Tyre Industry Update
Continental has reintroduced its annual industry review and we will bring you a full report on where Continental sees the state of the UK tyre industry and its role in the market.
Continue ReadingMobiles make an impact; mobile phones that is …
On the truck side, and doubtless on the fleet car side in future, tyre management has become king in controlling ppk and fixed price tyre contracts. The computerised analysis of data is not an uncommon concept and many firms have been utilising computer data management for their tyre contracts for some time. The weak link in the chain has always been at the data collection end of the chain. Fitters or inspectors checking and recording tyre data with clipboards is a slow process, subject to much error and the vagaries of the weather. Once the data is collected it then needs to be keyed into the database, a laborious and tedious process subject to much potential for error. There are systems available where electronic data gathering is made possible with wireless connections from tyre depth gauges to PDAs thence to the computers back at base. However, there is a reluctance to buy into, or use, electronic data gathering equipment. Conventional tyre depth gauges and pressure gauges are still the tool of choice. This leaves the main element (manpower excluded) in data collection the point at which the data is actually collected. InfoRoute had what it believed to be the answer to tyre management software, but time and time again fleet tyre management people would listen keenly and respond to any presentation with the statement that “it is the data collection that is the weak point.” InfoRoute realised that the challenge to be faced was not so much one of selling the software but creating and perfecting the data collection link to improve the collection and flow of tyre inspection data. This was the challenge InfoRoute faced. Truck Tyre Manager, a powerful tyre management PC program had already been developed but data input had to be automatic with no delays. The traditional data collection route could give information as much as six working days out of date. What was needed was a simple to use, readily accessed, cheap, weatherproof system. InfoRoute found the ideal solution was already in use by every tyre fitter in the country: a mobile phone. Everyone already knows how to use a mobile phone, so that immediately removes acceptance, training, support and cost issues. One hand operation lets you check tyres and enter details at the same time. InfoRoute calls the system Inspector Link. InfoRoute developed special programs to receive and send vehicle and inspection details between Truck Tyre Manager on the PC and the phone. Working closely with tyre fitters and managers InfoRoute designed single key input routines to guide the tyre inspector. First of all a vehicle is selected by entering the start of the registration or fleet number. The wheel configuration displays and the speedometer reading is entered. Then the front off side tyre is highlighted. Select the make, enter the depth and if there are no faults move on to the next tyre. If the tyre has a problem simple menus allow the inspector to pick a fault and select the action needed. At any time the inspection can be reviewed and altered. A “view actions” menu highlights vehicles needing attention. At any point the inspection can be completed and details transmitted back to the office. Vehicles not yet checked remain on the phone to be checked later. The phone operates off line, so there is no connection charge while you are inspecting vehicles and it does not depend on having a signal. Inspector Link can be used anywhere. Protected by a weather proof case, fastened to the inspector wrist by a cord the unit can’t fall to the ground. So far InfoRoute has not had any equipment failures or breakages. It doesn’t need any special computer equipment to transmit data, it is just like sending a text. In about a minute you can send and receive details of hundreds of vehicles.
Continue ReadingGM Award for Pirelli
Pirelli has been named Supplier of the Year by General Motors. This title is awarded annually for outstanding performances as a supplier to the car industry. Pirelli is an example for a type of company with which we want to find our way to a world-wide leading position, GMs Bo Andersson said during the award ceremony last week-end in Prague. With this award General Motors underlines the effectiveness of our market strategy in the United States and Northern America, said Francesco Gori, general manager of Pirellis tyre sector.
Continue ReadingPirelli Buys Telecom Stake
Pirelli has exercised its option to acquire 0.46 per cent of the capital of Telecom Italia, the telecomunications group. The transaction involves the purchase of over 47 million ordinary shares at a price each of 2.12 Euro.
Continue ReadingHayes Lemmerz International Reports Strong Operating Profit
Hayes Lemmerz International has reported an operating profit of 62.0 million US dollars for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004, compared with an operating loss of 0.3 million US dollars in the previous period. Earnings from operations excluding the impact of certain gains and expenses related to the emergence from Chapter 11 was 43.9 million US dollars for 2003, compared to 44.2 million US dollars in 2002. Gross profit margin increased to 10.7 per cent from 10.4 per cent. Sales for 2003 were 2.1 billion US dollars, an increase of approximately 3 per cent over 2002 sales.
Continue ReadingKumho withdraws race tyres
Kumho Tire U.S.A. is recalling some 1,400 ECSTA V710 competition tyres because of inconsistent test results relating to tread splice and tread area durability. Kumho have said, Kumho Tires priority is safety, and we are committed to supplying our customers with the highest quality and best performing tyres that are available anywhere in the world. It is with this philosophy in mind that Kumho is taking immediate action in discontinuing the sale of the ECSTA V710 Competition Tire. The sale of the ECSTA V710 Competition Tire will be discontinued immediately, and tyres in use in the market will be collected from consumers. Kumho will replace them with either the Kumho ECSTA V700 or Victoracer tyre free of charge.
