New Kayaba UK Website
Kayaba has revamped its website, giving it a fresh, user-friendly look. It is divided into two sections – one for mechanics and one for distributors – and the latter section features an online version of Kayabas 2005 shock absorber catalogue, plus company information, press releases and product information.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Earnings Double
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has reported second quarter results which show net income more than doubled to $69 million. The company explained that price increases and an improved product mix helped to offset raw material prices. In addition the favourable impact of currency translation is said to have added about $108 million to the sales total.
Continue ReadingMixed Fortunes for Michelin in First Half
Michelin has published its financial results for the first half of the year, showing a 0.1 per cent increase in net sales over 1H 2004 to 7.49 bn euros and a rise in net income of 5.5 per cent to 385.9 m euros. At first reading, these results seem to indicate stability and business as usual, but in fact the story behind them is one of wildly differing performances in the various geographic and product sectors, set against a background of inexorably rising raw material costs. Of the 7.49 bn euros turnover, car tyre sales were 4.12 bn, while truck tyre sales accounted for 2.41 bn euros. Operating income was 679 m euros, of which 383 m was car tyres and 283 m truck tyres.
Continue ReadingHoneywell signs UK distribution agreement for BENDIX brand
In a quest to constantly improve levels of service and as part of their overall reinforcement of the BENDIX and JURID brands in Europe for 2005, Honeywell Aftermarket UK has formed a partnership with G.P. Automotive, starting the beginning of August 2005, G.P. Automotive will become a warehouse distributor for all BENDIX products (friction materials, hydraulics, brake discs and drums, brake fluid…) with a capacity to serve all BENDIX customers on a next-day delivery basis. Bendix products are shipped to the UK directly from the two European Honeywell platforms located in France and Germany. G.P. Automotive will carry a very wide range of stock at their Kidderminster warehouse, which will accept stock orders up until 4.00pm and emergency orders until 5.00pm. The aim is to increase the penetration of the Bendix brand in a controlled and targeted manner through G.P. Automotives vast knowledge of the U.K. aftermarket which is covered by their widely experienced sales team.
Continue ReadingIndian Manufacturers Race for Falcon Tyres
Indian news sources are reporting that the race for Falcon Tyres is hotting up, with the Hero Group and Metro Tyres entering the fray to acquire the two-wheeler tyre maker. Sources say Apollo Tyres and JK Tyres, who were earlier in the race, have dropped out because of various reasons. The Bangalore-based Falcon Tyres is part of late Manu Chhabrias Jumbo group. The company markets its tyre under the Dunlop brand. If successful, Falcon’s acquisition will give the Hero Group an entry into the tyre business, while Metro will leapfrog to number two position in the Indian ‘two-wheeler tyre market,’ from a distant fifth at the moment. Asked to comment, Sunil Kant Munjal, CEO and managing director, Hero Corporate Services, refused to confirm or deny the move. “I just dont want to discuss whether we are interested in Falcon or not,” said Mr Munjal.
Continue ReadingBridgestone to Gain F1 Teams
The Williams, Red Bull and possibly the Toyota Formula 1 teams are to join the Bridgestone camp next season, German publication “Auto Motor & Sport” has reported. Bridgestone currently provides tyres to Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi, while Michelin produces tyres for all the remaining teams. This could mean that the current 7:3 ratio in favour of Michelin could become 6:4 in favour of Bridgestone next year. Both Bridgestone and Ferrari are likely to see the news as a positive development, as the manufacturer is currently only basing its data on one top team.
Continue ReadingAmerityre and Ace Products Agree Licensing Deal
Amerityre Corporation. Richard Steinke, president and CEO of Amerityre Corporation, today announced that Amerityre has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Ace Products, LLC, for a proposed transaction involving the licensing of certain technology and the sale of certain manufacturing equipment and inventory.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Set to Raise Prices
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has informed its North American dealers that it will be increasing tyre prices between 5 and 8 per cent across the board as of 1 September. The increase impacts its Goodyear, Kelly Springfield and Dunlop brands, as well as all associate and private brands. Goodyear said consumer tyre prices will jump between 5 and 8 per cent, commercial tyre prices will increase up to 5 per cent, and OTR tyre prices will go up between 5 and 8 per cent. Rising raw material and “transportation” costs were cited as the reason for this round of increases.
