Titan Tire Promotes Two
Titan Tire Corporation has announced two senior staff promotions. Jeff Kramer, previously operations manager for the company’s Des Moines, Iowa facility, has taken on the role of vice president of manufacturing engineering, and Dave Fines is taking Kramer’s place in Des Moines. Jeff Kramer has been with Titan for 13 years and has held positions in tyre engineering, curing area management and production management. As vice president of manufacturing engineering, Kramer will oversee manufacturing engineering projects at all Titan Tire locations.
Continue ReadingEuro-Tyre Supplying Infinity Brand Within Europe
For a quarter of a century Euro-Tyre has operated as a distribution partner within the tyre industry. In 2003 the Netherlands based company took on Infinity brand, and is now the distributor of Infinity tyres in a number of European countries. At present Euro-Tyre is delivering the Infinity brand to Germany, Austria, the Benelux countries, Portugal and the Czech Republic, however it says that further markets may be added to this should demand be sufficient.
Continue ReadingCarlisle Annual Figures Reflect Difficult Times for Industry
Carlisle Companies Incorporated has reported net sales from continuing operations of US$623.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, a 1 per cent decline in net sales from continuing operations of $631.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The company says that a downturn sales in its Transportation Products segment, which includes Carlisle Wheel and Tire, along with its Construction Materials segment offset growth in other areas of the company’s business. For the full-year ended December 31, 2008, net sales from continuing operations were $2.97 billion, an 11 per cent increase over net sales from continuing operations of $2.68 billion in 2007. Sales increased in all segments, says Carlisle and organic sales growth was 3 per cent.
Continue ReadingPirelli Takeover Rumours Cause Conti Shares to Rise
Shares in Continental AG rose 11 per cent on February 6 in response to circulating rumours that Pirelli & C SpA may wish to acquire the company’s tyre business – a move that, should it take place, would give the erstwhile competitors a comprehensive product portfolio. Reuters quoted an unnamed trader as saying There is a rumour that Pirelli may be interested in Contis tyre business. Italian magazine Il Mondo has reported that banks have approached the Italian company about buying the Conti business, however neither Pirelli nor Continental have confirmed or denied any such activity. The Il Mondo article claims that Pirelli executives have conducted, on separate occasions, meetings with JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank, Mediobanca and a number of advisers.
Continue ReadingFirst Stop Helps Motorists Get Tanked
A handful of lucky motorists across the UK were given something to smile about when they arrived at the petrol pumps this week. Representatives from Bridgestone’s First Stop network took to the roads to give motorists a helping hand by paying for their fuel at selected forecourts across the UK. This largesse had a purpose – to launch First Stop’s promotion to win a whole year’s worth of fuel. During February, March and April customers purchasing two or more Bridgestone or Firestone tyres are entered into a free prize draw.
Continue ReadingEW Swiers & R Grainger See Demand Increase
Tyre recycling’s growth is illustrated by the story of a relatively new company’s plans to expand its operation with a new pre-shredder. The father-daughter partnership of EW Swiers & R Grainger Tyre Disposal and Rubber Chip, started early last year when they set up a tyre shredding facility at Ruffort, on the outskirts of York, North Yorkshire. A year ago, the company took delivery of a shredder to produce 20mm chips, stripping out the wire, for the Equine Market. Within the year the company has met 80 per cent of its targets. Swiers comments “We feel we were getting positive signals of increased demand about 12–14 weeks ago, so we ordered an additional pre-shredder from New Zealand that will increase our throughput three fold, thus meeting our current demand for the Equine Market.”
Continue ReadingBefore Chipping: Crushing and Cutting
Tire Service Equipment and Saf-Tee Siping & Grooving, or TSISSG as it is known to its friends, is perhaps best known for its machinery dealing with the maintenance of tyres. However, Scottish retail business Overton Garage is heartily behind the company’s series of wheel crushing and tyre cutting equipment, having sold hundreds of examples over the years. The company reports great results for those who have made the investment; if it is time for a beloved set of rims and rubber to go to the great recycler in the sky, you may as well do them the service of making the job a quick and efficient one. For over 25 years TSISSG has been a leading manufacturer and innovator of products and equipment for the tyre service and tyre recycling industries. Its products are designed and developed by experts in the respective industries with a passion for testing and quality, manufacturing almost all of its products in the USA.
