UK. “I am delighted to have Barry take on this new role, especially as the industrial division is going from strength to strength,” said Arthur Gregg, Continental’s business director for commercial tyres. “His extensive marketing experience and success in re-invigorating the truck replacement brand makes him ideally placed to drive industrial sales activity forward.” Mr Guildford joined Conti in 2001 as truck and remould brand manager and was subsequently promoted to commercial marketing manager.
Continue ReadingMoving On
Having grown out of its current premises work has begun on Pro-Align’s new headquarters in Northamptonshire. The new site is located at ‘The Old Orchard’, Greens Norton and when completed, will offer bespoke offices, workshops, warehousing and an alignment bay. Carl Potter, Pro-Align’s general manager commented: “Everyone at Pro-Align is really excited about the new site as we have literally out grown our current unit. We pride ourselves on our already high level of customer services, but the new building will mean we can expand our range and stock, offer further courses in the purpose built training facility and also provide a retail alignment centre for the surrounding area too. All in all the new premises will enable us to build a future for alignment”. The company expects to move into its new premises at the end of the year.
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