‘Arson’ at Phillip White Tyres Causes £500,000 Damage
Two simultaneous fires at Phillip White Tyre depots in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland have caused half a million pounds of damage, according to proprietor Phillip White. As a result up to 10 staff may loose their jobs. Phillip White Tyres premises have been targeted three times before, twice in Armagh and once in another location. Phillip White said he was “devastated” about the latest incidents, but hopes to have businesses running as normal as possible in the coming weeks.
Continue ReadingMichelin and Pirelli Tie-up Speculation
Various media sources are reporting speculation about Michelin’s intentions towards Pirelli Tyre. The rumours come after Italy’s Finanza & Mercati reported that banker Gerardo Braggiotti was studying the possibility of such a tie-up between the two companies. However, French tyre group Michelin had no comment to make about the Italian newspaper reports, according to Reuters. A source close to the bank involved reportedly told Reuters the story was completely without foundation.
Continue ReadingBreakthrough in Pirelli Talks
Talks between Pirelli and the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) have resulted in Pirelli tabling an “improved” pay deal. Although exact details of the pay offer have not been disclosed T&G representatives told Tyres & Accessories that it was enough for the union to “suspend” industrial action. According to T&G, the details will be released once the union members have been notified of the new offer. A ballot will be conducted in the first week of September. “The proposals we will now put to our members are a significant improvement on the company’s previous ‘final’ offer,” said T&G national organiser for manufacturing Peter Booth. “The offer fully justifies the strong stance taken by our members in support of their pay claim, and I believe it an acceptable conclusion to this claim.” Pirelli originally offered workers a 1.1 per cent pay rise back in April. This was followed by the 2.2 per cent offer which provoked the union’s strike ballot. The latest offer, which was negotiated with the assistance the conciliation service ACAS, seems sure to be in excess of this. Pirelli representatives were unavailable for comment. A union spokesperson refused to comment on the unions perspective of the long-term future of the Carlisle plant until after the ballot.
Continue ReadingColway and Greenway 4X4 Tyres “Love Mud”
C-Tyres Ltd, the UK-based manufacturer of the Colway and Greenway brands of retread tyres, points out that more and more off-road enthusiasts enjoy the C-Trax Mud Terrain tyres, with an increasing number of 4x4 users who predominantly drive “off-road” opting for Greenway specialist off road tyres.
Continue ReadingTIA Supports Rolling Resistance Legislation
On 18 July the US Tire Industry Association (TIA) announced its support of House Resolution 5632, after “much deliberation,” TIA has decided to support H. R. 5632. The TIA Government Affairs Committee was able to come to a consensus after weighing the pros and cons of the legislation, the association said in a statement. “We were very pleased to receive feedback and questions from our membership regarding H.R. 5632,” said TIA President, Bob Malerba. “It was extremely helpful to our Government Affairs Committee in making a decision on whether to support the bill.”
Continue ReadingArvinMeritor’s Wheels Team Receives Chrysler Gold Award
ArvinMeritor, Inc.’s Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) business group steel wheels team recently received a Chrysler Group Gold Award for outstanding performance in 2005. This designation places ArvinMeritor among the highest-rated suppliers to the Chrysler Group.
Continue ReadingEU Commission Extends Thule/Pewag Investigation Period
The EU Commission has decided to extend its investigation into Thule’s, a world leader in Sports Utility Transportation, acquisition of Pewag Schneeketten GmbH which was made public on 31 March this year. “The European Commission needs more time to investigate into the consequences for customers and consumers in markets such as Italy, Austria and France”, comments Anders Pettersson, CEO and President of Thule AB. “The complexity of the market conditions makes this further investigation necessary and we support this step. We estimate that the final decision will be made in approximately four months”, concludes Anders Pettersson.
Continue ReadingDeldo Already Sold Over 1 Million Winter Tyres
Deldo Autobanden (Belgium) has already pre-sold over 1 million winter tyres. The vast majority of these are made up of sales of the company’s Eurowin, Sunny and Wanli products, but between 60,000 and 70,000 premium winter tyres have also been pre-ordered. Deldo made the announcement alongside the news that it is publishing a new winter catalogue for the 2006/2007 season.
Continue ReadingDunlop Gears Up For Longest UK Race
The Britcar 24 Hours is seen by some as the jewel in the UK endurance racing crown. Following the successful inaugural event in 2005, the marathon race returns to Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit from 9-10 September and has attracted a diverse range of cars, and headline sponsorship from Dunlop. With the biggest starting line-up in UK racing, up to 80 cars are expected to take to the grid for the 24 Hour race, including Porsches, Ferraris, BMWs and TVRs.
Continue ReadingUnion, Goodyear Back to the Table, Remain Far Apart
(Akron/Tire Review) Even as both sides continue to pick over the fine print of the United Steelworkers (USW) new three-year master contract with Michelin North America, Goodyear and the Steelworkers reportedly remain far apart in their contract talks. Goodyear’s union workers continue on the job, working on a day-to-day basis off their now expired contract. The USW’s deal with MNA has been established as the “pattern contract” for ongoing talks with Goodyear and now stalled talks with Bridgestone/Firestone.
Continue ReadingSureSeal Rimless Retreading Rings
Taray International’s latest product offering is a selection of “SureSeal” rimless retreading rings. According to the company, the rings have been manufactured using a high quality rubber compound which was developed to be light and easy to manoeuvre, provide extended use and cause minimal wear. The rubber ring is produced using injection-moulding technologies, which gives them their seamless form and strength.
Continue ReadingJohn Edwards Pleads CTNA Workers’ Case in Letter to Alan Hippe
John Edwards, former US Senator from North Carolina and vice presidential candidate, has written a letter to Alan Hippe, CEO and president of Continental Tires North American (CTNA) expressing his concern over the German companys alleged violations of US labour laws at the Charlotte, North Carolina plant.
Continue ReadingMichelin: Energy Tyres Have Saved 9.5 billion litres of fuel since 1992
Since Michelin launched “Energy” tyres in 1992, the products have prevented production of 23 million tonnes of CO2 and saved 9.5 billion litres of fuel, according to the company. The impressive environmental statistics were explained in a presentation made by Michelin to delegates attending the International Business Day immediately before the opening of the British International Motor Show at the end of July. The figures also hark back to other impressive claims the manufacturer made earlier in the year, ruffling a few feathers as it went.
Continue ReadingSheffield Fitters Celebrate 45 Years of Tyres
Two Sheffield tyre fitters are still working at the same company 45 years after first picking up a spanner there. Keith Booth, a truck tyre fitter based on Stainiforth Road, and Peter Staton, manager of the Dexel Tyre’s Frecheville branch, are among eleven key workers recognised by Dexel for working over 25 years at the firm. Between them, the group have racked up 394 years, an average of 33 years each. Keith Booth is still fitting truck tyres for local and national fleets including Dexel’s 24/7 motorway breakdown service.
Continue ReadingKwik-Fit Offers Vehicle Servicing and MoTs to Fleets
Fleets can now get their company cars and light commercial vehicles serviced and MoT’d at Kwik-Fit centres. Around 230 of Kwik-Fit’s nationwide network of 670 centres are now equipped to undertake interim and full services on all-makes of vehicles and 250 centres will also be capable of undertaking MoTs by the end of 2006. Following the completion of a long-time retail pilot, Kwik-Fit is now extending its servicing and MoT capability to all fleets.
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