Continue ReadingE and H Ramps up Shred Speed with Evashred
Having made the purchase of an Evashred EV60E dual shaft tyre shredding machine complete with force feed hopper from Ecosystem Limited, Northampton’s E and H Tyres is looking, in the words of manager, Rob Holloway, “both [to] increase the number of tyres shredded per hour and save ourselves money on repairs on our existing equipment”. E and H Tyres currently process an average of 3000 tyres per day through the machine. The Evashred EV60E tyre shredder will slot into the company’s existing system in front of the main shredder, preparing the tyres for the machine to more efficiently process them. The machine can process 2 tonnes, or around 250 car, van, 4x4 and light commercial tyres per hour. Its force feed hopper eliminates blocking and bridging on the shredder.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Australia Announces Temporary Plant Shutdown
Bridgestone Australia Ltd has announced a temporary pause in production at its Salisbury manufacturing facility in South Australia. Shawn Hara, group chairman and managing director of the Australian Bridgestone operation, said the plant, which employs around 600 people, would be taken offline from April 14 to 27 2009 inclusive to reduce inventory holdings in line with consumer demand. No jobs will be affected by the closedown, notes the manufacturer, and employees will have access to leave entitlements. Hara also stated that no further shutdowns were planned for 2009. The economic slowdown is having an impact on consumer demand around the world and Australia is no different, Hara said. This step is a reflection of Bridgestone Australias ability to react quickly and prudently to the current situation to ensure we protect the long-term viability of our manufacturing business and the jobs of our valued employees.
Continue ReadingKumho Becomes a New York Cab Supplier
Kumho Tires reports it is “excited to have its beloved tyres sported by the iconic yellow taxicabs of New York City.” Recently Kumho Tire USA announced it has been providing tyres to New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (NYTLC), an agency that regulates New York City’s yellow taxicabs. The South Korean manufacturer’s products are being fitted as replacement tyres to yellow cabs operating in Manhattan, joining several other replacement tyre manufacturers, including Goodyear, Pirelli, Michelin and Continental, which also supply the taxis. “We have supplied two thousand tyres to NYTLC since 2008, we expect the amount of supply to continually increase through local distributors for years to come,” said a Kumho Tires official. Currently around 1,500 yellow cabs ply the streets of Manhattan, assuring the tyre maker a steady stream of business.
Continue ReadingStamford Tyres Bringing Several New Lines to Tyrexpo Asia
Stamford Tyres has been busy this past year. The Singapore based company brought a number of new products to market in 2008, including the Sumo Firenza ST07 range. Initial production began in mid-2008, with new sizes being gradually introduced throughout the rest of the year. The complete range, which covers 13 to 16-inch rim fitments in 60 and 70 series, includes 26 sizes in total. The ST07 features a directional tread pattern that features twin centre grooves for water drainage, and slash sipings intended to reduce noise levels and effect faster water drainage.
Continue ReadingExports Now More than Half of Deestone Production
Initially established in 1978 by a group of Thai industrialists, Deestone Limited began life as a producer of tyres and tubes for the industrial and agricultural sectors. In 1994 the company diversified, and along with adding scooter and bicycle tyres to its product portfolio, at this time Deestone also initiated a stronger focus on the export of its specialty industrial tyres and inner tubes. Currently, more than half of the Deestone Group’s products are exported, with markets including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Egypt, Israel and Jordan. The company’s total asset base exceeds 500 million baht (£10 million) and approximately 3,000 workers are on its payroll. Deestone currently operates three manufacturing facilities in Thailand, with a combined capacity of 100,000 tons.
Continue ReadingMichelin Energy Saver Sole OE on New Yaris 1.0
Future models of the Toyota Yaris 1.0 litre will be shipped with only one type of tyre – Michelin’s Energy Saver. The French manufacturer says that the decision follows close research and development cooperation between it and Toyota in order to obtain the balanced performance the vehicle manufacturer was seeking. Michelin adds that innovative solutions were introduced for the rubber compound, a material that integrates new forms of silica, as well as for tyre design and production processes.
Continue ReadingSealey Launch 2009 Catalogue
March 1st sees the launch of Sealeys 740-page 2009 catalogue. It is Sealeys biggest and best catalogue yet, with 850 new products. Spring is the ideal time to update your workshop tools and equipment. Whether it’s Jacking & Lifting, Lighting & Power or Vehicle Service, all 21 sections have remained the same but have been re-ordered for ease of use. The Sealey catalogue is free and can be obtained from local Sealey stockists or direct from the company.
Continue ReadingEncircle Now Offering Two-Wheel Market Data
Market research specialists, Encircle Marketing, are now offering motorbike tyre data. The company, which was founded a little over a year ago, has quickly built a reputation for providing fast, accurate and actionable data to some of Britain’s leading tyre businesses. Now, in addition to the already popular passenger car and online tyre sales reports, joint founders Jason Cunningham and David Myers have decided to create another market specific product, this time aimed at the two-wheel segment. Tyres & Accessories recently met the management at the company’s new offices in Doncaster and found out more about the data they offer. The new motorbike tyre survey covers two key areas sell-out pricing, which measures the sell-out prices actually charged by consumers; and selling way – research on the argumentations used to sell different brands at the point of sale. Initially the company plans to make over 700 mystery calls a month across the various channels and regions that make up the market. In order to make the research as effective as possible, Encircle have hired mystery callers based upon their specific knowledge of the motorcycle sector (meaning they are bikers themselves) with a range of regional accents to minimise the risk of detection by centre staff.
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