Continue ReadingGoodyear To Buy Remainder of Sava
In June, Goodyear will exercise its option to acquire the remaining 20 per cent of Slovenian tyre manufacturer Sava for approximately US$ 52 million. Goodyear originally purchased 60 per cent of Sava in 1988, acquiring another 20 per cent four years later. So far Goodyear has invested in excess of US$ 100 million in modernisation. Last year, the Sava factory at Kranj produced over seven million tyres for cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. More than 80 per cent of these were exported, to 70 countries.
Continue ReadingEast African Community free trade threatens Firestone
The development of a free trade area by the EAC and the introduction of zero-rate tax on tractor tyres could eat into Firestone East Africas local market share according to local commentators. Further, a decision by the company to develop an equity retail chain is being met with resistance by the tyre trade. It is claimed that outgoing managing director Hiroshi Yamazaki had already expressed concerns that the new tariff decision by the government would severely affect the firms tractor tyre product line, which employs about 150 people. Sources said unless the firm improves its level of efficiency, monthly production capacities of 900 for tractor tyres and 2,500 for truck and bus tyres would fall. Even in Africa the market for light trucks and passenger vehicles has been facing heavy pricing pressures as a result of both the flooding of the local market by cheap imports and counterfeits.
Continue ReadingIndian manufacturers hike prices
Due to rising natural rubber prices in international markets, tyre makers across India are planning to increase prices in replacement markets. Prices are expected to go up by around 3-5 per cent by April-end. We have already hiked our prices almost four times in the past 12 months. And the input costs have shown no signs of softening, says Sunam Sarkar, director of Apollo Tyres. Prices of rubber alone have seen a 30 per cent jump year-on-year.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Europe Director For Nokian Board
At its Annual General Meeting, Nokian Tyres elected Mitsuhira Shimazaki, Director, Sales Administration, Bridgestone Europe, to the Nokian Tyres board of directors. A year ago, Bridgestone announced that it would take a stake in Nokian (nearly 19 per cent) for 78.34 million Euro. Also at the AGM, Nokian agreed to pay a dividend of 1.56 Euro per share.
Continue ReadingSmarTire Installed on Monorail in Las Vegas
SmarTire Systems tyre pressure monitoring systems have been installed on the Las Vegas monorail by Bombardier Transportation. Bombardier is providing all the mechanical and electrical systems for the fully automated monorail system. The Las Vegas monorail is a driverless, state-of-the-art urban public transportation system that will operate on a route approximately 4 miles long on the east side of the famous Las Vegas Strip connecting 8 major resorts, over 24,700 hotel rooms, and 9 convention facilities, including the worlds largest convention centre.
Continue ReadingSix gone at Maxiprest Board
The resignation of six directors from Bridgestone Firestone Maxiprest cost the company some experience but that has been remedied by some new appointments. The company still, however, lacks an MD. The reasons for all the resignations are not clear, but at the bottom of it appears to be a rift between 66 per cent owner Bridgestone Firestone SA and the tyre suppliers management.
Continue ReadingHayes Lemmerz plant closure
Hayes Lemmerz International has announced a manufacturing rationalisation plan for its North American Wheel Group which will significantly lower operating costs and increase efficiency. Hayes Lemmerz is to close its Howell, Michigan manufacturing facility and transfer that plants production to other manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
Continue ReadingSmarTire for Kuala Lumpur Monorail
SmarTire Systems tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) has been installed on the monorail system in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The SmarTire system was supplied by Rodgard, a division of Hutchinson Industries, and utilises their run-flat systems that the monorail cars ride on. This development of SmarTires TPMS technology expands the Companys global market and sales potential. Its incredibly important for the monorail operator to know if any tyre on the train has a problem, says Joe Duffy, Technical Sales Manager for Rodgard. Our runflat systems enable the train to continue running, but it is the SmarTire TPMS that tells the operator that a tyre problem has occurred, allowing them to take preventative action.
Continue ReadingFined again for 20,000-tyre dump
A man who dumped 20,000 tyres on a North Wales industrial estate escaped a 140,000 pound fine when the court heard he had no assets and was on incapacity benefit. However, he was fined almost 3,000 pounds and ordered to pay costs when he appeared before Flintshire Magistrates Court. An 8,500 pound Crown Court fine imposed last summer for illegally dumping the tyres has still not been paid. The site owner has lost 20,000 pounds in rent and will have to pay 20,000 pounds to have the tyres removed.
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