Bridgestone Winners Enjoy Italian Grand Prix
Ten lucky motorists are coming back down to earth after enjoying a dream trip to the Italian Grand Prix in Monza courtesy of Bridgestone UK. Eight of the winners who travelled to the Autodromo Nationale di Monza for the 9 September spectacle were runners-up in a national prize draw run in association with Ford and Rapid Fit. Four pairs of tickets were up for grabs after motorists completed an entry form at participating national outlets following a free tyre check.
Continue ReadingNexen Tire to Raise Prices in November
(Akron/Tire Review) Ontario, California-based Nexen Tire America Inc. announced price increases on passenger and light truck tyres that will take effect 1 November. The increases, up to 6 per cent, will vary by distribution channel and product line. The main reasons for the price hikes include rising raw materials, transportation and operating costs, according to Nexen.
Continue ReadingSibur Launches First All-Steel TBR
Sibur Russian Tyres Holding (SRT) has launched the first all-steel truck radial tyre made in Russia. Tubeless truck radials (branded TyRex) were recently produced at one of the company’s tyre plants and are reportedly fitted to MAN, Volvo, Scania, MAZ, KamAZ vehicles. Sibur is planning to reach 370,000 units per year in all-steel truck tyre production. About 30 per cent will be exported. There are already said to be potential clients among leading distributors in Eastern and Western Europe. Increasing demand is expected from the Middle East and Northern Africa.
Continue ReadingHi-Q “Reins” With Goodyear Tyre Safety Offers
Fast-fit network Hi-Q saddled up with Goodyear recently to ensure visitors to this year’s Blenheim International Horse Trials were as safe on four wheels as they were on four legs. Goodyear is the official British Eventing Safety and Innovation Partner and fast-fit expert, Hi-Q supported the partnership by offering vouchers to visitors and participants at the leading equestrian event which took place at the beginning of September 2006.
Continue ReadingTIC Supports Ridewell Event
One of the largest motorcycling events to be held in the UK took place in Stockton on Tees last month. Ridewell, promoted by Cleveland Police and other police forces in the north east, this year attracted over 16,000 bikers and visitors, showing it has grown in popularity and importance since its inception in 2001.
Continue ReadingItalian Justice Minister to Investigate Alleged Spy Plot
(Akron/Tire Review) Italy’s Justice Minister Clemente Mastella has ordered an internal investigation to determine whether ministry officials were involved in an alleged plot to spy on civilians, according to ANSA news agency. Police have reportedly arrested 21 people, including two senior executives from Telecom Italy and parent company Pirelli SpA. The parties have been accused of illegal phone tapping and accessing secret bank, tax, phone and judicial records.
Continue ReadingTyrexpo Africa 2006 – Met with Great Enthusiasm
For the first time since the early eighties, South Africa hosted its own dedicated tyre trade event. The three-day exhibition was held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg where over 110 national and international exhibitors took part. According to the organisers, a total of 2738 tyre trade professionals, from 44 countries, attended the show. In addition to those from within South Africa, others came from Botswana, Burundi, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Samoa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. More international visitors came from Australia, China, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, U.A.E and the US.
Continue ReadingNokian “On the Road Again”
Following positive second quarter reports Nokian Tyres is back “on the road again,” according to Deutsche Bank analysts. “Going forward we are seeing an improved mix driven by new products (Hakkapeliitta 5), less Nordic competition due to fast growth in the German winter tyre market, continued strong growth in Russia and raw material prices contracting clearly from recent peak levels,” said the analysts. The Deutsche Bank market watchers said they are pojecting more than 20 per cent earnings per share growth in 2006 and 2007.
Continue ReadingOTR Tyres Install Europe’s Biggest Remould Press
Leading earthmover tyre specialist OTR Tyres Ltd, has just installed the largest bead to bead fully automated tubeless remould earthmover tyre press in Europe at their factory near Alfreton, Derbyshire. The company reports that the new equipment weighs in at over 75 tonnes and, following installation at OTR’s Somercoates headquarters, is ready to produce massive 2700 R49 tyres. OTR has been supplying, servicing and retreading EM tyres for more than 25 years, but the current shortage of earthmover tyres has seen the company invest over £750,000 on the latest equipment, much of it designed by OTR to suit customer demand.
Continue ReadingCooper Sheds 500 Jobs at Texarkana
Cooper has notified workers at the company’s Texarkana plant of its intention to cut 400 – 500 jobs, switching the factory to a “flex” facility. Local newspapers are reporting that the factory will go to a “five-day, three-crew schedule during the second quarter of 2007.” As a result production is expected to drop 30 per cent. Production will then be decreased a further 15 per cent in 2008.
Continue ReadingKYB UK Coil Springs Catalogue
KYB has introduced a new coil spring catalogue specific to the UK market, giving details of the companys K-Flex coil spring range, which is manufactured to OE specifications. The 190-page catalogue lists over 1,900 part numbers, including many new vehicle applications and springs for commercial vehicles. KYB recommends that, as coil springs are a vital part of a vehicles suspension system, they should be replaced every four years or 50,000 miles and where possible changed at the same time as shock absorbers.
Continue ReadingBridgestone SA Introduces ‘Super’ Range of Truck Tyres
Bridgestone South Africa has introduced a new ‘Super’ range of the company’s well known Firestone HP3000, PSD3000 and UT3000 steel cord radial truck tyres. According to Bridgestone SA vice president of sales and marketing, Johnny Kuroki, the new range is much improved despite the fact that there is no change in external appearance. Allegedly, the changes are the result of ongoing research and development and the range incorporates Bridgestone’s latest design and manufacturing technology.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Launches Dubai HQ
The Bridgestone Corporation has established a strategic business unit (SBU) HQ in Dubai to cover its tyre business in the Mena region; it has also set up an SBU in Singapore for the Asia-Pacific region. Both offices are set to begin operations on 1 October. Bridgestone says it has set up the SBUs with the objective of speeding up decision-making and action and in order to optimise regional strategy.
Continue ReadingLear Corp and Transense Cooperate
Automotive supplier Lear Corp. has signed an agreement with Transense Technologies PLC to develop a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that does not require batteries and will comply with US federal regulations. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Continue ReadingNew Recruit at Cam Systems
Cam Systems has appointed the former IT and marketing manager of Broadway Tyres as part of an ongoing drive to build its account management team. PJ Aass worked closely with Cam during the two and a half years he managed the IT side of Broadway Tyres’ business. After leaving the wholesaler to complete an eight-month contract in Norway, PJ returned to the UK and the tyre industry after accepting an offer to join Cam Systems.
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