IAM calls for 80 mph speed limit
The IAM is calling for the government to pilot an 80 mph speed limit on a controlled and managed motorway to assess its practicality and safety, and road users’ reaction to it. In September the government announced that the motorway speed limit could be raised to 80 mph. According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), on uncongested motorways more than half of car drivers exceed the 70 mph speed limit, around a fifth exceed 80 mph and it is rare for the police to prosecute drivers travelling between 70 and 80mph.
Continue ReadingJail for prolific tyre dumper
Do not pass Go…it’s straight to jail for the man the Environment Agency has dubbed the “million tyre man.” The agency reports that Carl David Steele, operator of Lincolnshire-based FCM Logistics (Tyres) Ltd, received a 15 month sentence on November 7 after pleading guilty to six offences and two further offences on behalf of his company, which is now in liquidation. All charges relate to the illegal storage of hundreds of thousands of tyres at environmentally sensitive locations in Essex, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Worcestershire and Lincolnshire.
Continue ReadingPirelli takes F1 tyres 'full circle' to Abu Dhabi
Pirelli its range of P Zero F1 tyres and compounds full circle this weekend. The Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi is a significant venue for Pirelli’s Formula 1 tyre program as it is where the racing teams got to try out the P Zero compounds for the very first time at a test following last year’s grand prix. As a result Pirelli is confident that the Abu Dhabi track is the place where it has the most Formula One experience. For the penultimate grand prix of the season, Pirelli will bring the P Zero White medium tyre and P Zero Yellow soft tire to Abu Dhabi, which should be well suited to the 21 corners and two straights that make up the lap.
Continue ReadingPhase 2 of Trelleborg, New Holland ‘Blue Power’ project launched
Trelleborg and New Holland have reported the initial success of their joint Blue Power tractor project and announced an extension of their partnership. This next step in the two companies’ collaboration centres upon a new joint advertising campaign – titled “The Blue Butterfly” – and dedicated website, www.trelleborg-newholland.com.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Q3 punctuated by growth
Results for the third quarter of 2011 show across the board year-on-year improvements at Bridgestone. During the June to September period, the Japanese company achieved sales of 775.3 billion yen (£6.2 billion), a 9.9 per cent improvement over the same three months of 2010. Operating income reached 49.7 billion yen (£396.9 million) in the quarter, reflecting year-on-year growth of 42.4 per cent, while operating profit margin rose from 4.9 per cent to 6.4 per cent. Net income, at 27.8 billion yen (£222.0 million), was up 25.2 per cent compared with the third quarter of 2010.
Continue ReadingCheck mate: Linglong chess player awarded prize
On 11 October 2011, Hou Yifan, member of Linglong Tyre chess team was awarded “Non-olympic Athlete of the Year” at the 10th China Laurens Prize ceremony was held in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. The award was the second grand prize she won after a prizegiving by state television - “CCTV non-olympic athlete” - at the beginning of this year.
Continue ReadingHalfords Autocentres appoints ex-Kwik Fit man as operations director
Halfords Autocentres has appointed Simon Benson as operations director. He takes up the reins from Bill Duffy, who was recently appointed as Halfords Autocentres chief executive. Benson joins the company from Kwik-Fit, where he served for 10 years, most recently as divisional director. He has also worked for Kingfisher Group brands Comet and Woolworths.
Continue ReadingA minority purchase?
Reading the recent UK winter tyre usage survey commissioned by Manheim Auctions, anyone would think that the concept of fitting winter tyres was a) peculiar and b) a “minority purchase.” The reality is that all across Europe millions of winter tyres are fitted every season and that the numbers of motorist taking the winter option are at an all-time high and growing fast.
Continue ReadingAnalysts: Hankook share sale is Michelin “cashing in on failed partnership”
Following the announcement that Michelin is selling its 9.98 per cent share of Hankook, financial analysts have shared their view that the move amounts to “cashing in on a failed partnership.” Morgan Stanley's suggestion is that the Hankook shareholding ended up being a mere financial investment after attempts to cooperate more broadly “repeatedly failed.” Michelin built its stake in Hankook between 2003 and 2008 and reportedly tried to establish a partnership with Hankook to develop distribution, R&D and manufacturing together in Asia.
Continue ReadingHankook share sale a boost for Michelin entry-level and medium production
In order to place a greater focus on its own production of tier two and three tyres, Michelin plans to sell its share in Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. The French tyre maker announced on November 8 its intention to sell up to 15,195,587 shares, an amount representing approximately 9.98 per cent of Hankook’s share capital, through its 100 per cent owned subsidiary Compagnie Financière Michelin. According to Michelin, the sale of its Hankook share forms part of its portfolio optimisation efforts in line with the new growth strategy the company first presented a year ago and reiterated during its October 2011 investor day, specifically the optimising and strengthening of factories dedicated to producing passenger car and truck tyres in the entry-level and medium-range segments.
Continue ReadingStarco announces senior OEM appointment
As of November 2011, former GKN Wheels Carpenedolo sales director Thomas Ruedl will take on the role of group sales director, OEM Key Accounts at Starco. In his new role, Ruedl will report to regional director Jef de Smedt and have overall responsibility for Starco’s existing and future OEM customers. First priority for Ruedl in his new position will be prioritising Starco’s agricultural, industrial and trailers/caravans markets; this will be followed by the horticultural and internal transport markets. The new OEM Key accounts group sales director will work in close liaison with local Starco sales entities, which will also continue their daily contact with global OEM customers as before.
Continue ReadingReports ask: Is Titan buying old Goodyear plant?
Local TV stations in the US (namely WPSD-TV in Paducah, Kentucky), is reporting that the now closed Goodyear plant in Union City., Tennessee, may open up again soon. Tire Review reports that rumours are flowing through the community that a "major company" is looking at the plant with an eye toward potentially buying, modifying and reopening the facility.
Continue ReadingCouncil rejects Envirotyre plant submission
Plans submitted by Envirotyre UK to set up a tyre recycling plant in Sutterton, Lincolnshire have been rejected by Lincolnshire County Council. The Spalding Guardian reported on November 7 that despite recommendations from planning officers that Envirotyre should be granted conditional planning permission, the council’s planning and regulation committee decided to go against their advice. A stated reason for this decision was concerns about fire hazards and contamination of a nearby Anglian Water reservoir.
Continue ReadingChina’s Doublestar, Del-Nat sign US distribution deal
Tire Review reports that China’s Qingdao Doublestar Industrial Co. Ltd. is opening its first warehouse and distribution center in the US, with an assist by Del-Nat Tire Corp. Executives from both companies were in the city of Memphis on November 5 to sign an agreement whereby Qingdao Doublestar will warehouse and distribute Doublestar brand medium radial truck tires from Del-Nat’s facility in South Memphis.
Continue ReadingPoint S hoping US experience will match UK success
The SEMA show has come to an end, and point S Development states the exhibition, where managing director Jürgen Benz and Independent Tire Dealer Group (ITDG) CEO Michael Cox signed a master franchise contract for the USA, more than met the company’s expectations. Commenting on the show, Fabien Bouquet, international operations director at point S Development, shared: “Our presence at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, an important US exhibition, was a complete success.
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