Bandag Shareholders Approve Sale
Bandag Inc. held their final shareholders’ meeting on April 3, at which shareholders approved the sale of the retreader to Bridgestone Americas Holding, subsidiary of the Japanese tyre major, for US$1.05 billion. Bandag will become part of the US Bridgestone operation once the deal closes, which is expected to take place during the second quarter. Bandag spokesman Bill Block said the companies are awaiting regulatory approval in Europe and Canada before the deal is completely finalised, but anticipate no complications.
Continue ReadingNew Vans and New Look for Kwik-Fleet Mobile
Kwik-Fit’s newest mobile vans have hit the road featuring a revamped livery that is also being rolled out across the company’s fast-fit centres nationwide. The first of 23 new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans joining the 200-strong mobile fleet in the next three months is now in service displaying the new blue, white and yellow livery and Kwik-Fit logo. The Sprinters are all 3.5 tonne 2.2 litre 311 CDI medium wheel base, hi-roof vehicles featuring the latest tyre changing technology. The new vehicles are equipped with ‘third arms’ – meaning that ultra-low profile and run-flat tyres can be replaced where the driver wants - home or work – alleviating the necessity of having to take their vehicle to a Kwik-Fit centre. The mobile units are also equipped with the latest wheel balancing machines, giving technicians the ability to fit up to 22-inch tyres - the current maximum is 20 inches - and, to improve health and safety, the on-board compressor is now driven by power take-off units via the vehicle’s engine instead of a separate generator.
Continue ReadingAndreoli & Associates Introduces Online TPMS Resource
(Akron/Tire Review) Andreoli & Associates Inc., a software and services provider for the tyre and auto service industry, debuted a new online resource for TPMS data at the North Carolina Tire Dealers & Retreaders Annual Convention and Trade Show. The subscription-based service, at www.TPMSguide.com, is operated by Andreoli & Associates, with data provided by Motor Information Systems, a provider of OEM vehicle data. “Independent tyre and auto service professionals are being faced with servicing an increasing percentage of vehicles equipped with a wide variety of TPMS systems, many which require unusual reset and retain procedures,” said Mike Andreoli, president of Andreoli & Associates. “TPMSguide.com brings all the latest information together in one place, easily located by vehicle type. It is the most complete, up-to-date resource for TPMS data, including sensor and control module locations, as well as procedures for resetting, retraining, diagnostics, wiring, and replacement of components.”
Continue ReadingAdaptable Smart Repair
Yorkshire based smart repair supplier Ayce Systems is returning to Brityrex, and – thanks to the success it experienced at Brityrex 2005 - has doubled the size of its stand. Ayce will exhibit a cross section of products from its extensive range but the centrepiece will be their highly successful Wheelrite Pro, an all-in-one alloy wheel repair kit. Unlike some systems on the market, Wheelrite Pro uses automatic pneumatic clamping, which Ayce reports can handle all designs of car and motorcycle wheels up to 22-inches in diameter, with or without a central hole. Because of this adaptability Ayce says the Wheelrite Pro is proving particularly popular with independent repair workshops.
Continue ReadingNew Website and Focus for Alcar
Following the success of last year’s end user advertising campaign with the BSA brand, Kent based wheel distributors Alcar Wheelright Ltd are focusing on their house brand Dotz during 2007. Having introduced seven new styles, including unveiling of the new ‘dull anodised’ finishes on its ‘Radium’ and ‘Roadster’ ranges, Alcar will embark on an end user and trade advertising campaign to push home the company’s re-focus on the Dotz brand. In addition to passenger car wheels, Dotz has released its first wheel dedicated purely to the SUV market. The ‘Omega’ is available only in a 22-inch size and Alcar report the wheel is already developing a lot of interest within the SUV market sector.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Engineered Products Earns Top Supplier Award
Goodyear Engineered Products has gained a significant recognition from leading US construction aggregate supplier Vulcan, beating strong competition to win Vulcan’s 2006 Gold Supplier Award. The company was evaluated upon the products services and technical support, amongst other criteria, and was awarded one of the top scores in all these categories. Our associates and vast distributor network earned this recognition because of their commitment to supplying world-class products and service to Vulcan locations across the country, said Mike Braucher, Goodyears marketing manager for conveyor belts. We are proud to receive the award from this industry leader.
Continue ReadingWhite Grooves to Differentiate F1 Tyres
Bridgestone has confirmed it will use white markings to distinguish the softer compound tyre options used in the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix. The marking, applied to the bottom of the tyres’ second inside groove, was one of a number of options tested during practice days in Sepang following complaints about the red dots used during the Australian Grand Prix.
Continue ReadingPower Anywhere, Anytime
As sole UK and European suppliers of 12/24v dc air compressors, Absolute Air Solutions are proud to be associated with the XD3000 compressor, which they intend to exhibit at Brityrex for the first time. Featuring Presolite motors and state of the art control electronics, the XD3000 is capable of delivering shop performance on the road and is designed for extended duty cycles. With a compact design it can be easily mounted in a wide range of locations, providing power where it’s needed most. The XD3000 is competitively priced, and as it has no petrol engine, filters, spark plugs or carburettors to maintain the costs are greatly reduced. As the XD3000 emits no harmful exhaust emissions and creates low levels of noise pollutions, it is fully compliant with new government legislation. The compressor’s lubrication system virtually eliminates outside contaminants and oil emissions.
