Private Brands Optimise Margins
It is not only manufacturers that sell tyres. Wholesalers too are getting more and more involved in the market with their own tyre brands, the so-called private brands. These brands offer a variety of advantages to the owner: they give the tyre wholesaler the opportunity to chose the market segment where they want to place these tyres and – even more important – they offer the wholesaler the opportunity to optimise its margins by determining the right price.
Continue ReadingMichelin Announces Commercial Price Hikes
(Akron/Tire Review) For the second time this year, Michelin North America (MNA) is raising prices on some of its commercial tyre product lines. Prices on Michelin and BFGoodrich branded replacement medium truck tyres will jump three to five per cent, MNA said. The increase will hit direct-billed fleet accounts as of 1 July, but won’t hit dealer accounts until 1 September, the company said. Prices on OTR tyres sold in North America will increase by an average of 7 per cent, from the same date. Prices on replacement market agricultural tyres sold in Canada will go up five per cent on average, while agricultural tyre prices for US customers will increase by an average of eight per cent, also from 1 July.
Continue Reading4×4 – Profitable Opportunities
Sales of SUVs and 4x4s are booming across Europe. This is reflected in a vast increase in sales of tyres fitted to these vehicles, with tyres for on-road use dominating the statistics. Tyres & Accessories will review this particular market, giving an insight into its future development and its profit making potential.
Continue ReadingChanging Truck Tyres on the Move
RTS Engineering has launched a completely autonomous ‘energy module.’ Billed as “the ultimate” in mobile tyre fitting equipment, the new product is made up of an engine, a hydraulic pump and a hydrovane compressor.
Continue ReadingBrityrex Review
This month sees the much-anticipated return of Brityrex. After an eight year absence the show is returning to Harrogate as Brityrex International and the organisers, ECI International, are determined to deliver exactly what they promised from the beginning - an exhibition dedicated to the tyre and related industries. As sponsor of the event Tyres & Accessories will provide an in depth report on the new show and assessment of the products on show.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Recalls 500,000 Valve Cores
Bridgestone is to recall some 500,000 tyre valve cores used in its tyres due to a pressure leak problem. The manufacturer reports that it has informed the Japanese Ministry of Land Infrastructure of its plans to recall the valve cores which were made by Asahi Metal, and produced between October 2004 and May 2005.Bridgestone said it has received reports of 20 cases of malfunction in Japan relating to the valve cores but no accidents. The affected tyres are only said to be available in Japan.
Continue ReadingATSE Pushes Cold Weather Tyres
ATS Euromaster is urging fleet managers to prepare their drivers for winter by placing orders for cold weather tyres before the end of July to ensure stock availability and delivery before the winter season sets in. The retailer’s interest coincides with the UK tyre industry’s recent commitment to create a cold weather tyre market in the UK, as opposed to a winter tyre market.
Continue ReadingContinental to Outpace Car Growth
“Continental AG will grow faster than automotive sector output in the years ahead,” chief executive Manfred Wennemer told an investment conference on Tuesday. “Also in coming years -- based on the orders we have in our books -- we will grow considerably faster than the relevant car (sector) production,” he said, noting that Continental grew some seven per cent faster than relevant automotive production in 2004.
Continue ReadingMichelin Suffers Tyre Theft
Michelin recently suffered the theft of one of its tyres during a British Superbike Championship event. A police investigation showed that the theft of one of its most technologically advanced tyres appeared to have been professionally carried out. In an effort to safeguard its industrial secrets, Michelin is reconsidering its involvement in competitive race series’ outside the MotoGP World Championship.
Continue ReadingGovernment Orders Inquiry into MG Rover Collapse
The directors of MG Rover are to face a full inquiry into their accounts and management of the collapsed car maker, The Times has reported. The inquiry, to be led by Guy Newey, QC, was ordered by Alan Johnson, the Trade and Industry Secretary, after a preliminary inquiry for the Department of Trade and Industry raised concerns. Witnesses can be forced to give evidence to the inquiry.
Continue ReadingApollo Tyres Suspends Production: Update
Following yesterday’s news of strike action at Apollo Tyres’ Vadodara factory the manufacturer has released more details of the circumstances surrounding the “illegal strike.” The industrial action is being conducted by only one of the three unions representing workers at the plant that employs roughly 3000 people, an Apollo Tyres spokesperson told Tyres & Accessories. None of the manufacturer’s other factories are reported to be involved in the troubles.
Continue ReadingGetting the Message Across
MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association) and RoadSafe welcomed both journalists and ‘opinion formers,’ including representatives from the AA, police and RoSPA, to the association’s test grounds in Nuneaton last month, to host comparative tyre tread depth tests and to promote the industry’s 3mm tyre replacement cause. To read more go to Subjects in Focus
Continue ReadingGetting the Message Across
“The UK aftermarket industry must play a key role in bringing the findings of new research into tyre performance to motorists’ attention” – this was RoadSafe’s message at its recent ‘safety in the wet demonstration,’ a message it successfully managed to impress on guests. MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association) and RoadSafe welcomed both journalists and ‘opinion formers,’ including representatives from the AA, police and RoSPA, to the association’s test grounds in Nuneaton last month, to host comparative tyre tread depth tests and to promote the industry’s 3mm tyre replacement cause. Guests were offered the opportunity to take part in a practical demonstration that aimed to further impact the tyre safety message. Four cars, each with one of the specified tread depths, 8mm, 4mm, 3mm or 1.6mm were available for guests to complete wet braking tests. The results were strikingly clear, the lower the tread depth the longer and further it took to stop the vehicle. A simple exercise, a simple message; yet despite the simplicity a large percentage of motorists drive on illegal levels of tyre tread. What the 3mm working group says is that it’s up to the UK tyre industry to do something about this and promote change.
Continue ReadingJiang Xi Federal Tire Doubles Capacity
Federal Tire’s subsidiary in Jiang Xi, China (JFT) will invest $30 million into equipment and people to double annual capacity to 5 million units a year, by the end of 2005. According to the company the investment is required due to an increase in demand for its tyres. The majority of the investment will go towards the purchase of curing presses, tyre building, uniformity inspection equipment and mixers as JFT increases the size of its current tyres and finalises plans for new additions to its product line. JFT manufactures a range of Hero and Federal brand tyres including UHP, PCR, SUV, light truck.
Continue ReadingApollo Tyres Suspends Production at Vadodara Plant
Apollo Tyres Ltd has shut its manufacturing plant in Vadodara, Gujarat. Local media reports attribute the closure to illegal strike action by one section of trade unions in the factory. As a result, shares in Apollo were down 0.8 per cent at 280 rupees in what the Reuters news agency described as “a slightly firm Bombay market”.
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