Continue ReadingCarlisle Continues 29 Years of Dividend Increases
The board of directors of Carlisle Companies Incorporated has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on 1 September 2005 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 19 August 2005. This marks the 29th consecutive year of dividend increases for Carlisle shareholders. Richmond McKinnish, Carlisle’s president and CEO commented, “We are pleased to be able to continue Carlisle’s long history of rewarding our shareholders by increasing Carlisle’s quarterly dividend.”
Continue ReadingNine-Year Tyre Life
Colchester-based Hamblion Transport is still using the original Michelin 295/80 XDE drive axle tyres on its five and six year old 18 tonne 4x2 rigids, despite each vehicle having covered over 500,000 km since being purchased new. According to a Transport News Network story, the tyres are still in their ‘second life’ phase, having just been regrooved, and have yet to be sent back to Michelin to be RemiXed for a third life, let alone regrooved a second time for a fourth life. “In effect, this means that simply by adopting a professional tyre management policy and following Michelin’s four lives tyre package, the tyres should be good for over 1,000,000 km,” explains Barry Hamblion, managing director.
Continue ReadingCooper Opening New DC in Texas
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is set to open a new 400,000-square-foot distribution center in Grand Prairie, Texas. The new facility, said Cooper, will improve its service to customers in the Southwest, South and Midwest regions of the US.
Continue ReadingThe Aftermarket Show Launches Website
The Aftermarket Show has launched a new website to provide visitors and exhibitors with further details about the industry event. The website, www.theaftermarketshow.com offers information about the show’s exhibitors, conferences and seminars, and facilities at the event. The site will also allow visitors to pre-register in the forthcoming months leading up to the event.
Continue ReadingNew Vans for Viking
UK wholesaler, Viking International, has invested more than £500,000 in distribution by replacing 34 of its vehicles with new Mercedes Sprinters vans for its nine warehouse distribution centres. This investment further strengthens its fleet that already consists of 100 vehicles. Mike Curry, managing director for Viking International, explained: “We need to guarantee at all times that our customers get the best possible service and that means we have to continually invest in our company. “These vans are our face to the customer and they cover considerable distances each year. It is essential that they remain in top condition to ensure that we can continue to maintain our reputation for service delivery.”
Continue ReadingGroup Tyre Puts E-commerce to Work
Group Tyre claims to have seen “huge benefits” by continually investing in IT and embracing the e-commerce route. “We are constantly innovating,” says Group Tyre chairman John Church, “because we are committed to delivering a national-strength service, with immediacy of response on a truly local basis. By making IT work positively for us, we can provide a service that is literally second-to-none.” The Group Link Virtual Warehouse is the main service offered to Group Tyre’s national wholesale network. The Windows based system confirms stock availability by providing real time stock data and expected delivery times. Together with mark-up guidelines, Group Link enables a customer enquiry to be processed with delivery and cost advised on the spot. The benefits of offering an e-commerce solution have been an improvement in customer care and sales which have had a massive impact in the independent tyre sector, says Group Tyre.
Continue ReadingSnap-on Announce Growth in Profits
Snap-on Incorporated, parent company of UK companies UK Equipment, Snap-on Tools and Sun Diagnostics, has just announced a 20 per cent rise in second quarter pre-tax profits to US$ 26.6 million. Jack Michaels, Snap-on’s CEO commented on the company’s goals: “We continue to believe that by placing urgent emphasis on improved customer responsiveness, and maintaining our strong heritage of product quality, performance and innovation, we can substantially strengthen our brands’ global appeal.” “These results demonstrate that our corporation continues to deliver profitable growth in a very competitive business environment”, said Brian O’Sullivan, general manager UK Equipment. “In recent years Snap-on has invested heavily in new product design and the rewards for this can be seen in the continuing improvement in the companies fortunes”.
Continue Reading
