Aftermarket Show Depicts UK Industry
January’s Aftermarket Show will “depict all the key sectors of the UK aftermarket,” say organisers, with exhibitors present from each target area. More than 50 exhibitors will service the event’s chosen visitor categories including: Accessory retailers, motor factors, distributors, independent garages, fast-fits, body shops and franchises. In addition to repeat exhibitors from previous years, The Aftermarket Show has attracted new companies, from each sector of the aftermarket industry.
Continue ReadingCooper Announces 135th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co announced a quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents per share on common stock, payable 30 December to stockholders at the close of business on 2 December. According to Cooper, this is its 135th consecutive quarterly dividend.
Continue ReadingSumitomo/TBC Acquisition Closes
(Akron/Tire Review) Sumitomo Corp. of America (SCOA) announced today that its purchase of TBC Corp, for approximately $1.1 billion, has been closed. TBC will operate as a subsidiary of SCOA and continue to be led by TBCs current senior management team, the company said. “We are excited to add TBC to our growing family of companies,” said Susumu Kato SCOA president and CEO. “TBC complements our existing portfolio, and we look forward to working with them on the successful implementation of their long-term business strategy.”
Continue ReadingBridgestone Reaches Double Century
More than 200 dealerships across the country are now certified to replace run-flat tyres, as part of Bridgestone’s comprehensive Run-Flat Certificate Programme. The scheme comprises of free training for tyre dealers and fitters. To date 203 dealerships and in excess of 600 UK fitters and store managers have attained certification, and more than 400 machines have already been inspected and accredited by Bridgestone.
Continue ReadingAlcoa Forges 4 Millionth Wheel in Hungary
Alcoa Wheel Products achieved a European record when the Székesfehérvár, Hungary plant produced its four millionth forged truck wheel on 6 October 2005. Alcoa sees the achievement as a reflection of the company’s position as the largest forged aluminium wheel supplier in Europe. Customers include European truck manufacturers Scania, Volvo, Renault, DaimlerChrysler, MAN, DAF, Iveco, and European trailer manufacturers such as Feldbinder, Spitzer, Benalu, Schmitz, Krone, to name just a few.
Continue ReadingStapletons Offers Free Winter Checks
With some weather forecasters expecting a cold winter, Stapletons Tyre Services is urging motorists to ensure their vehicles and tyres are in tip-top condition to brave through the icy winter roads. Stapletons retail centres across the country are offering motorists a free winter check on their vehicles.
Continue ReadingHarris Presented with BFCA Truck Hero Award
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) has presented this year’s Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award to Kevin Harris, a truck driver in Kamloops, British Columbia. Harris “fought off flames and defied danger so that he could provide comfort to a dying fellow driver he had met only 10 minutes earlier,” said the manufacturer. He received a $3,000 check and trophy today at the Ontario Trucking Association’s annual meeting. BFCA is also donating a matching amount in Harris’ name to a memorial trust fund.
Continue ReadingNew German Winter Tyre Regulations
The German Bundesrat is set to ratify new winter tyre regulations in Germany by the end of the year. While the legislation will not actually require winter tyre usage it goes one step further than a simple recommendation. Under the new law, German drivers not using winter tyres in adverse weather conditions could be fined between 20 and 40 euros by police if they breakdown. And of course a new regulation along these lines will give insurance companies all the ammunition they need to refuse to pay-out for winter accidents involving cars fitted with summer tyres.
Continue ReadingMaxxis Signs Sponsorship Deal with Aston Villa
In a move to raise its profile among the tyre buying public and support its UK distribution network, Maxxis has signed a major sponsorship deal with Premiership football club Aston Villa. Maxxis, an acknowledged specialist in turf, cycle, 4x4, quad, light truck and ATV, has teamed up with Aston Villa FC for the remainder of the 2005/2006 season. Under the terms of the sponsorship deal, Maxxis is an Official Partner of Aston Villa FC with preferential status as supplier to the club. The company has the benefit of perimeter advertising at Villa Park and corporate hospitality facilities, as well as invaluable mainstream TV exposure.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Introduces Optitrac R+
Goodyear unveiled a new farm tyre concept OPTITRAC R+ at Europe’s leading agricultural machinery exhibition, Agritechnica. The R+ is an extension of Goodyear’s OPTITRAC family, the one stop portfolio that meets the majority of farmer’s needs both on the field and the road. According to Goodyear the OPTITRAC R+ increases the performance level for tractor tyres significantly: the tyres can carry up to 31 per cent more load, generate 10 higher traction at lower tyre inflation and operate at speeds up to 65 km/h.
Continue ReadingProfit Inflation?
There has been much talk about the supposed benefits of nitrogen inflation during the course of this year. Some people call it a gimmick, others take the view that the technological benefits are based on science and that the economic benefits are not to be sniffed at. With this in mind Tyres & Accessories addresses the myths surrounding nitrogen inflation. Nitrogen tyre inflation is more common than you might think. While comprehensive market data is difficult to come by at this relatively early stage in Nitrogen market’s development, the number of systems on the market is definitely in the hundreds. One equipment manufacturer told T&A (rather optimistically) that there are 500 of units currently on the market. If this is correct it is highly unlikely that these units are being used in tyre inflation applications.
Continue ReadingCooper Appoints Barnett, Schroeder to New Roles
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co has appointed Kerry A Barnett as director of financial planning and commercial analysis and Gary C Schroeder as director of credit. In her new position, Barnett will be responsible for developing annual plans, monthly updates and forecasts for Cooper’s North American tire division and will consolidate operating plans for Cooper-Avon and the company’s Asian operations. Barnett will also oversee customer accounting and customer profitability reporting, commercial analyses and financially related sales and marketing activities, Cooper stated in a release.
Continue ReadingMichelin Eyes Expansion in South Carolina
(Akron/Tire Review) WSOC TV in South Carolina is reporting that Michelin North America plans to invest some $80 million on upgrades to its rubber mixing and tyre plants in Anderson County, South Carolina. According to the report, MNA submitted plans to the Anderson County Council earlier this week. The station said that MNA plans a formal announcement later this month.
Continue ReadingPirelli Reaffirms Positive Guidance
Pirelli & C SpA has reaffirmed its guidance for “significant improvement” in full-year results compared with 2004. The news follows strong nine-month results, which saw net profits rise 34 per cent. Revenue in the first nine months of 2005 was 2,707 million euros, an increase of 9.8 per cent compared with 2,466 million euros on 30 September 2004. EBITDA was 412 million euros (15.2 per cent of sales), an increase of 17.7 per cent from 350 million euros in the first nine months of last year.
Continue ReadingIRSG Predicts NR Price Will Stay Strong
London-based International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) expects the price of natural rubber to remain strong in the next 10 to 15 years, increasing by about 25 to 30 US cents per kilo annually. Secretary-general Dr Hidde Smit told the Malaysia Star that the IRSG’s price forecast for NR this year was about $1.45 per kilogram, slightly higher than US$1.40 per kilo projected for 2004. “There is an upward pressure for NR prices to be traded higher, buoyed by the increasing rubber consumption in the tyre sector, particularly in China, as well as the switch to NR from higher cost synthetic rubber due to higher crude oil prices,” he said.
Continue Reading