Continue ReadingYokohama to Increase Consumer, OTR Tyre Prices
(Akron/Tire Review) Yokohama Tire Corp. announced that, effective May 1, it will increase prices on consumer tyres up to 7 per cent and OTR tyres from 3 to 5 per cent. Specific OTR tyres affected by the increase include large bias OTL and OTX and large radial ORL sizes, according to Gary Nash, Yokohama’s director of OTR tyre sales. We are doing our best to limit these price increases, but raw material, manufacturing and transportation costs continue to escalate, said Dan King, director of sales for consumer products. In-line adjustments will be announced at a later date, the tyremaker added.
Continue ReadingYear Round Performance from Avon
Taking into account today’s unpredictable weather, the ever-rising performance of bikes and motorcyclists wishing to use their machines in a far more diverse manner than ever, Avon started with a blank canvas for its new sports-touring tyre, the Storm-ST. And by implementing new manufacturing and development processes at their factory in Melksham, Avon built on the qualities cherished by users of their Azaro-ST whilst making improvements in other areas. The result is a tyre that allows a rider to get the most from their machine in all seasons and conditions. Avon believes that it is not necessary to use two compounds to produce a tyre that is hard in the centre and softer at the edges. Instead the company uses what they call Advanced-Variable Belt Density (A-VBD) construction features - Aramid fibres that are wound round the tyre densely in the centre section and then progressively spaced out as it reaches the edges.
Continue ReadingIndia’s BEML to Produce OTR Tyres With Apollo & JK Tyres
India’s Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) has announced its intention to diversify into the manufacture of OE and replacement market OTR tyres for mining applications. Along with its major customer, Coal India, BEML will work on this venture jointly with Apollo Tyres and JK Tyres. The OTR section is seen as a highly attractive market segment in India due to the larger profit margins offered compared with passenger car and truck tyres. Furthermore, at present 80 per cent of the OTR tyres sold in India are imported.
Continue ReadingAvon Tyres British GT Series – GT Heaven
Aston Martin DBRS9, Lamborghini Gallardo, Jaguar’s new XKR, Ferrari 430, Porsche GT3RS, Ascari KZ1R and the iconic Dodge Viper are among the mouth-watering line-up of GT machinery that will grace this year’s Avon Tyres British GT Championship. And, of course, these dream machines will be shod with Avon motorsport tyres. Avon Tyres Motorsport, the racing division of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe Ltd, won the contract to supply control tyres to GT Championship series for the 2006 to 2008 race seasons. This year’s season rumbles into action at Oulton Park, Cheshire, on Easter weekend, April 7-9.
Continue ReadingSlam Dunk from the Sky
Two US university students have made history by successfully making what is said to be the world’s longest basketball shots. From their vantage point in the gondola of the Goodyear blimp, hovering 500 feet above the ground, Stacey Freyer and Jennifer Hanson – both avid supporters of their University basketball teams – cast a regulation size basketball towards a 100-foot hoop on the ground. Freyer and Hanson were amongst four students selected to attempt the shot, winners of the Goodyear “Get There” Blimp Shot Contest, part of the tyremaker’s new nationwide advertising campaign. In recognition of their successful shots both Freyer and Hanson received a number of “Get There” prizes, including travel, accommodation and tickets for two to attend one of the sporting events for which the Goodyear blimp will provider aerial coverage for during the next 12 months. As an added bonus, video of both winning shots and the balls they used will be added to the exhibits at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield Massachusetts.
Continue ReadingBrityrex the Show the UK Tyre Industry Needs – Micheldever
Prominent wholesaler Micheldever Tyre Services has revealed plans for a major sales offensive during May’s Brityrex International’07 exhibition. The company intends to place a strong emphasis upon its private brand car tyres, which include ranges from Kumho, Falken, Sportiva, Enduro and Fullrun. BF Goodrich and General will also feature on Micheldever’s display as the leading replacement brands for the 4x4 market. Underlining the importance of the show, a 12-strong sales team has been assigned to the three-day event at Manchester’s G-MEX Centre. “We can’t wait for the exhibition to start, said Alan Baldwin, Micheldever’s UK director of wholesale. “As far as Micheldever is concerned, Brityrex is the show that the UK tyre industry needs and deserves. We’re fully committed to making it a big success for us, our customers and the organisers, who have had the confidence to revitalise the event.”
Continue ReadingRacing Car Rolls on Potato Tyres
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a racing car that is perhaps as tasty as it is fast. The environmentally friendly vehicle, the brainchild of the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), a research think tank and solution provider based at the university, has tyres made from potatoes and brake pads from cashew nut shells. The car also runs on bio fuels and bio lubricants. The racer was originally designed with a top speed of 125mph, but following ‘tweaking’ by project manager Ben Wood it is now capable of speeds as high as 150mpg, provided there is a straight road and a tailwind available.
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