IAAF Academy launched
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has launched a new training academy, designed to train, develop and upskill new and existing people working within the automotive aftermarket. The academy will evolve substantially when the new IAAF website goes live later this year, but IAAF has moved quickly to implement and promote initiatives and courses that support its growing membership.
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Bike Tyrestore partners with Suzuki Tyre Support Programme
Suzuki GB has launched the ‘Suzuki Tyre Support Programme’ in conjunction with Bike Tyrestore. The programme aims to grow aftersales business and increase customer footfall by offering the Suzuki dealer network a host of benefits.
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PRA welcomes Government help with energy costs, but warns more support will be needed
Following Prime Minister Truss’s plans to help businesses with energy costs for the next six months, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “We are pleased to see the Government’s recognition that businesses will require support to survive the winter.
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Encouraging signs in NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK, has conducted the Dealer Attitude Survey twice a year since 1989. Commenting on the results of the NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey Summer 2022/2023 published on Monday 12 September 2022, Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the NFDA, said: “Despite the unprecedented challenges facing the automotive retail industry, it is optimistic to see our survey has revealed only marginal differences in manufacturer ratings. Franchised dealers show high levels of satisfaction in key business areas, particularly in used car margins and performance measures.”
Continue Reading Animal rights protestors target Muller milk truck tyres
Activists Animal Rebellion caused an estimated £80,000 worth of damage by drilling sidewalls or cutting valve stems of around 200 truck tyre at Müller Dairies’ Willenhall depot last week. The tyres were fitted to trucks used to transport milk, with the vegan group acting to interrupt the distribution of dairy products. Police reportedly made 11 arrests on suspicion of criminal damage.
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CL Tyres: 10-fold growth in first three years of industrial tyre business
Founded in July 2019 by Steve Donnithorne, CL Tyres Ltd is a relative newcomer in the industrial tyre business. However, in this case, that youth belies the experience behind the business, something that another of the company’s director’s, Steve Pye, explained to Tyres & Accessories during the recent IMHX exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham at the start of September 2022.
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Rest in peace, Your Majesty
On 8 September, we were all shocked to learn that Queen Elizabeth II died. September’s magazine was already at the printer, but we wanted to honour her majesty’s life by changing our front cover to a more respectful hue as well as altering our leading article column. Heres our immediate reaction to the sad news:
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GB Tyres expands warehousing, adds to PCR tyre sales plus new agri range
From a standing start less than a decade ago, GB Tyres is now aiming to be a key player in the UK wholesale business. When the company’s full-year financial results come in at the end of August, turnover will have reached £53 million. So, in other words, the business is trucking along nicely and making good progress towards its goals. Tyres & Accessories met up with Commercial Director Graham Hutchison and founder Sukhi Singh to visit the company’s Tipton headquarters and relatively new Oldbury wholesale warehouse.
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BitcoinRacing: Nankang Tyre Citycar Cup is a way to increase cryptocurrency take-up
BitcoinRacing was formed with the stated aim speeding up the adoption of Bitcoin as an everyday currency. Writing at the start of the year, company representatives explained that the plan is to achieve that end “by travelling 5000 miles across the UK in 2022 with an HGV transporter decorated in Bitcoin decals and entering four race cars into the Nankang City Car Cup…” That, they continued, will make the team a “mobile advertisement for Bitcoin”.
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PCL appoints Lee Wright as managing director
PCL has appointed Lee Wright as managing director to lead the company’s move towards “a more market-driven approach”. Following a thorough recruitment process, supported by external consultants, Wright has taken the helm at the Sheffield-based inflation specialists. Previously, the position was part of Joerg F Mayer’s remit as group managing director at PCL’s parent company, HornGroup Holding.
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Wheely-Safe adds four to team
Wheely-Safe has made four new appointments to its growing staff. Ian Maynard has joined as Business Development Manager, Amrit Grewal comes on board as Senior Engineer, Chris McLaughlin joins as System Integration Specialist, while Zoe Lucas has been appointed Field Sales Group Leader.
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EV tyre awareness low amongst UK motorists
In the run-up to the launch of its first Vredestein tyre developed specifically for electric vehicles (EV), Apollo Tyres asked 1,000 motorists if they were aware that such products even exist. The response wasn’t encouraging, with the results suggesting that 82 per cent of UK motorists are unaware it is possible to purchase specifically-developed EV tyres.
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Anvil invests six-figure sum in Dromore tyre centre
Anvil Tyre Centre, owned and managed by brothers Daniel and Kyle Wethers, has moved into a new MOT servicing and tyre repair depot in Dromore, Northern Ireland following a six-figure investment supported by Ulster Bank. The move will create two new full-time equivalent jobs when fully operational. As a result, Anvil Tyre Centre is vacating its former trading premises on the Lurgan Road.
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Falken Eurowinter HS02, HS02 Pro tyres to hit UK market this winter
Falken’s latest cold weather tyre offering is set to make its UK market debut this winter in September. Two specifications will be available: the Eurowinter HS02 and HS02 Pro. Both tyres represent the next generation of Falken’s cold-weather range. They offer significant improvements over their predecessor, the HS01, according to the manufacturer.
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Can we Truss government to turn UK motorways into autobahns?
Following the headline-grabbing news that Liz Truss is open to the idea of turning the UK motorway network into an autobahn-style system, we took a closer look at the idea. Of course, we all know that both Truss and Sunak are electioneering at the moment, doing their best to tell tory members what they think they want to hear. But, however sincere the motivation turns out to be, dispatching with the speed limit will have an inevitable impact on both road safety and the tyre market. So, with that in mind, this month’s column is something of a thought experiment. What would happen if Liz Truss became prime minister and got her way when it comes to turning motorways into autobahns?
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