Michelin names Gist as launch customer for Effitrailer programme
Supply chain specialist Gist has signed up as the UK launch customer for Michelin solutions’ new Effitrailer programme. Gist is a supply chain company with a long history spanning more than 100 years. The company provides bespoke supply chain solutions that deliver cost savings, environmental benefits and competitive advantage.
Effitrailer centres around the installation of dedicated trailer telematics equipment, featuring an on-board datalink, tyre pressure monitoring system and electronic braking system (EBS) data analysis. Once installed the equipment also enables constant geolocation of every Effitrailer-optimised asset in a company’s fleet.
At the end of 2015 tyre production of JSC Voronezh Tire Plant (of which Pirelli is the main shareholder) grew by 35 per cent compared to 2014 - that is 1.792 million units against 1.322 million tyres the year before. The news was shared by the firm’s general director Yury Gribanov during the ceremony to mark the receipt of Ford Q1 status.
Various news reports suggest Jinyu, (which changed its name to Sailun Jinyu in 2014 following its merger with Sailun) could be building a new tyre plant in Turkey. According to the Turkish Hurriyet newspaper, Jinyu is considering a joint-venture with local distributor Yeslas.
Aria Tire breaks ground on new Iranian tyre factory
Local sources report that Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, the Iranian minister of industry, mine and trade attended the ground-breaking of Gostaresh Aria Tire’s new tyre production facility in Zabol City, Eastern Iran on 10 March. The ground-breaking marks the latest development in a significant expansion of the Iranian tyre industry.
East European trailer market hit again, but regional nadir also reached
Recession, sanctions plus the plummeting oil price has had a devastating impact on the outlook for trailer demand in Russia. A year ago Clear International’s analysis suggested 24,000 trailers were wiped from the forecast published in March 2015. Six months ago a further 8,000 trailers were removed from the prognosis. In the current forecast yet another 4,000 trailers have been removed from the Russian outlook.
Penny Mallory to key note at 2016 Tyre Industry Conference
The NTDA has announced that former champion rally driver, and well-known TV presenter, Penny Mallory is to close this year’s Tyre Industry Conference, to be held at the Vox Conference Centre, Birmingham on 6 October.
A recurring theme encountered when talking to tyre wholesalers in 2015 and 2016 is the importance of value-added services. Each wholesaler has its own strategy for delivering this added value; in the case of Inter-Sprint, it involves a focus on acting as a “one-stop tyre partner.” This is a direction the Netherlands-based company has followed for some time now, and it is taking steps to ensure its customers can benefit from this in the years to come.
The London Motor Show will take place this year from the 5th-8th May at Battersea Evolution. There will be an exclusive preview evening on Thursday 5th May where HRH Prince Michael of Kent will cut the ribbon to open the Show.
Over the three days, some 35 car brands and 130 models will be showcasing the latest vehicles with prices ranging from £8,000, to in excess of £200,000, to cater to everyone’s pocket. There will also be unique supercars – on show in London for the first time.
Jaguar has filed patents for three electric cars. The patents include plans for an EV-Type model, plus additional plans for cars called the I-Type and the I-Pace, which are believed to be electric versions of the F-TYPE sports car and F-PACE crossover.
‘One in four cars will be electric by 2040’ says report
Electric cars will be a cheaper option than conventional cars within six years, according to a new report published by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). It also predicted that one quarter of all cars will be electric by 2040, slashing global oil consumption by 14 per cent.
The inaugural Automechanika Birmingham exhibition, to be held at the NEC, will be supporting BEN, the automotive industry charity. The event organisers will provide BEN with stand space free of charge and will support the organisation’s fund raising and awareness-building efforts with additional related facilities throughout the show.
Deldo sees scope for growing in a difficult market
The rules that apply in business are much like those we use as individuals. How we respond to a situation, for example, depends on the way we view it. For a company, changes to the market can either be seen as a threat or an opportunity. Belgian firm Deldo prefers the latter approach, and is finding new possibilities within the state of flux that is today’s tyre wholesale market.
Van den Ban continues investments in products, brands and logistics
Success as a tyre wholesaler, says Cyril Versteeg, depends upon a company’s ability to deliver added value. When Tyres & Accessories recently met with Versteeg, commercial manager at Netherlands-based wholesaler Van den Ban, he reflected on the evolution of this principle over the years. While added value has always lain at the heart of the wholesale business model, the market has driven Van den Ban and other wholesalers to embrace entirely new demands. More than ever, wholesalers not only need to offer a complete and, where possible, exclusive range of products – they must also guarantee fast and accurate deliveries.
Kent-based engine detox specialist EDT Automotive has turned over £1m since launching in 2013, generating £2.5m in additional aftersales turnover for franchised dealers and high end independent garages.
EDT managing director, David Holmes FIMI, said: “To hit the £1m turnover mark is an important milestone. It exceeds what we thought was an ambitious target when we set up the company three years ago. The treatment makes a real difference to fuel economy and drivers are spreading the word via social media. For workshops, our pay-as-you-go model means the up-front costs are minimal. It’s a winner for all involved and good for the environment.”
More than just a distributor – TTI adding value with marketing & IT
A point of consensus within Europe’s tyre wholesaling sector is that companies must adapt to stay competitive in a changing market environment. Each wholesaler we’ve spoken with this year is approaching this task from a slightly different angle; Tyre Trading International (TTI) is embracing technology, logistics and marketing, and is following up significant recent steps forward in these areas with continued investments.
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