Datamonitor: UK Car Consumables and Accessories Sales Flat
Value growth in consumables and accessories fell from 2.4 percentage points in 2008, to nearly flat growth this year, according to research compiled by Datamonitor. The inference is that the value of distress purchases such as tyres and exhausts (in addition to big-ticket satnavs and stereos) is falling as consumers defer replacement and as total average mileage falls. The consumables and accessories (C&A) segment is said to account for the largest share of the European retail aftermarket in the UK (8.3 per cent).
Continue ReadingDerco Signs Agreement with Michelin Aircraft Tire Company
Sikorsky Aerospace Services company, Derco Aerospace, has signed a new agreement with Michelin Aircraft Tire Company today that will support Derco’s distribution of Michelins military aircraft tyres around the world. Aircraft platforms supported under the agreement include, but are not limited to, the C-130, L-100, F-16, KC-135, P-3, UH-60 and Mirage. Derco is pleased to continue its relationship with Michelin Aircraft Tire Company to provide our worldwide customer base with high-quality Michelin tyre products, said Paul Fuhrmann, Dercos director of OEM & Repair Solutions. Teaming with Michelin on this new agreement allows us better service our customers with immediate stock availability and competitive pricing for aircraft tyre products.
Continue ReadingPirelli OE on 8C Spider, Ferrari 599 and Aston Martin V12 Vantage
The latest run of supercars to hit the tarmac - the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider, Ferrari 599 HGTE, Aston Martin V12 Vantage - will all be launched with Pirelli P Zero tyres, according to the Italian UHP tyre manufacturer. Initially presented at the Geneva motor show, the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is scheduled for an official launch at Balocco end of June where it will be fitted with P Zero tyres (245/35 ZR20 and 285/35 ZR20). According to the company, the P Zero represents the latest evolution in tyre design from the Pirelli research team and is covered by five patents. For the Ferrari 599 P Zero developers modified the tyre’s compound for improved sportiness, so it has become something like the P Zero Corsa in sizes (245/35ZR20 and 305/35ZR20), while the British super-sport Aston Martin V12 Vantage went straight for the P Zero Corsa sports tyres (255/35ZR19 and 295/30ZR19).
Continue ReadingBlackcircles.com Adds to Management Team
Blackcircles.com has appointed two new senior managers as part of the company’s ongoing expansion plans. The Peebles-based business has recruited Alan Littlewood as head of network and supply and Peter Nowell as head of commercial operations. The appointments follow the announcement of a major partnership deal with the RAC, enabling Blackcircles.com to sell tyres directly to the motoring club’s seven million members through a new venture, RAC Tyres. Peter Nowell will be responsible for developing mutually beneficial relationships with Blackcircles.com’s suppliers. He has previously held senior marketing roles at both Kwik-Fit and ATS Euromaster. Alan Littlewood joins Blackcircles.com from car dealership operator Pendragon Plc. His role will be to expand the company’s network of franchised garages and develop its servicing offer through its partnership with Unipart.
Continue ReadingWennemer Set to Become Opel Advisor
Former Continental AG CEO, Manfred Wennemer, is set to represent Berlin on an advisory board overseeing the trust that administers Opel, according to a Reuters report. Wennemer, who led Continental’s rearguard action against Schaeffler Group’s July 2008 hostile takeover, stepped down last August after seven years with the company when the automotive supplier managed to overcome Conti’s defences. He was subsequently nominated to join the board of steel wire manufacturer Bekaert in March 2009. According to Reuters, the trust holds 65 per cent of Opel shares and is charged with ensuring that 1.5 billion euros ($2.1 billion) in bridge financing offered by Berlin and the four German states with Opel plants is not misappropriated.
Continue ReadingHappy Birthday, Vulcanised Rubber!
Today, June 15, is a red-letter day for the tyre industry – exactly 165 years ago Charles Goodyear was granted the initial patent for process of rubber vulcanisation. But while this patent – number 3633 – may have opened the door to the development of a viable range of rubber products and eventually led to a company bearing his name becoming one of the largest tyre manufacturers in the world, the patent delivered far more financial reward to others than to Goodyear himself. According to accounts of Charles Goodyear’s life, the vulcanised rubber story began in 1834 when Goodyear, whose hardware store had recently been made bankrupt, approached the Roxbury India Rubber Company with a new business idea.
