Titan’s Board Approves Giant Tyre Production
The go-ahead has been given for Titan International to gear-up for giant tyre production. The company’s Board of Directors approved the allocation of funding to increase mining tyre production by the addition of 57 and 63-inch sizes to its range. This injection of finances should give Titan the ability to produced around 6,000 of the giant radials per year. “We are very excited about this newest venture since there are only two manufacturers in the world that produce 63-inch radial tyres: Michelin and Bridgestone,” said Titan Chairman and CEO Maurice M. Taylor Jr. “This is what it’s all about; a small American company going up against two powerhouse foreign companies, one French, the other Japanese. “Titan has assembled a great team, and we believe that we have a better way to produce these giant tyres. We believe radial tyres perform better on 15-degree wheels, which is what cars and trucks now utilise. Titan has developed these wheels and we plan to produce our new tyres on a 72.5-inch 15-degree wheel at the same time as we produce 63-inch radial tyres.”
Continue ReadingApaseal Launches the “Complete Solution” for Run-Flats
In response to growing demand from the marketplace, Apaseal has announced it is launching its “Run Flat Tyre Repair System.” The Repair System has been developed to enable the safe repair of self supporting run-flat tyres, in accordance with the tyre manufacturers’ recommendations for these uniquely constructed products, and includes material to enable technicians to maximise the repair potential in any self-supporting run-flat tyre. As well as using the integrated plug and patch method of repair, the system also uniquely includes Apaseal tyre dough and nail hole patches for use when the injury is not ‘straight through’. Comprehensive support and training is available either on site or at the Apaseal Training Centre and covers every aspect from injury location, inspection and repair technique to tyre removal and refitting. Apaseal also offer training courses, in the safe and efficient removal and fitment of all makes of run-flat and high performance tyres, using the world-leading range of Corghi equipment.
Continue ReadingMini Goes Large at Oulton Park
This bank holiday the British Dunlop Motorsport Festival of 2007 hits Oulton Park in Cheshire on the forthcoming Bank Holiday Monday. After the season’s opening gathering at Snetterton in Norfolk, organizers are expecting another strong crowd to gorge themselves on a feast of Sports car racing, Production Saloon car racing, Mini racing, in fact a wall to wall racing spectacular from nine o’clock in the morning right through until six in the evening. The action isn’t confined to the track either; also on the bill is the return of the popular Dunlop Great & British Mini Festival. Last year hundreds of Mini owners and their passengers took part in special parade laps around many of the country’s top racetracks and at Oulton Park they’ll be able to do the same again. On the race front Scotland’s Oli Mortimer will be looking to continue his domination of the Mini Challenge championship. The promising youngster won all three races in his Cooper S at the recent Snetterton meeting and is out for more of the same at Oulton.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Signs Two OTR Supply Contracts
Goodyear OTR has renegotiated major contracts with Southampton Containers (part of the Dubai Ports Group) and Tilbury Container Services – to supply Goodyear EV-4A and EV-4S for Straddle Carriers. Straddle Carriers are the machines that load containers from the Port onto road going trucks. The contracts mean that Goodyear supplies over 75 per cent of the tyre requirements to Southampton Containers and also provide tyre performance data on 100 Straddle Carriers used at the Port. Tilbury Containers Services have over 40 machines on their site and all run on Goodyear’s range of EV tyres.
Continue ReadingPower to the PCL
Energy supplier Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has teamed up with PCL to provide its staff with a vital gift to keep them safe on the roads. As the latest project in its on-going Health and Safety initiative, SSE decided to target tyre maintenance which, if neglected, can cause serious, even fatal, accidents. PCL was asked to supply 17,500 pencil-style tyre pressure gauges along with tyre trade depth gauges, which SSE gave to employees in a company wallet enclosing a safety information/advice card. The response was so great that a further 2,000 of each gauge were supplied to cover the extra unexpected demand.
Continue ReadingAdvanced ID to Purchase Pneu-Logic
A company press statement released on May 15 indicates that US supplier of UHF tag reading equipment Advanced ID Corporation is preparing to purchase Pneu-Logic Ltd, the Derbyshire-based provider of tyre industry technology. According to the statement, the chairman of Advance ID, Seymour Kazimirski, and George Yeomans, chairman of Pneu-Logic, signed a letter of intent for Pneu-Logic’s acquisition following the decision previously gaining the board of directors unanimous approval. “This was an easy decision for both companies,” commented Dan Finch, president and CEO of Advanced ID. “Pneu Logic has superior technology for tyre management and Advanced ID is the leader in tyre identification. By combining our technologies, we are able to offer a complete system solution for tyre and fleet management. Pneu Logic has been in business for three years with a 100 per cent focus on tyre inspection. Their client base includes major tyre manufacturers and fleet operators and the success specifically in the European market is a testament for the value of their product line. Pneu-Logic’s product line has patent protection and design IP. We have already started joint marketing efforts, which have led to new business opportunities. You could not ask for better synergy between two companies. There is no question that our combined company will be the undisputed leader in tyre management focused on tyre maintenance and tyre identification.
