First Stop – 100 Partners Have Joined Since Its Foundation Two Years Ago
Barely two years ago, Bridgestone/Firestone Deutschland GmbH introduced the First Stop System to the German market with the intention of inviting tyre dealers to join this new form of cooperation. Since then, 100 dealers have already joined this system in Germany. And with more than 1,000 partners all over Europe, the system has spread across 16 countries, so far. In Germany, Prignitzer Falas GmbH in Pritzwalk (Brandenburg) is First Stop partner N° 100. With 24 employees serving customers’ needs, this shop is not only successful in selling tyres, but it also deals with passenger cars, agricultural and industrial machinery, as well as selling and renting trailers. Moreover, a driving school is also included. Passenger cars, trucks and tractors each contribute one third of the turnover. This company has been a Bridgestone/Firestone customer since 1993. The First Stop idea is very simple: enhancing their line by the house brand First Stop, Bridgestone/Firestone grants exclusive selling rights for this economically-priced tyre to its partners. Thus, both the summer tyre FST 2000 and the winter tyre First Stop Winter were born. Furthermore, the First Stop package also includes a uniform image and individual training programmes, covering technical and business know-how. Dealers who opt for cooperation will be furnished with substantial marketing support, which covers the complete advertising and POS segment, as well as training programmes. As their commitment to the tyre manufacturer, First Stop partners promise to always use up-to-date equipment to cope with the latest tyre technology, to join training programmes regularly and to always offer a proficient and friendly complete service for customers.
Continue ReadingProtectionist Tax In Tanzania Harms Locals
The Tanzanian parliament was told yesterday that the Arusha-based General Tyre factory was coping with producing passenger car tyres but was failing to produce truck tyres. Government taxes on imported truck tyres were punishing domestic businesses which had little choice but to buy imported Bridgestone and Michelin truck tyres.
Continue ReadingTelecom Italia Deal “Could Lead To Pirelli Merger”
There are reports in the press that the recent deal whereby Pirelli acquired control of Telecom Italia, could result in some sort of merger, perhaps even a three-way alliance between Pirelli, Olivetti and TI. Pirelli Chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera says that the structure above Telecom Italia needs to be simplified but he could say no more until all options had been studied and evaluated.
Continue ReadingContract Between Nissan and Hayes Lemmerz
Hayes Lemmerz International has been awarded a contract from Nissan Japan for cast aluminum wheels. The wheels are currently being produced at the Hayes Lemmerz Antwerp, Belgium manufacturing facility for export shipment to Nissan Motor, in Japan. The contract is valued at an estimated $11 million.
Continue ReadingFirestone Settles Another Case In Texas
Bridgestone Firestone USA has paid an undisclosed amount of money to relatives of a woman who died after an Explorer rollover in which her son was also injured. It will be interesting to see what Ford will do. Two weeks ago it was the other way around when Ford settled a case first and Firestone agreed later to pay US$7.5 million.
Continue ReadingBetter In Business With Michelin – New Program In Germany
In Germany, Michelin is offering, what it calls target-dealers a contract with a Bib-Program, meaning Better In Business. Michelin has developed a multi-brand strategy with its Michelin, Kleber and BFGoodrich brands and is offering important extras to the dealers who have to agree to give the group brands a certain portion ( the majority) of their total purchasing. As our sister magazine, NEUE REIFENZEITUNG, says: The multi-brand-strategy has arrived in Germany.
Continue ReadingMore Firestone Tyres To Be Replaced
The US Government has asked Firestone to recall another 3.5 million tyres. Shigeo Watanabe, president of Bridgestone stressed that this was not a recall, but a replacement programme as Bridgestone Firestone had not admitted any defects. The tyres being exchanged are P235/75R15 and P255/70R16 fitted to Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs up to 1998.
Continue ReadingBusiness Award For “En Tire”
One year into their partnership, TRW and Michelin announce their first business award with a major European original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The product, called En Tire, is a state-of-the-art tyre pressure monitoring (TPM) system underscored by the radio frequency technology of TRW and the tyre experience of Michelin. To extend beyond their existing development programmes, TRW and Michelin are actively the next generation TPM system for production in 2005.
Continue ReadingQuality Standard Re-Awarded To Kwik-Fit GB
Kwik-Fit GB has been re-awarded ISO 9002 quality accreditation, following an external audit of 26 of the companys centres, four divisional offices and the fleet office. The company gained its first quality certificate (which used to be called BS 5750) in 1992 and the latest re-certification is valid until the end of 2003.
Continue ReadingSales Of Explorer Not Affected By Tire Recall
As US automotive sales figures revealed that the US domestic product was facing a massive slump in sales compared to almost universal increases by imported marques, sales of the Ford explorer held up against the national trend with sales rising 3.8% on the 1999 figure, despite the bad publicity onslaught from the Firestone recall.
Continue ReadingPositive Signs For Goodyear?
In discussions with analysts from the DB Group, Goodyear management expressed optimism that it might achieve a larger slice of OE business from the Detroit car manufacturers, at the expense of Firestone. Goodyear said it had received an order from Ford for 1.8 million tyres and is hoping for another big order from General Motors. Spokesmen from Goodyear said that they would resist Chryslers request for price reductions in order to overcome the difficult situation at Chrysler. At the end of January, many contracts between Firestone and its dealers expire and Goodyear is confident of winning over many of these dealers. On the other hand, Goodyear admits that the medium and heavy truck business will remain difficult during 2001. All in all, the analysts see more positives than negative risks at the moment, but they did not recommend Goodyear shares.
Continue ReadingOne Fifth Of DaimlerChrysler Workforce To Go
DaimlerChrysler has announced that it is to cut 26,000 jobs globally over the next three years, which equates to 20 per cent of the groups workforce. Production will be stopped or curtailed at 13 factories, cutting capacity by 15 per cent. DaimlerChrysler has also told suppliers to reduce prices by 5 per cent.
Continue ReadingKaizaki To Resign As Bridgestone President
The US recall of Firestone tyres has claimed its latest victim, as Yoichiro Kaizaki, president and CEO of the Bridgestone corporation in Japan, is to resign. The resignation is regarded by many as an admission of poor handling of the public relations side of the recall. From the beginning, Bridgestone/Firestone has been criticised for its mis-handling of the situation and the president of the American company, Masatoshi Ono, was replaced by John Lampe. The recall problem began last August, but it was not until one month later that Mr. Kaizaki first commented on the situation, promising total support for the Firestone brand and trying to link the Ford Explorer with accidents, denying that the problem was solely down to the tyres. Mr. Kaizakis replacement will be Shigeo Watanabe (58) who is a senior managing director at Bridgestone, and who has a strong engineering background. His appointment is expected to be ratified at a shareholders meeting on March 29th. Mr. Kaizaki will continue to remain at Bridgestone as a full-time adviser to the board of directors.
Continue ReadingMalaysian Tyres Now Accepted World-wide
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers – Malaysian Tyre Manufacturers Industry Group claims that Malaysian manufactured tyres now conform to the highest international standards. Products have now been accepted in over 40 countries, including markets with strict regulations such as in Europe, Australia, US and Japan. Malayas four major manufacturers, DMIB Bhd, Goodyear Malaysia Bhd, Silverstone Bhd and Sime Tyres International Sdn exported over 2 million tyres in 2000.
Continue ReadingRubberNetwork Moves Forward
RubberNetwork.com, the electronic global purchasing marketplace set up by six tyre manufacturers, has taken a step forward. Transactions are due to begin in April and Bob Webster has been appointed as vice president of operations. A chief executive officer will be appointed at a later date. The organisation has also launched its own website.
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