Tyre Recovery Professionals turn out in Force for “Successful” Event
Taking place on Friday 15 May in the conference rooms of the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth, the Tyre Recovery Association’s annual Forum Day was labelled a “success”, having attracted a populous audience of recycling professionals, which remained in place throughout all of the afternoon’s speakers. In addition to introductory remarks by Peter Taylor, the TRA’s secretary general, and chairman of the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, Mark Brickhill, the day featured a wide variety of tyre recovery presentations – ranging from French collection methods at Aliapur to the potential of pyrolysis – focused by the theme of “Innovation and Opportunity”. For his part, Brickhill was keen to stress the quality of recycling in the tyre industry within his keynote introduction, stating that it is currently “top class”. He also referenced the continuing themes of increased regulation, the environmental theme that is very much entrenched within the industry in the widest sense – particularly when one considers the omnipresence of rolling resistance – and the continued emphasis on safety.
Continue ReadingMobile Awareness Releases Obstacle Detection System
Mobile Awareness, a US provider of leading transportation safety products today announced the SE (Sensor Enhancement) version of its SenseStat Obstacle Detection Sensor System family, designed to prevent accidents caused by commercial vehicles reversing. SenseStat simultaneously monitors four zones at the rear of a vehicle indicating the area closest to an object. It is accurate within one inch, affordable and intended for use on commercial, off-road, lift truck and construction vehicles. The SE version is a new design improvement which maximizes protection of the sensors, while providing greater mounting flexibility and reliability. These features found on the SE version are further enhanced by a full three year limited warranty.
Continue ReadingTRIB to Exhibit at The Great American Trucking Show
The US organisation, the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) has announced that it will be an exhibitor at the 2009 Great American Trucking Show (GATS), being held at the Dallas Convention Centre in Dallas, Texas, Thursday, 20 August to Saturday, 22 August 2009. TRIB will be displaying a variety of retreaded truck tyres in its booth, including wide-base retreads. It will also be distributing printed materials, along with CDs & DVDs, about retreaded tyres, tyre repairing, tyre maintenance and other tyre related subjects of benefit to truckers, fleet maintenance personnel and trucking company management. In addition, TRIB will be handing out its Retread Tire Buyers Guide and materials from TRIB members. TRIB’s booth number is 14059-61.
Continue ReadingFrench eTailer wants to be Major UK Player
Pneus Online, the European online tyre shop founded in 2001 in France, wants to reinforce its activity in the UK with the message that it has chosen WorldPay to provide an improved payment method to customers. “We have sold tyres in the UK since 2005, but were not satisfied with our banking solution. After a call for tender, WorldPay got the deal by offering the best and the more secured solution” said Alexis Nerguisian, CEO of Pneus Online. Pneus Online boasts free delivery and a catalogue of 824,433 car tyres and 185,503 motorcycles tyres. The company says that the majority of these products is rated by hundreds of Pneus Online customers, helping users find the best selection for their vehicles.
Continue ReadingTop Shop Entry Deadline Looms
The entry deadline is fast approaching for the 2009 Tire Review Top Shop Awards presented by Ammco/Coats. Now in its third year, entries will be accepted until midnight on 10 July, 2009. Entry forms and information are now available via the Top Shop Awards Web site at www.tirereviewtopshopaward.com. Complete entries can be made right online. US and Canadian dealers can nominate their own businesses, or others can nominate tyre dealer businesses. The entry process is simple: Those making the nomination need to provide basic information about the dealership being nominated and write a short (300-word maximum) essay explaining why that dealership should be considered. From there, all entrants will be reviewed and a group of semi-finalists selected. Those semi-finalists will be asked to provide additional information for judging. A panel of judges, including industry professionals and a member of the Tire Review staff, will select the four finalists and, ultimately, the 2009 Top Shop Award winner. The awards are as outstanding as the dealers selected: • The Grand Prize Winner will receive a Coats APX90 tyre changer, $1,500 in cash, airfare and hotel for two (2 nights/3 days) to the 2009 SEMA Show, a feature story in the October issue of Tire Review, and a Top Shop trophy to display in their dealership. • Three Finalists will each receive a Coats 1250-3DV tyre/wheel balancer (featuring on-board training), $500 in cash, a feature story in the October issue and a specially designed finalist trophy. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue Reading800,000km on a Single Set of Tyres
A driver for the Denmark based fish supplier Nielsens Fiskeeksport has racked up an astonishing 801,090 kilometres on the set of Bridgestone M729 tyres fitted to his Volvo FH12. Driver Poul Jensen achieved this whilst driving between the company’s northern Jutland headquarters and various European destinations, primarily Poland and Germany. The kilometres obtained from the M729 is, comments Bridgestone, an “impressive performance from one set of drive tyres”.
Continue ReadingSRT to Buy Bankrupt Amtel-Vredestein Factories?
According to a Reuters news brief, Sibur Russian Tyres is seeking to acquire the Russian tyre factories belonging to the bankrupt rival Amtel-Vredestein. The company’s deputy head is reported as saying this acquisition would take place with co-financing from the state.