Continue ReadingThe Delivery Company Wins RMA Green Fleet Award
The Delivery Company has confirmed its credentials as an environmentally-friendly company by scooping the Green Fleet Award presented by the Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA). The Award was presented to Douglas Wright of the Delivery Company by RMA Director David Wilson at the Rubber Industry Dinner held Chesford Grange in Kenilworth on 15 May. The Green Fleet of the Year Award is presented by the RMA to recognise fleets who have been particularly supportive to the retreading industry. The Delivery Company is a trading division of PaperlinX Services (Europe) Ltd) and has a fleet of 350 vehicles operating throughout the UK delivering paper, board and plastics. As part of an initiative to reduce their carbon footprint, the Delivery Company not only adopted a managed, new and remould, tyre policy, they also introduced a number of other actions aimed at reducing emissions.
Continue ReadingGajah Tunggal Offers to Exchange $420 Million of Bonds
Bloomberg reports that PT Gajah Tunggal TbK is offering to exchange US$420 million of 10.25 per cent bonds due in 2010 for new notes maturing in 2014. The Indonesian tyremaker said in a statement that it will exchange the debt at par for noteholders responding to the offer by June 26, and at 95 per cent of face value for those that wait until July 3.
Continue ReadingPirelli Carlisle Shutdown Planned for Late June
A further temporary closure of Pirelli’s Carlisle factory is scheduled for late June. The company reports that reduced demand for tyres in European markets is the reason behind the June 27 to July 1 shutdown. Production at the Carlisle site had been increased in May in response to anticipated market stabilisation, however company management reports that short-term demand has reached their “optimistic prediction.”
Continue ReadingPeter Taylor Receives OBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours List
Peter Taylor the Tyre Recycling Association’s secretary general and long time director of the Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association (ITMA) has been awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in a move which is seen as honouring the UK tyre industry’s pioneering work in developing a ground breaking tyre recovery and recycling programme. “I am absolutely delighted to receive this important honour,” said Peter Taylor: “However without the help and support of other members of the tyre industry and its various trade associations we would not have been able to establish the Responsible Recycler Scheme and make it work as effectively as it does. I am happy to accept this honour on behalf of the UK tyre industry.”
Continue ReadingPirelli Shareholder Camfin Negotiates Capital Increase
Camfin SpA, the largest shareholder in Pirelli parent company Pirelli & C SpA, has negotiated with its banks regarding a 100 million euro capital increase and a rescheduling of its debt. Camfins controlling shareholder GPI, along with a consortium of banks, will guarantee all of the capital increase, Reuters reported. Three new directors will also be appointed to Camfins board, making a total of 15 directors. The banks participating in the debt deal include Banco Popolare, UniCredit, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Intesa Sanpaolo SpA and Banca Popolare di Milano. The agreement foresees in addition that up to end of 2011 there will be no dividend distribution and that by 2012 the 49 per cent stakes in Pirelli & C Ambiente SpA and Pirelli & C EcoTechnology are sold, the company said.
Continue ReadingITC to Rule on Imported Chinese Tyres This Week
The US International Trade Commission will determine by June 18 whether or not consumer tyres imported from China are harming or have the potential to harm potential tyre manufacturers, and will report its findings to President Obama and the US trade representative the following day.
Continue ReadingSri Lanka’s Eu-Retec to Expand Range Under Conti Alliance
The partnership operating between Watts Industrial Tyres and Continental AG since late 2004 has been replaced by a new strategic alliance with Sri Lankan manufacturer Eu-Retec (Pvt) Limited, who formerly produced tyres for Conti as part of the Watts arrangement. Watts held a 50 per cent share in Eu-Retec until earlier this year. Continental has officially announced the formation of a joint venture with Eu-Retec, an arrangement in which Conti will take the majority shareholding.
Continue ReadingReady-Made Promotions For Independent Distributors
Promo Basics is a range of ready made promotions devised by Brake Engineering for distributors to run, which wont break the bank and includes rewards such as free newspapers, snacks and drinks. Designed to fight the credit crunch, when its often tempting to cut back on marketing and promotions and just at the time when those activities could be at their most useful, Promo Basics gives the independent distributor an extra, low-cost marketing tool.
Continue ReadingConti Removing Jobs, Operations from Puchov Site
At present Continental reports an overcapacity of more than two million truck tyres in its European markets, a situation that has developed due to a “drastic” fall in demand during the opening months of 2009. To remedy this, the company is further reducing European truck tyre capacity by eliminating a number of jobs at and operations its Continental Matador Truck Tires facility in Puchov, Slovakia. Continental says it has decided to remove 75 positions will be removed from Puchov by November 30 at the latest. On top of this, following a detailed analysis of the company’s machinery business, Conti will concentrate this aspect of operations to its Hannover-Stöcken plant in Germany. This measure, reports Continental, will affect around 190 Puchov based Continental Machinery employees.
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