Bridgestone Wins Thamesdown Bus Fleet Deal
Bridgestone Tyres has gained a contract with Thamesdown Transport, the Swindon-based bus company. Bridgestone will be supplying its range of specialised bus tyres to Thamesdown’s entire fleet. Paul Jenkins, Managing Director of Thamesdown Transport, explained: “We were impressed by Bridgestone’s offering. We chose them over the other bidders due to their cost effective package and their full range of services.” Based in Swindon, Thamesdown Transport runs 110 vehicles and has a modern, purpose built depot with excellent working conditions.
Continue ReadingReifen 2008: TSI/SSG Reports Busy Show
American tyre service and recycling machinery manufacturers TSI/SSG (Tire Service Equipment and Saf-tee Siping & Grooving) has reported a busy and successful showing in all three key business segments at this year’s Reifen Exhibition. The company divides its output into siping machines, small tyre service machines (like manual tyre changers and bead seaters) and recycling machines (tyre cutters and wheel crushers). Since 1998, when TSI/SSG first exhibited at Reifen, the company has seen a large increase in both interest and actual orders in the recycling portion of the business. Export Manager Arvid Vaaten believes that “more and more markets are getting ready to seriously deal with the ever increasing scrap tire problem.”
Continue ReadingElgitread Splits Its Divisions to form Treadsdirect
Elgitread, who exhibited its tread rubber manufacturing division in Hall 3, Booth 122 at Reifen 2008, has relisted Treadsdirect as a separate company on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). The new company is categorised as An ELGI Associate, and will concentrate its energies on manufacturing tread rubber, bonding gum retreading and bus operations, while Elgitread – retaining the company name – will give more attention to retreading accessories, retreading machinery and manufacturing with reclaimed rubber. Treadsdirect is now the proprietor of 14 operational retreading units and possesses three manufacturing units.
Continue ReadingTyre Pyrolysis Plant Boosts Octagon Profits
Malaysia’s Octagon Consolidated Bhd, operator of what is said to currently be the world’s largest tyre pyrolysis facility, expects its green energy division to contribute as much as 30 per cent to both company turnover and pre-tax profit in the financial year ending October. The company commissioned the 120 tonne per day plant in May, after more than four years of development.
Continue ReadingSuperior Industries Names New Senior Appointment
Aluminium wheel producer and suppler Superior Industries International has appointed Parveen Kakar to the position of senior vice president, Corporate Engineering and Product Development. The 42-year old has been with Superior since 1989, most recently serving as the company’s vice president, Program Development. Kakar holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from India’s Punjab Engineering College.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Americas Appoints New Communications ED
Current Bridgestone Americas Holding director of Media Relations, Dan MacDonald, was on July 1 promoted to the position of executive director, Communications, effective immediately. In his new role MacDonald is in charge of managing corporate communications and is responsible for providing accurate information about the company, its products and its performance. He is also responsible for managing the company’s corporate image advertising efforts and often serves as the company’s spokesman. According to Christine Karbowiak, vice president, Community and Corporate Relations, “Dan is extremely deserving of his promotion, having earned the trust of those whose messages he helps communicate and as well as those to whom those messages are delivered. He is a great asset to the Bridgestone Americas family of companies, grounded in good judgment and intent on producing a quality product.”
Continue ReadingNexen Goes Nano
On 1 May, Nexen Tire Corporation opened a branch office in Germany (Nexen Tyre Europe GmbH) and is reportedly in the process of scouting tyre specialists with more than 20 years experience to enhance the company’s marketing in Germany. In addition to the company’s existing UK branch, Nexen plans to open more offices in Spain, Italy, and France to expand its European sales network. Nexen Tyre Europe GmbH is being described as “the centre of Europe” for the Korean manufacturer. From here the company plans to execute localised marketing strategies in order to support European customer service.
Continue ReadingConti Increases Stake in Continental Matador
Continental has increased its share in Continental Matador Rubber following a July 1 agreement to transfer an additional 15 per cent of Continental Matador shares. Following the transaction the Continental Group holds 66 per cent of shares in Continental Matador Rubber.
Continue ReadingBoldly Going Where No Tyre Has Gone Before
Fancy yourself a racer with your kitted out Fiesta, sports alloys and low profile rubber? How fast can you go on those performance tyres of yours? The tyres Steve Bennett plans to use on his latest ride will provide a level of performance that puts your pride and joy to shame….
Continue ReadingBanknotes Remind Titan Employees of US Manufacturing Importance
Titan Wheel Corporation has announced the issuing of a summer bonus to its employees on July 2, 2008. Titan Wheel President Ron Schildt said the total bonus payout for the subsidiary, with locations in Quincy, Illinois, and Saltville, Virginia, is over US$2 million. Employees at Titan’s facility in Quincy, Illinois will receive a portion of their bonus in $2 notes. “We are fortunate to have a great group of employees who work together for the success of Titan,” said Schildt. “It is important to show appreciation where it counts—in the local economy. As each $2 bill circulates, the community will be reminded that American manufacturing is important to the future of our country.”
Continue ReadingShandong Linglong Looks to Increased Capacity, Sales
Shandong Linglong will soon be exporting high performance tyres from its new factory, commented company representatives at the Reifen exhibition. Work started on the £100 million 40,000 square metre facility last year and progress is said to be at an advanced stage. Full capacity at the plant should be reached by 2010, at which time it will have an annual output of 10 million tyres, bringing the company’s total capacity to 30 million pieces.
Continue ReadingTaiwan Retreader Becomes Latest TRIB Member
Taiwan’s Sinher International Company, Ltd. has become the newest member of the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB). “We are very happy to welcome Sinher International Company to the TRIB family and we know they will enjoy the many benefits TRIB offers to its members worldwide,” said Harvey Brodsky, TRIB’s managing director.
Continue ReadingSolideal Increases Prices Worldwide
Solideal Group has increased prices across its whole product portfolio. In Europe, prices will rise 8-12 per cent. In other countries, prices are set to go up by between 10 and 14 per cent. The new prices will be valid from July to September 2008. Solideal increased prices earlier this year, including a steel surcharge on wheels. Both moves triggered similar responses from other industrial tyre and wheel makers. According to the company, Solideal increased prices due to continuous increases in the cost of raw materials, which have exceeded the Group’s expectations.
Continue ReadingTyrespot Changes Logo, Joins Pirelli in Rally Promo
Tyrespot – the north-eastern England tyre retail and fitting business – has unveiled its new corporate image at the company’s depot in Washington, Tyne and Wear. In the ensuing months, the new “Autocentre” brand will adorn each of the company’s retail sites, in an attempt to draw attention to its tagline, “More Than Just Tyres”.
Continue ReadingTIA Appoints New Treasurer and Sectretary
At its annual conference between 11 and 13 June, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) elected Tom Formanek as the new Board treasurer, and Michael Berra, Jr. as the new secretary. Both Formanek and Berra will assume their new roles effective 3 November, 2008. Formanek is the manager of Tire Service Products with Stellar Industries, based in Garner, IA. He has served as a TIA Board member since 2002 and was a Tire Association of North America (TANA) and National Tire Dealer & Retreader Association (NTDRA) Board Member since 1992.
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