Bridgestone Officially Opens Chinese Plant
Bridgestone has officially opened its Chinese Jiangsu Province facility that produces rubber anti-vibration components for automobiles in China. The plant is in the city of Changzhou, about 160 kilometres west of Shanghai. Present at the ceremony were representatives from the Chinese government and municipal officials, as well as from Bridgestone. Tatsuya Okajima, a Bridgestone board member responsible for original equipment, and Hiromichi Odagiri a vice president and senior officer who serves as chief representative of Bridgestone tyre operations in China attended the event.
Continue ReadingToyo Fund Supports Overseas Projects
The Toyo Environmental Protection Fund has decided to expand its giving to not-for-profit orgnisations beyond Japan. Coinciding with the 60th anniversary year of Toyo Tire & Rubbers foundation, this move demonstrates the collective commitment of the Toyo Group to playing a public service role commensurate with its growing presence in the world.
Continue ReadingPrivate Venture Capital Company Acquires Credential
Credential Environmental Limited, one of the UK’s leading automotive waste collector/reprocessors, has been acquired by private venture capital company Ailsa3 Ventures. The Leeds based investment company has taken a 76 per cent stake in Credential, with management retaining the balance of the equity. Nigel Taunt, managing director of Impax Capital structured the deal.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster Wins £1 Million Contract
ATS Euromaster has made a tyre management service contract worth approximately £1 million with Days Contract Hire. The 8000 strong fleet of cars and LCVs will be supported by ATS Euromaster’s “Euromaster Car” online authorisation system, and a mobile fitting service. “We considered various types of tyre fast fit companies and decided to go with ATS Euromaster because they offered a competitive price and because their tyre expenditure would be managed more efficiently from headquarters in Aston, through their central invoicing system,” commented Aled Williams, general manager at Days Contract Hire.
Continue ReadingMichelin’s Commercial JV in India
Michelin-Apollo Tyres (MATL) has entered a joint venture with Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, India’s two biggest commercial vehicle makers, in a bid to sell radial tyres. The $85 million venture, to manufacture truck and bus radial tyres will commence by June 2006, reports BS Online, adding that the Pune plant will reach a capacity of 350,000 units by 2009-10.
Continue ReadingAirgo-Lift Prevents Manual Handling
Hofmann Megaplan has introduced the new ‘Airgo-Lift’ a wheel lifter for assisting tyre technicians with heavy wheel assemblies. Operated by air the machine fits under the shaft of a balancer and can raise wheels up to 70kg in weight. It can also move the wheel horizontally over the shaft to allow easy location of studs when flange plate mounting.
Continue ReadingBandvulc At ATS
Bandvulc Tyres will be showcasing Bandvulc Tyre Contracts (BTC), its tyre management system, at this years CV show, having committed £1/4 million to create semi-intelligent reporting software. A selection of tyres will also be on show, including the BD04 295/80R22.5 new generation drive axle tyre, the BDE1, 225/75R17.5 bead-to-bead remould and the B2K 385/65R22.5 super single tyre for trailers.
Continue ReadingFirestone Sponsors PPIR
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, (BFNT) has signed a new sponsorship agreement with Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR). The Firestone brand will now serve as the official tyre of PPIR for the Indy Racing League’s Honda Indy 225 IndyCar Series race on 21 August. “Becoming the Official Tyre at Pikes Peak International Raceway provides us a tremendous opportunity at Firestone,” said Al Speyer, executive director of motorsports, BFNT. “PPIR is in a great setting, with Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains as a majestic backdrop, and in the middle of a growing Colorado market where the Firestone brand is assured of receiving excellent exposure. Were quite pleased with the agreement and look forward to building on the Firestone-PPIR relationship to make racing even more popular with area fans.”
Continue ReadingKwik-Fit Criticised for Prices
A recent survey conducted by the Sunday Times has shown Kwik-Fit to be one of the most expensive tyre fitting chains in the UK. The publication’s research found the company charged up to 120 per cent more for certain types of tyre than outlets in the same area.
Continue ReadingContinental Reports Records on All Levels
The Continental group has reported a record-turnover of 12.6 billion euros (16.4 bn $US) for 2004. It has also posted an EBIT of 1096.4 million euros (1.418 bn $US). Its net profit reached 673.8 million euros (872 million $US). The company’s net debt also decreased by 473.6 million and stood at 695 million euros (899 million $US) at the end of 2004.
Continue ReadingATD to Supply GM Dealers
(Akron/Tire Review) American Tire Distributors (ATD), the largest independent retailer in the US, has entered into a contract to supply tyres directly to some 3,700 General Motors brand auto dealers in the US. ATD plans to provide an array of major brand passenger and light truck/SUV tyres to Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer, Saab and GMC Truck dealers under the new agreement. ATD, which has 71 distribution centres across most of the US, would be the primary replacement tyre supplier to GM dealers, according to the agreement, but reportedly will not actively solicit business from the car dealers. Reports also say that ATD is looking at developing similar deals with other vehicle manufacturers.
Continue ReadingTyre Disposal Company Fined
Two waste management companies have been fined a total of £140,000 at the Old Bailey. The fine followed a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation into an incident where an employee, Mr Thomas Akwasi Aseidu-Ampofoh was crushed to death under a telescopic reach truck.
Continue ReadingMaywood Launches New Catalogue
Maywood Equipment Group is due to launch the latest edition of its price list on 1 May. The new catalogue covers more than 50 different models including the Europa range of two and four post lifts, as well as scissor lifts. A number of OMER brand scissor lifts will be introduced in the updated brochure.
Continue ReadingTen Thousand Hours and Still Going
Firestone is beaming about the quality of its R7000 tyre after a recent visit to Suffolk farmer Ray Smith. Mr Smith made an enquiry about some new front tyres for his New Holland 8560 as the tread was low. Upon investigating the tyres, Terry Brown, Firestone area sales manager, found that the tyres were 11 years old. It was estimated that the tractor completed about 1000 hours a year, of which 40 per cent was roadwork.
Continue ReadingViking Appoints New Business Development Manager
Viking International has announced the appointment of Phillip Dingley as business development manager for the Central Area. Mr Dingley has over 30 years worth of experience within the tyre industry and joins the company after spending 18 years with ATS Euromaster. During this time he became regional operations manager and area sales and service manager. For Viking, he will be working from the Desborough warehouse and will be responsible for creating new business and developing sales in existing business. Commenting on his appointment, Phillip Dingley said: “As business development manager for the Central Region, it will be my job to ensure the continued growth and development in that area. It’s a big responsibility, but this is one of the main reasons why I was attracted to the position in the first place. I’m relishing the challenge in front of me.”
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