Back to Business at Goodyear
With the USW strike now just an unpleasant memory for Goodyear, the tyremaker is boosting production to make up for any shortfalls in supply. The eleven week strike, which affected approximately 15,000 workers across North America, came to an end on December 22 after an agreement was reached between Goodyear and the United Steelworkers union. Workers began returning to work on January 2. Goodyear has planned for a full supply of tyres to become available soon after the return of their hourly workers, with Jon Rich, president of Goodyear’s North American tyre unit stating I have no doubt our associates will quickly return to their normal high levels of performance and productivity.
Continue ReadingIran to Benefit from Tyre Loans
The Saudi-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is planning to offer loans of approximately £4 million to help the development of Iran’s tyre industry. On January 2 details of a statement from the bank’s Iranian representative, Tahmasb Mazaheri, were made public. Mr. Mazaheri was quotes as saying that the purpose of the loan was for the purchase of raw materials for tyre production within the Islamic Republic. The IDB grants loans according to the principles of Islamic Law for the purpose of fostering economic and social progress within Muslim nations and communities.
Continue ReadingHercules Chairman and Bell Tire Owner Passes Away
(Akron/Tire Review) Joseph Russo, former president and chairman of the board of Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. and owner of Bell Tire in Cleveland, passed away on Dec. 30 after a short illness. Russo served as president of Hercules from 1971 to 1987 and as chairman of the board from 1987 to 1989. The funeral service is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Thursday, Jan. 4, at St. Adelbert Church in Berea, Ohio, with internment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Continue ReadingAirless Humvee Tyre Under Development
The Pentagon has invested US$11 million towards the development of a tyre that will withstand damage from bullets or shrapnel. The US military body is supplying funds to Resilient Technologies, who is in the process of developing a tyre filled with compressed polymers as opposed to compressed air. While this is not an entirely new concept, the company’s chief technology officer, Ali Manesh, believes that Resilient Technologies have developed ways to overcome the difficulties commonly associated with airless tyres. He claims that the tension of the polymer plastic provides strength, allowing the tyres to function as an air-filled tyre would, while the problem of heat build up during operation is not a problem for Resilient’s tyre.
Continue ReadingMichelin to Lease New Facility
International distribution facilities provider ProLogis has agreed to acquire a 32-hectare piece of land from Michelin. On this 32-hectare site in Poitiers, France, ProLogis will build a 32,000 square metre (344,000 square foot) facility for Michelin, which will then lease the property as a distribution centre under a long-term agreement. Michelin’s facility will be part of a new 139,000 square metre industrial park owned by ProLogis and said to be valued at approximately US$132 million (£67 million).
Continue ReadingAlcoa and UAW Reach Agreement
Alcoa and the UAW have formalised their agreement to end the two-month strike affecting some 830 workers at Alcoa’s Cleveland wheel manufacturing facility. UAW affiliated employees returned to work on January 2 after ratification of a new four-year labour agreement that addresses the issues of greatest importance to both parties. The agreement covers workers at the Cleveland plant where forged aluminium wheels are produced for the heavy duty truck and automotive markets, as well as forged products for the aerospace (including the Airbus A380) and industrial markets. It is claimed that the agreement will improve the plant’s competitiveness while preserving employee living standards.
Continue ReadingKumho Announces a Greener Tyre
Korea’s Kumho Tires has announced a tyremaking first, namely that it has developed products that incorporate a new environmentally friendly material known as Lyocell. Kumho will use the material in the production of tyre cord for ultra-high performance products, and the company claims that the use of Lyocell can mimimise the production of hazardous materials during the manufacturing process.
Continue ReadingTireWare Unveils Online Management System
TireWare Inc, a US based provider of business management software for tyre and vehicle service centres, has introduced what it claims to be the industry’s first subscription based online point of sale and distribution software. TireWare’s new pay as you go ‘software as a service’ system provides dealers with a whole new way of acquiring and managing their business software.
Continue ReadingNew Hofmann Megaplan Customer Service Manager
Hofmann Megaplan has expanded its internal team with the appointment of Mike Towner (35) as Customer Service Manager. He brings a wealth of experience to the company, having spent the last 18 years in the automotive service industry, progressing from mechanic through to Aftersales Manager within a dealership environment. Responsible for all aspects of customer service, the appointment is designed to maintain Hofmann Megaplans reputation for exemplary service and support as the company continues to grow. We have a goal within Hofmann Megaplan that everyone coming into contact with us goes away thinking we were the best company they spoke to that day, comments MD James Boon, and Im convinced Mikes combination of technical ability and customer service skills will maintain that standard as our customer base expands.
Continue ReadingMichelin Scores Highly in Reputability Survey
Forbes magazine has ranked Michelin as the world’s fifth most reputable company. The American business magazine has published the results of a survey conducted by the New York based consulting firm Reputation Institute. Thirty thousand people worldwide were interviewed as part of the survey, with each company being assessed by participants from the company’s home country. Of the 600 companies from 25 countries included in the survey, Michelin received a score of 83.79 out of a possible 100, coming in behind Barilla Holding (87.79), Lego (86.58), Lufthansa (84.09) and IKEA (84.09). The next major tyremaker to appear on the list was Bridgestone Corporation, ranked at number 56
Continue ReadingGoodyear Finalises Sale of Tyre Fabric Operations
While most of us were struggling to get over Christmas, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company were busy finalising the sale of its tyre fabric operations to South Korea’s Hyosung Corporation. The deal was closed on December 29, pending post-closing adjustments and the sale of its operation in Americana, Brazil.
Continue ReadingAll the Best for 2007
This is our final news for the year, so the team here at Tyres & Accessories would like to thank you for making our newsletter a success during 2006. Have a wonderful Christmas and we wish you every success in 2007. See you next year!
Continue ReadingNew Online Retailer Enters US Market
American tyre purchasers have just become even more spoiled for choice following the announcement that a new online retailer - Discountwheeloutlet.com – has opened its virtual doors to the public. Discountwheeloutlet.com, who claim to sell to the public at wholesale prices, stock more than 10,000 custom wheels for cars, trucks and SUV vehicles. Due to their large stock levels, the company is able to offer their customers same day shipping, and can even offer customers wheel, tyre and accessory packages including free mounting and balancing. According to the company, Discountwheeloutlet.com is the largest single warehouse distributor in the Pacific Northwest area of the US.
Continue ReadingSpeculation Grows as Goodyear and USW Talks Continue
With very little real information coming out of the negotiations between Goodyear and the USW, word of both positive and negative progress has filtered through the ranks of both parties’ supporters. USW union leaders have reportedly commented that, despite the latest round of talks, Goodyear and the USW still have little common ground on the key issues behind the ongoing strike at Goodyear’s North American plants. A union spokesperson said that talks will continue, but added that when it comes to the future of the Tyler plant, the company has not deviated much from it’s original stance.
Continue ReadingNew Marangoni Facility
Marangoni Meccanica, the division of the Marangoni Group responsible for designing and developing new tyre technology, has recently inaugurated a new facility in Roverto, Italy. The new 11,000 m² facility will house approximately 80 employees involved in large research projects related to developing new hardware and ideas.
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