Ups and Downs for Goodyear in August
Goodyear claims to have increased replacement tyre shipments by 4 per cent over the previous years level. In August industry shipments of tyres to OE declined by 11 percent, Goodyears decline was less than the industry average. However shipments of commercial replacement tyres declined by more than the industry level of 10 per cent. Additionally product mix was unfavourable due to market share gains by Dunlop, Kelly and associated brands. Goodyear shipments of commercial OE tyres fell at the industry rate of 10.5 per cent. Outside the North American market Goodyear performed well in all other areas with increases in aftermarket car and tyres in every region, but some decline in most markets for commercial vehicle tyres. OE supply varied depending upon the application of the companys selective OE strategy.
Continue ReadingTwo British Teams In The Fulda Challenge
Nine Teams from seven countries will take part at the Fulda Challenge in February 2004 in Canadas Northwest Yukon Territory - two of the teams come from Great Britain. One team will be Gill Watson/Gary Bullen, who qualified last weekend in Sulden (Italy).
Continue ReadingBridgestone celebrates MotoGP success
On Saturday 20th September Bridgestone celebrated a podium finish for its rider Makoto Tamada at the Rio De Janerio MotoGP. The Pramac Honda rider produced an immaculate display to claim a thoroughly deserved third place finish marking Bridgestones first podium since deciding to enter the premier class at the beginning of 2002. Bridgestones ecstatic technicians could barely conceal their delight after watching Tamada cut a swathe through the field in the 24-lap race, run in searing hot temperatures at a sun-drenched Rio de Janeiro.
Continue ReadingWolverhampton car tyre production to cease
Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Limited has announced that it has initiated an information and consultation process with Union Representatives regarding possible redundancies as a result of the removal of car and radial light truck tyre production at its Plant in Wolverhampton, West Midlands. The company has advised the UK Department of Trade and Industry and our Unions today that we will be ceasing production of car and radial light truck tyres in Wolverhampton and that up to 420 associates could potentially be affected. The remaining production from Wolverhampton is unaffected by this decision, with tractor tyre manufacturing and other processes used in tyre production, such as mixing, calendering and retreading, continuing on the site.
Continue ReadingGoodyear claims to achieve flexibility, cost goals with USWA Pact
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has stated that its new labour contract with the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) meets the operational flexibility and cost-savings goals established prior to the negotiations. “Our goal for these negotiations was to achieve what some thought was impossible: a fair agreement that contributed approximately 1 billion dollars in cost savings and cost avoidance over its three-year term without a work stoppage,” said Robert J. Keegan, Goodyear chairman and chief executive officer.
Continue ReadingPirelli JD Power’s highest rated car/ compact van tyre
A study by J.D. Power and Associates in the USA places Pirelli highest in satisfaction for its original equipment car/compact van tyres among over 30,000 new vehicle users. Managing Director of the Pirelli Tyre Sector, Francesco Gori: “Pirelli’s strategy of attacking the North American original equipment market is producing significant results, thanks also to MIRS™ technology” Pirelli car/compact van tyres have been ranked highest by American motorists, compared to all the other original equipment brands included in the study. This has been confirmed by J.D. Power and Associates, one of the principal institutes for the analysis of the United States market, in its annual tyre research into the Index of Satisfaction, conducted among 30,478 owners of new cars.
Continue ReadingTIC wins international publicity for tyre campaign
The TIC has gained nationwide publicity for its campaign to have tyres dated. A recent press release on the need to dispose of aged tyres has been taken up by the US-based Strategic Safety LLC asking the NHTSA to require tyres to be expiry marked Tire manufacturers responded that the idea may not be realistic since there are so many variables that affect ageing. Its not so simple to just slap a date on it, said Dan Zielinski, a spokesman for the Rubber Manufacturers Association. A statement that flies in the face of the advice given out by the TIC, funded by the tyre industry in the UK, that told consumers consumers to replace unused tires if theyre older than 6 years and replace all tires older than 10 years. Zielinski said a discussion of expiration dates would be worthwhile, but said NHTSA shouldnt act without collecting some solid scientific evidence. Zielinski said tyre manufacturers had concerns that the end users would ignore the expiry date or see the move as another rouse to force the consumer to buy more tyres. NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson said the agency hopes to have a proposal on tyre ageing by June 2005.