Continue ReadingKramer Named Goodyear COO
Goodyear Tire & Rubber’s Board of Directors has elected Richard J. Kramer chief operating officer of the company. In this new role, which takes effect immediately, Kramer will report to company chairman and CEO Robert J. Keegan. Kramer will also continue in his current position as president of the companys North American Tire business until his successor is named. Richs appointment as chief operating officer reflects our game plan of having a laser focus on operations globally during these extraordinary times, Keegan said. It also reflects the confidence that the Board and I have in Richs overall business leadership capability.
Continue ReadingHankook Extends Audi OE into Europe
Hankook sends word that in future the Audi A3, A3 Sportback and A3 Cabrio will roll off the assembly line fitted with Hankook tyres. The South Korean manufacturer’s Ventus S1 evo range have been selected as original equipment, and will be supplied for the A3 models is size 225/45 ZR 17. This newly finalised original equipment agreement extends the partnership between Audi and Hankook Tire to the European market. Hankook has been equipping various Audi models for the Chinese market since 2008, however this is the first time Hankook’s tyres have been directly to the vehicle manufacturer’s main plant in Germany, the Audi works in the Bavarian city of Ingolstadt.
Continue ReadingCTNA Opens New Headquarters
Construction work has been completed on Continental Tire North America’s new headquarters, and the firm is thus transferring its base of operations Charlotte, North Carolina to South Carolina’s Lancaster County. The US$11 million facility covers a 75,000 square foot area and houses some 375 employees. “Continental Tire has built a solid reputation by providing outstanding products throughout our 138-year history, and this move to South Carolina is just the next step in our ongoing effort to contribute to the North and South American markets,” says Matthias Schoenberg, CEO of Continental Tire North America.
Continue ReadingInterstate Appoints Copadex as French Distributor
A statement released by Interstate Tire and Rubber Company announces that the manufacturer has put pen to paper on an exclusive distribution deal in France with Copadex. During a recent meeting, chairman and vice president of the Dutch manufacturer, Theo de Vries and Bruno Clairay (director of Copadex) agreed a long-term cooperation deal. Interstate’s de Vries explained that Copadex is one of the leading tyre distributors in France with a very professional organisation and an emphasis on added value in terms of service and marketing. The distributor started business in 1980 and now has more then 5,000 different sizes in stock. The complete programme of Interstate Tires will soon be available and is set to be displayed during the Equip Auto in Paris on 13-18 October, 2009.
Continue ReadingJK Tyre Sponsor Indian National Karting Championship
JK Tyre are to sponsor the fifth JK Tyre Indian National Rotax Max Karting Championship, which begins with its first round of the season at Coimbatore. The championship will take off at the Kari Motor Speedway with the qualifying & heat races to be held on Saturday June 6 and the main races on Sunday June 7, 2009. The winners of the 3 classes will have the honour of being declared the National Rotax Karting Champions of India. The concept of the championship has been formatted to develop the burgeoning field of Indian motor sports. For the first time several teams will be in the fray for the prestigious event, with Amaron-Meco Pro Kart, Red Rooster, Mohites, Indus, AW, Rayo and Meco-City Kart all taking part. Also, for the first time the entries will have an international flavour, with a Scottish driver and an Iraqi girl participating.
Continue ReadingYokohama HPT to Support RX Racing in Portugal
The UK distributor for Yokohama tyres, Yokohama HPT, will be heading south to Portugal next month, as it supports RX Racing when the buggies form part of the first regional final towards this year’s Race of Champions. With the 2009 Race of Champions moving to the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, home of last year’s Olympics, the organisers of the event have responded to demand from numerous countries to join the Nation’s Cup by creating the first regional final. The event, to be held in the Estadio do Dragao in Porto, the home of FC Porto, will see teams from Portugal, Spain, Italy and Monaco fight for a place in the ROC. The format for the first final will follow a similar one to the ROC, with teams of drivers from every discipline of motorsport competing on a tarmac course laid out in the stadium. Saturday will see Portuguese drivers going head-to-head for a place alongside local Production car World Rally Championship leader Armindo Araujo to form the four-strong team for Sunday’s competition.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Finally Sells Lake Property
After two years on the market, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. was finally able to sell its Wingfoot Lake property near Akron. The 540-acre lake and 150-acre park area was acquired by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife for a reported $3.2 million. The sale does not include the tyre maker’s blimp port and hangar there. The state plans to open the park to the public by mid-2010. In 2007, Goodyear announced plans to sell the property as part of its financial plans. Once a company-only facility, the complex includes picnic shelters, playgrounds, ball fields and courts, a miniature golf course and driving range, boat docks, and a snack bar. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingNew Touring Tyre from Hercules
Hercules has launched the Hercules Roadtour 655, a new all-season touring radial. Available in both H- and T-rated sizes, the Roadtour 655 features a computer optimized tread for treaction and wear, and a nylon over-wrap for stability and treadlife. “The Hercules Roadtour 655 has one of our most aesthetically pleasing sidewall designs to date,” says Joshua Simpson, vice president of marketing. The tyre features a distinct sidewall design that includes icons representing fuel efficiency, road handling, noise control, all weather performance and spiral wound nylon over-wrap, the company said. “The sidewall icons act as silent salesmen, communicating the tyres’ benefits to consumers,” said Simpson. The Roadtour 655 is being launched in 24 SKUs covering 14- to 16-inch sizes. Hercules said that H- and V-rated sizes will be added later. (Tire Review/Akron)
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