Continue ReadingAmtel-Vredestein Posts $110 million EBITDA
Amtel-Vredestein N.V. reports in un-audited results that it has exceeded the revenue projections made by the company in November 2006, by delivering sales of $823 million ($800 million estimated) and EBITDA of $110 million ($100 million estimated). The Company cautions that certain non-cash adjustments to its 2006 results are still possible as it completes a protracted audit as a result of significant and complex transactions last year – including the acquisition of the Moscow Tyre Plant, the sale of its Amtel-Kuzbass chemical fibre plant in Kemerovo, Russia, and acquisitions of retail tyre centres throughout Russia. Amtel-Vredestein has a positive outlook for 2007 and expects to achieve sales growth – primarily in its key passenger car tyre business. Sales are expected to fall between $1 – 1.1 billion in 2007 based on current sales trends and scheduled production output. Management also anticipates improvements in Gross Profit Margin consistent with previous years. EBITDA may exceed $120 million and rise to as high as $130 million. The Company expects to be profitable in 2007.
Continue ReadingWe Sell Tyres Gives Away £1,000 in Competition
To celebrate the opening of its new Nottingham Wholesale warehouse We Sell Tyres (Wholesale), in conjunction with Pirelli Tyres UK, offered their customers the chance to win £1,000 pounds-worth of electrical goods vouchers, plus quality Pirelli merchandise, by increasing their sales of Pirelli tyres, with particular emphasise on the new generation of P-Zero tyres. This prompted an outstanding performance from AG- Services of Long Eaton Nottingham, Alan Gadsby pictured receiving his prize of electrical goods vouchers, courtesy of Pirelli. Gadsby from AG services a long standing Customer of WST, commented: “Its an opportunity I couldn’t resist and just had to go for the big prize, selling quality isn’t difficult, and the new P-Zero certainly has plenty of quality.” Five runners-up also received prizes of £100 electrical goods gift vouchers.
Continue ReadingYTC Chief Named Yokohama Corporate Officer
(Akron/Tire Review) Norio Karashima, president and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corp. and president of Yokohama Corporation of America, was promoted to managing corporate officer, effective June 28. The Seikei University (Tokyo) graduate joined Yokohama 1976, becoming president of Yokohama’s U.S. operations and a corporate officer in 2004. He also served as president of Yokohama Reifen in Germany from 2000 to 2002 and was general manager of the OE Planning Department from 2003 to 2004.
Continue ReadingCTNA Makes Forklift Tyre Changes CSEasy
(Akron/Tire Review) Continental Tire North America has introduced CSEasy, a solid super-elastic tyre for forklifts. The CSEasy, said CTNA, requires no press, specialist technician or equipment for installation. The solid pneumatic industrial tyre can be fitted at the job site, “ensuring the forklift is back in full operation within mere minutes,” CTNA said. CSEasy features an “innovative reusable adapter between the tyre and rim,” the company said. The conical adaptor, said CTNA place the tyre in the proper position for quick mounting using a torque wrench.
Continue ReadingGTI Pirelli Makes a Long-Awaited Comeback
Almost a quarter century after its hugely popular predecessor first saw light of day, Pirelli is once again lending its name to Volkswagen’s high performance hatchback. Differentiated from its lesser brethren by its unique aesthetics and mechanical specifications, the Golf GTI Pirelli will make its debut several weeks after September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Media and aficionados were treated to an advance showing of the new Volkswagen at its world premiere at the international GTI Meeting in Wörthersee, Austria on May 16. The rubber chosen for the Golf GTI Pirelli is from the P Zero range, in 225/40 size, fitted to 18-inch 5P Pirelli light alloy wheels. The P Zero theme extends into the GTI Pirelli’s insides, with interior styling inspired by the tyre’s tread pattern. But while they may add to the car’s appearance, the P Zero tyres are not there simply for show – lurking under the Golf GTI Pirelli’s bonnet is a 230hp direct injection turbocharged engine capable of delivering a maximum speed of 245 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.
Continue ReadingRenault Van Takes Fleet World Honours
The Renault Trafic van was voted Best medium van for the fifth consecutive year at the Fleet World Honours 2007 awards ceremony in London recently. The awards are presented to manufacturers who, in the opinion of the panel of judges, have achieved the highest levels of excellence in their sector. The judging panel is made up of industry experts, including the editorial team from Fleet World, members the leasing industry, fleet managers and representatives from residual values guides.
Continue ReadingContiTech Releases Statement on Dunlop Oil & Marine Investigations
In the wake of allegations regarding price fixing practices in the marine hose manufacturing industry, Germany’s ContiTech AG has released the following statement: The investigation into employees of Dunlop Oil & Marine Ltd. has taken the management of ContiTech AG by surprise. Dunlop Oil & Marine Ltd. was taken over by ContiTech AG with the acquisition of Phoenix AG at the end of 2004 and has since been integrated into the Fluid Technology business unit. ContiTech AG does not yet have sufficient information regarding the matter. The employees therefore have to be presumed innocent. ContiTech will cooperate with the authorities in their investigation. Should it be determined that the allegations are true and that violations of law have indeed been committed, ContiTech AG will take the necessary actions.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Dunlop Named as 2nd Pan-Government Supplier
Goodyear Dunlop, along with its HiQ and Truck Force networks, have been appointed as the second of the two suppliers of tyres and associated services for a three-year framework agreement for a pan-government tyre sourcing initiative led by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA), in conjunction with the Office of Government Commerce (OGC). A government spokesman told Tyres & Accessories that the framework is divided equally between the two suppliers.
Continue ReadingName Change for India’s JK
India’s third largest tyre manufacturer, J.K. Industries, have announced that their company name is to change to JK Tyre and Industries, with effect from May 23,2007.
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