Continue ReadingNew Pirelli Plant in Brazil
Pirelli has opened its new Feira de Santana factory in Bahia, Brazil. With a primary investment that amounts to about 120 million US dollars, the plant has 32,000 square metres of constructed area. The initial daily production is of to 2,500 high performance radial tyres, which will be destined to the domestic and Latin-American markets, as well as the American and European ones. In 2005, when the factory will be at full operating capacity, approximately 7,500 tyres will be manufactured a day. On a second phase, investments of more than 80 million US dollars are already proposed, which will allow the increase of the capacity of production to 13 thousand tyres a day.
Continue ReadingContinental is still bleeding in its North American tyre business
According to unofficial statements the Continental corporate group will pile up a three digit million loss with its North American tyre business this year. This heats up the speculation about the future of Continental’s problem-child, General Tire. A year ago, the German board is said to have even considered the sale of its truck tyre business. This plan had to be put aside because of a lack of potential buyers. Under the leadership of Manfred Wennemer Continental has positively strengthened its earning capacity, has reduced dept quickly and massively and is now capable for new acquisitions if there should be an attractive opportunity.
Continue ReadingContinental back in DAX
After a seven year pause Continental AG, Hanover, is back in DAX. On September 22, the international automotive supplier returned to the German stock market’s blue chip index. The announcement was made by the “Deutsche Boerse AG” in Frankfurt/Main. Continental, a founding member of the index, becomes the first company in DAX’s fifteen-year history to manage a comeback into the circle of Germany’s 30 largest companies.
Continue ReadingAmcast Refinances Casting Technology Company
Amcast Industrial Corporation has announced that its wholly-owned Casting Technology Company signed a credit agreement with The Provident Bank. This agreement provides for a three-year revolving line of credit of up to 5 million dollars and a five-year term loan of 3 million dollars. Joseph R. Grewe, President and CEO of Amcast, said, We are extremely pleased with this new credit facility for CTC. This demonstrates the confidence that The Provident Bank has in CTCs continuing improved performance. CTC has implemented a number of initiatives under the Amcast Production System which has resulted in improved quality and delivery to our customers as well as improved profitability for our shareholders. We look forward to a lasting relationship with Provident.
Continue ReadingRethink Retreads gets Welsh support
CWMre, the Welsh Market Development Initiative for recyclate managed by The Wales Environment Trust aims to develop economically and environmentally sustainable markets for recyclate.
Continue ReadingNTDA Conference 2004 set for Marbella
The Council of the NTDA has announced plans for the 2004 NTDA Conference to take place at Marbella on 23rd - 24th September. The conference will take the open format of the previous years event and will incorporate all elements of the aftermarket trade, being billed as the Entyre Aftermarket Conference.
Continue ReadingCall for renewal of tread depth laws
The NTDA is to work with its European partners and FARCO in Holland to press for a review of the Tread Depth laws. It is seeking a new legal minimum for car tyres of 2 mm for S,T and H, and 3mm for higher speed rated tyres.There will also be campaigning for an increase in the minimum legal limit on commercial vehicle tyres.
Continue ReadingMagowan joins Group Tyre
Northern Irelands Magowan Tyres has joined Group Tyre. This development gives Group Tyre coverage in Northern Ireland and coincides with Magowans move from general bulk wholesaling to a more structured and targeted regional wholesaler of quality branded tyres. Daryll Magowan jnr. Says, This is a new challenge for the business and we see the future as being more structured and more sophisticated. We will be developing the quality of our portfolio and offering a much improved quality of service to our wholesale customers. Magowan reported that the company was building an all-new warehouse with 30,000 sq ft of floor space with four tiers of storage giving an equivalent 130-140,000 sq ft of storage space. The new facility , which should be operational within seven months will also house a 22 bay fast fit operation that will se the company move into a wider area of fast fit service.
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