Supertracker launches new digital camber gauge
Supertracker has launched a new digital camber/castor gauge. Fresh for 2012 Supertracker redesigned the gauge and reduced the size and shape of the product through machining the body from an aluminium billet.
Continue ReadingBritish motorcycle dealers vote Dunlop RoadSmart tyre best accessory
Dunlop’s RoadSmart motorcycle tyre range has won plaudits from UK dealerships, who voted it the “Best Bike Accessory” at the British Dealer News Industry Awards 2011. The award was presented at the British Dealer News Awards Evening on Sunday 22 January 2012. The event followed the opening day of the Motorcycle Trade Expo at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
Continue ReadingSnap-on announces 7th and 8th TechEd seminars
Snap-on is running the seventh and eighth in its series of highly successful TechEd seminars – ‘Basic Engine Diagnostics’ and ‘Air Conditioning & Climate Control’ – the first six of which have attracted well over 25,000 paying attendees over the past five and a half years.
Continue ReadingActia releases new software for Multi-Diag
From its beginnings in 2006, born out of the OEM electronics powerhouse’s manufacturer diagnostics expertise, Actia reports that its Multi-Diag device has grown to be a leading diagnostic tool. In According to the company, ACTIA Group invented the first diagnostic tool for Renault in 1985 and in 2003, before purchasing Muller BEM. This brought together two global businesses specialising in vehicle electronics and diagnostics garage equipment which forms the basis of the company as it is today. And the latest news is that the firm has released new software for the Multi-Diag device.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Dunlop to improve TruckForce consistency with appointments
Goodyear Dunlop has announced two new senior management appointments in its Commercial division. Bob Mason will take up the position of TruckForce business manager for the UK hub network, while Craig Sprigmore will be appointed customer strategy manager, replacing Marc Preedy following his appointment to Commercial director. The firm says the appointments are in line with its “intention to improve consistency across the nationwide TruckForce network”.
Continue ReadingBridgestone to support Acorns Children’s Hospice
Bridgestone has announced that it will support Midlands-based Acorns Children’s Hospice in 2012, with fundraising events including a monthly “Dress Down Friday”. The Hospice was established in 1988, providing care for terminally ill youngsters and their families in the Midlands. The Acorns provides tailored nursing, emergency care and short breaks for the children at each of its three hospices in addition to continual support for their families from its highly trained Community Team.
Continue ReadingSnap-on releases v11.4 Software download
Snap-on has released the latest software for its best selling family of hand-held diagnostic tools. According to the company, version 11.4 provides nearly 20 per cent more vehicle coverage than the previous software release introduced earlier this year including coverage of the manufacturer SMART. “Continued and committed software development ensures that Snap-on customers’ diagnostic tools remain consistently powerful and productive in the workplace,” says Mark Ost, UK sales director for Snap-on Diagnostics. “Our new 11.4 software download has significant new and profitable key features to help the workshop technician deal with the sophisticated technology used on today’s modern vehicles.
Continue ReadingToyo taps Asia’s booming office equipment market
Toyo Tire & Rubber has established a new company in Thailand to manufacture and distribute a distinctly non-tyre product. The new business, Toyo Rubber Chemical Products (Thailand) Limited, has been established in order to manufacture and distribute cleaning blades, which are components used in office equipment such as photocopiers, printers and fax machines. The new company is to be part of Toyo’s Urethane Business Unit.
Continue ReadingDunlop scientist recognised with award
A scientist at Birmingham-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has been recognised for his work in developing a new tread compound that could increase the tyre life and reduce operating costs for airlines. James O’Callaghan, 26, from Erdington received the Sue Panteny Award from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. While developing the new compound, O’Callaghan studied one-day a week for a polymer technology degree at Staffordshire University, which, after three years, he passed with first class honours last summer.
Continue ReadingFalken sports SUV specific tyre
Falken has introduced the Azenis FK453CC – a tyre specifically designed to improve the stability, feel and noise of vehicles such as the Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, BMW X6 and Audi Q7, among others in the performance SUV segment.
Continue ReadingFirestone dusts off ‘Fuel Fighter’ name
Motorists seeking fuel efficient tyres in North America will soon discover a new name attached to Firestone tyres – Fuel Fighter. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) has revived the company trademark, which was first used in 1978, and is already affixing it to lower rolling resistance original equipment tyres. The tyre maker says selected replacement market fitments will be introduced in the near future.
Continue ReadingCam offers intelligent dashboard tools
Cam Systems has entered into a preferred partnership agreement with Leeds-based software provider panintelligence to offer its customers the opportunity to integrate state-of-the-art dashboard tools into the new wholesale, retail or commercial application platforms developed by the software provider based upon Microsoft’s SQL Server. The new offering will enable business owners to view and monitor the status of their operations at a glance from one central console to enhance their sales profitability, reduce their costs and operational risks and ultimately, to take quick, corrective action if required.
Continue ReadingAt home in Clermont-Ferrand? It’s all a matter of accessibility, says Michelin
Discussions are currently underway over plans to extend the French rail network with a new, second high speed line between Paris and Lyon. The project is known as the LGV POCL (short for Paris, Orléans, Clermont-Ferrand and Lyon), and at present four potential routes are being evaluated. The decision ultimately arrived at is, French media sources indicate, of high interest to Michelin, whose headquarters are situated in Clermont-Ferrand. Michelin managing partner Michel Rollier is reported to have described the POCL line as key to Clermont-Ferrand’s continued attractiveness to the tyre maker.
Continue ReadingHands-off: VMI introduces Exxium tyre builder
At next month’s Tire Technology Expo show in Germany, rubber and tyre machinery supplier the VMI Group will introduce its latest car and light commercial vehicle tyre building machine, the Exxium. The new machine is based on VMI’s patented Maxx technology and can handle 12 to 24-inch rim diameter tyres. VMI says the Exxium combines high production efficiency and tyre quality with the flexibility to handle a wide range of tyre designs, and the unit can produce in both hands-off mode or with the assistance of an operator; an operator is typically required for more complex tyre designs such as those with additional full rubber components, steel and/or fabric chafer strips. Typical Exxium cycle time with a regular tyre is 44 seconds.
Continue ReadingFalken drifters provide novel Top Gear celebration
Falken’s 2011 British Drift Champion, Matt Carter and his teammate, Paul Cheshire have marked British television programme and magazine Top Gear’s ascension to 10 million Facebook fans. Using a number of Sumitomo brand, Falken’s FK452 tyres, a stretch of old runway in Oxfordshire and two of its cars, the drift drivers used techniques from the sport to write the number 10 on the tarmac. A video of the stunt, completed in a single take, is available on the Top Gear website.
Continue Reading
