Rial Group Merges Companies into “Uniwheels”
As a result of increasing internationalisation and the expansion of business, the Rial group has decided to bring all of its business that are not pure marketing companies under the one unified name. The new group will be called “Uniwheels United Wheels Group,” the company has reported. As a result Rial’s Polish production unit, Rial Aluguss, will immediately be renamed “Uniwheels Production (Poland) Sp.zo.o.” However the firm’s existing distribution companies (Rial Leichtmetalfelgen GmbH, Alutec Leichtmetalfelgen GmbH and ARC Alurad GmbH/Wheels24.com) will keep their existing names.
Continue ReadingNatural Rubber Shipment Damaged
(Akron/Tire Review) Reuters reported last week that a ship carrying some 1,500 tonnes of natural rubber for delivery to tyre companies ran aground off the coast of Sumatra near Indonesia. Most of the rubber was reportedly intended for Bridgestone Corp and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co facilities in the US.
Continue ReadingEffects Still Unknown, But Katrina Forces Oil Reserves Open
(Akron/Tire Review) While rescue efforts continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which slammed into the US’s Gulf Coast near New Orleans and Biloxi, Missouri, Monday, government officials and business analysts are trying to piece together the impact that devastating storm will have on American industry and the global market – particularly oil prices.
Continue Reading150th anniversary at Harburg-Freudenberger
On 8 September 2005, Harburg-Freudenberger Maschinenbau GmbH will celebrate its 150th anniversary at the company’s Hamburg-Harburg site. Guests will include the mayor of Hamburg, Mr Ole von Beust. The senator for trade and industry, Mr Gunnar Uldall will also give a speech. Further guests expected include the president of Harburg’s Technical University, Prof Dr Edwin Kreuzer, his predecessor, Prof Dr Christian Nedeß, and the chairman of the parentcompany Lübeck-based Possehl, Mr Uwe Lüders.
Continue ReadingRoesler Still Looking at CTNA OTR Plant
(Akron/Tire Review) Various reports indicate that the Roesler Group is still negotiating to buy Continental Tire North America’s (CTNA) OTR tyre plant in Bryan, Ohio. Roesler officials and representatives from the United Steelworkers (USW) have been meeting, but no progress has been reported. Meanwhile, industry watchers in Europe remain curious about the deal, suggesting that Roesler’s relative size – the company posted sales of just $10 million last year, according to reports – may be of concern to the union, which is fighting to protect jobs. However, some observers suggest that the negotiated price for the factory actually favours Roesler.
Continue ReadingMutual Benefits
According to Group Tyre, Maxxis is fast becoming one of the most highly regarded ‘premium budget’ brands in the UK. Chairman, John Church, commented on the development: “In the last two years, we have invested major resources in developing the Maxxis brand in the passenger car, 4 X 4 and light truck sectors, promoting its quality and value-per-mile attributes, which have clearly resonated with trade and retail customers alike. These initiatives have assisted in creating a firm foundation of distribution outlets, for the brand in the UK, and we can confirm that the initiatives will continue, as we look forward to further developing the Maxxis brand.”
Continue ReadingTIA Announces Hall of Fame Inductees
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has announced the 2005 inductees into the Hall of Fame. These are Eugene Beck Jr., president of Beck Tire International and John Sieff, retired president of S&M Tire Company and Mr. Tire Service. This year an additional category – that of Historical Contributors -has been added for individuals, living or deceased, who have been out of the tyre industry for at least 20 years. There are four inductees; Fernley Banbury, inventor of the Banbury mixer, Theodore Smith, founder, president, publisher and editor of the India Rubber Review (now Tire Review) and Marius Mignol and Pierre Bourbon of Michelin, inventors of the radial tyre.
Continue ReadingSmarten Up Your Corporate Image
Corporate image and brand awareness have always been regarded as important by those involved in marketing. In the fiercely competitive automotive industry getting potential customers to instantly recognise a company’s products and services is a key factor to securing more business.
Continue ReadingIs e-Commerce Growing in Popularity?
10 years after the “dot-com” boom and bust, e-commerce technology is increasingly moving into the mainstream. Government statistics compiled at the end of 2004 show that 69 per cent of UK firms are now using broadband and that 30 per cent of micro businesses are trading online. Furthermore when these numbers were calculated, the proportion of smaller businesses with websites went up 16 per cent compared with the previous year, bringing the total to 73 per cent. In the same period the number of businesses that saw the benefits of e-technology rose from 8 per cent to 53 per cent. With this in mind Tyres & Accessories would like ask its readers what they think. How much of your business is handled using e-commerce technology? Click here to state your views.
Continue ReadingSteel Monolith Strengthens Cats
ArvinMeritor have introduced a steel monolith into the construction of their competitively priced range of EuroCat replacement catalytic converters. ArvinMeritor’s Catalytic Converter Sales Development Manager, Ian Hesp, said “We are responding to the needs of the garage trade who are crying out for a more robust product. It’s become increasingly clear that ordinary catalysts, using a standard ceramic monolith, are fragile.
Continue ReadingAwards For Truck Point Dealers
Four members of Truck Point, the network of independent truck tyre dealers, won awards at the first-ever Truck Point conference. The awards were made by major customers that use the tyres and services on offer from Bridgestone and the Truck Point network. Chris Deevey, head of purchasing for Ryder Europe, presented the Ryder award to Glyn Cainey, of Dexel Tyres, saying that the company had exhibited levels of service “second to none” and had been pro-active in reducing Ryder’s costs and downtime.
Continue ReadingRegulating Run-Flats
Bridgestone is urging tyre dealers across the UK to better understand the implications of fitting run-flat tyres. Despite continuing investment in the technology and an increasing number of run-flat tyres on UK roads, there have been reports of a lack of knowledge within the industry about how these tyres could and should be fitted.
Continue ReadingKumho Announces Price Hikes
(Akron/Tire Review) Kumho Tire USA Inc has announced price increases. Kumho said it will increase medium truck tyre prices by up to 4 per cent effective 1 October.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Files $350M Bond Offer
(Akron/Tire Review) According to CBS MarketWatch, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company late Monday filed to raise $350 million in a convertible bond offering. The offer consists of 4 per cent convertible senior notes due in 2034 and shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of senior notes. Goodyear said proceeds of the deal will go to selling stockholders including the Calamos Growth & Income Fund, Citigroup and Aristeia International Limited.
Continue ReadingOE Vehicle Manufacturers Sign Up for SEMA
As the automotive accessories industry grows and assumes even greater importance in both the U.S. and world markets, several automakers have made commitments to participate in the SEMA Show scheduled for November 1-4, 2005, in Las Vegas. The event will be especially significant as 14 original equipment manufacturer (OEM) brands – the highest number of OEM participants in SEMA Show history – will join with their partners in the specialty auto parts industry. In addition to OEM vehicle displays, the participating automakers will give SEMA members unparalleled access to technical data and a hands-on look at the vehicles that provide the basis for SEMA members’ products
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