IGA: fair use of apprenticeship levy to combat skilled technician shortage
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is calling for greater control of the apprenticeship levy to help reduce the shortage of skilled technicians, following statistics that suggest half of levy-funded apprenticeships are ‘fake’.
Goodyear Tyres will support TJ Transport Ltd with a five-year partnership, the company announced on 8 January 2020. Goodyear Proactive Solutions and Goodyear OMNITRAC S D MSTII will be used on the full TJ Transport Ltd fleet.
Dutch end of life tyre upcycling company Black Bear Carbon has appointed Victor Vreeken its new chief technology officer. In this role, Vreeken will lead the company’s efforts to scale-up and globally roll out its technology for converting tyre rubber into recovered carbon black, gas and biogenic oil.
Cabot buys Chinese nanotube supplier for $115 million
On 6 January 2020, Cabot China Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cabot Corporation agreed to buy Shenzhen Sanshun Nano New Materials Co., Ltd, a leading carbon nanotube (CNT) producer in China. The $115 million pricetag reportedly includes “liabilities and contingent payments”. According to the company, the move is designed to strengthen Cabot’s position in the high-growth batteries market, particularly in China, which is the largest and fastest growing electric vehicle market in the world.
A ceremony was held on 11 January to officially inaugurate car tyre production at the Hubei Linglong Tire Co., Ltd. facility in Jingmen, China. The event was held in the same location where TBR tyre production was commissioned in December and was attended by nearly 600 guests.
Cooper Tire: We want to make British Rallycross the best in the world
Just before Christmas, Motorsport UK announced it had selected Cooper Tire Europe as exclusive tyre supplier for the coming three British Rallycross Championship seasons, and as such is renaming the championship the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy Presented by Cooper Tires. The tyre maker says it is “excited” to extend its motorsport supply portfolio.
Hankook Tire opens office for Austria & Switzerland
Hankook Tire is aiming for a “double-digit” share of the market in Austria and Switzerland, and to help grow the Hankook brand in both countries it has opened a new branch office in Vienna.
Materials maker Asahi Kasei America has opened an office in Novi, Michigan to reach out to the automotive industry in North America. In North America, Asahi Kasei manufactures and sells car interior materials, compound resins, and battery separators, as well as electronic components for the automotive industry.
Continental has renewed its tyre distribution partnership with Emirates for Universal Tyres (EUT). EUT will continue as the exclusive distributor of Continental tyres in the UAE at least until 2023.
New Mercedes-Geely JV is good for both, GlobalData
Following the announcement that Mercedes-Benz and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group have formally established the global joint venture (JV) ‘smart Automobile Co., Ltd’ for the Smart brand after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals, David Leggett, Automotive Editor at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:
Machine Mart has introduced two new Intelligent Battery Chargers. The Clarke IBC25 12/24v Intelligent Battery Charger is a heavy-duty charger suitable for all types of 12V & 24V lead-acid batteries. The multiple intelligent charging stages, diagnose, recover, maintain and condition the battery. Also featuring an alternator check to identify the output percentage of the vehicles charging system.
Nokian Tyres looking to build on “pivotal year” in North America
Nokian Tyres is looking forward to growing its customer base in North America thanks to the strides it made in 2019, a year during which it set up a new facility in Dayton, Tennessee and built up its workforce in North America.
Kumho hosts dealers for conference at Tottenham Hotspur
Kumho recently utilised its role as Official Tyre Partner to Tottenham Hotspur by holding a key customer conference at the Premier League football club’s new stadium.
Bridgestone tyre retail network First Stop has announced that, as of 2020, First Stop UK has joined the NTDA in its own right. It is the first time First Stop UK has joined the NTDA. As a result of its membership, First Stop is including NTDA membership as part of its new value proposition.
Continental has introduced a new range of tyres for intercity buses. It says the Conti CoachRegio offers reliable and safe touring between cities and villages under variable speed conditions, excellent handling and high mileage on hilly and winding regional roads.
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