Kwik-Fit names Andy Fern as new fleet sales director
Andy Fern has joined Kwik-Fit as fleet sales director following an 18-year career with Michelin, most recently as national fleet sales manager. He replaces Peter Lambert who has retired after seven years as Kwik-Fit GB fleet director. Meanwhile, Simon Lucas has been promoted to the new role of customer support director of Kwik Fit GB. This role includes responsibility for Kwik-Fit Mobile, numbering some 200 vehicles, and the management of the company’s Customer Support Centre in Tannochside, Scotland, serving both fleet and retail customers. Both Fern and Lucas will report directly to Kwik-Fit GB managing director Kenji Murai.
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Bridgestone offers new licence to commercial tyre technicians
Bridgestone has become the first tyre manufacturer to offer the Society of Operations Engineers’ (SOE) Commercial Tyre Technician Licence to employees of fleets across the UK. The company said the licence would raise standards and improve uniformity in the commercial tyre industry. Attaining the licence requires the completion of three practical assessments and an online test. It aims to regulate the industry and provide best practice with an approved standard that everyone can aspire to achieve. The licence is currently being rolled out, and Bridgestone UK development trainers Phil Thirsk and Paul Turner passed rigorous tests in October to become qualified assessors.
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Bridgestone broadens agri tyre range with combine harvester fitments
Since its debut in 2014, the Bridgestone range of agricultural tyres has included fitments for high horsepower tractors. Now, with the introduction of the VT-Combine, the company has extended the line-up to cover combine harvesters. Designed specifically for Cyclic Field Operations (CFO) and featuring Improved Flexion (IF) technology, the VT-Combine offers 20 per cent more load compared with standard tyres (as set out by ETRTO standards). The tyre also allows a maximum speed during CFO of 15km/h, as opposed to the 10km/h maximum with conventional tyres.
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10th anniversary of STARCO’s “safer alternative” for caravans
Ten years have gone by since STARCO introduced the first approved tubeless static caravan and park home tyre. Today it sells more than 100,000 of these tyres a year, primarily in the UK and Western Europe, and STARCO remains the sole supplier of this wheel and tyre combination.
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Fulda launches Ecotonn 2 HL high load trailer tyre to optimise payload capacities
Fulda has launched the Ecotonn 2 HL high load trailer tyre to meet the demands of truck operators to increase payloads. Nearly 80 per cent of European countries now permit maximum permitted vehicle weights in excess of 40 tonnes, and operators naturally want to optimise the capacity of their vehicles. The Goodyear Dunlop brand has therefore introduced the new 385/65R22.5, allowing 10-tonne axle weights so that trailers can carry greater payloads.
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MWSD brings latest Xbrite+ forged aluminium wheels to European market
The European market distributor of Wheels India’s forged aluminium wheels, Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) has launched the next generation Xbrite+. The new product has benefitted from Wheels India’s upgraded multi-million pound production facility; in the advanced production process a polished Xlite forged aluminium wheel goes through several automated treatment stages to permeate the metal deeper.
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Falken to reveal race car, electric vehicle tyre at Geneva Motor Show
Falken will show its most energy-efficient tyre to date for electric and hybrid vehicles and launch its 2017 race car when the Sumitomo brand exhibits for the first time at the Geneva International Motor Show on 7-19 March 2017 (Hall 6, Booth 6238, Palexpo).
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Michelin CrossClimate+ rollout for North West Ambulance Service rapid responders
The North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust has fit Michelin’s CrossClimate+ to its 160-strong rapid response paramedic fleet of Škoda Octavias and Volkswagen Passats. The tyre is designed to match high performance summer competitors, but with winter capabilities, enhancing safety, longevity and durability.
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TerraClean awards set to be biggest yet
The TerraClean Annual Awards 2016, held on Saturday 11 March 2017 at Holiday Inn Seaton Burn, Gosforth Park is set to be the biggest yet with a record number of garages attending. The event will highlight the brand’s success over the past year and will be recognising and rewarding the achievements and hard work within the service centre network. There are 12 awards in total and the winner of the Overall TerraClean Service Centre of the Year 2016 will win a trip for two to Canada, home of TerraClean.
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The Parts Alliance named ‘Factor Chain of the Year’ in 2017 CAT Awards
The Parts Alliance has been named CAT magazine’s ‘Factor Chain of the Year’. The Award came on Friday 10 February at an industry awards ceremony at Manchester’s renowned Lowry Hotel. The national trading group was represented by the eight branches in its South West region. They were shortlisted in recognition of a dramatic turnaround in fortunes under The Parts Alliance’s ownership. The branches were all previously part of the Unipart network, but have since been developed with significant investment from The Parts Alliance.
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GSF branch manager’s London Marathon charity run
GSF Car Parts’ long-serving Poole branch manager Paul Snook has been stepping up his training ahead of the London Marathon on 23rd April, after opting to enter the gruelling race to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Research Centre. Paul started running just three years ago but has quickly progressed from fun runs, up to 5km, then 10km and even half marathons. The London Marathon he readily admits will be the ‘ultimate challenge’.
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Fast Parts Wales to donate £30,000 for 30th anniversary
Fast Parts Wales, a leading automotive motor factor in Wales, has revealed its plans to raise more than £30,000 through its Fast Parts Grand Rainbow Tour for Welsh children’s hospice, Ty Hafan, as part of the company’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Taking place on from Saturday 29 April to Monday 1 May 2017, all are welcome to participate in the family-orientated event and will have a budget of £300 to purchase a car and paint it in rainbow colours, being as creative as possible.
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Places filling fast for Transaid cycle challenge
Places are filling up fast for Transaid’s London to Paris cycle challenge this autumn, and organisers are urging those interested in taking part to sign-up now to avoid disappointment.
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