This month, Hercules Tire and Rubber Company celebrates its 70th anniversary. Established as a cooperative by independent tyre dealers and retreaders seeking quality products at an affordable price, the company has grown into a value segment leader that today offers a comprehensive selection of tyres under its Hercules, Ironman and Dynatrac brands.
On 7 September, American Tire Distributors (ATD) announced the completion of its Canadian subsidiary’s sale to Groupe Touchette, Canada’s largest locally-owned tyre distributor. By divesting the National Tire Distributors (NTD) business, the wholesaler says it is now “better positioned to serve its customers across the US” and to “invest in the enhanced innovation that is driving its transformation efforts.”
Canadian tyre distributor Groupe Touchette Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire National Tire Distributors (NTD), the Canadian subsidiary of American Tire Distributors (ATD). The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Groupe Touchette says the addition of NTD will “significantly contribute” to its ability to serve customers and business partners while increasing the choices it can offer customers.
Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) announced it will temporarily pause its Helly Hansen operations in Russia, which include its retail stores, eCommerce site and product shipments in a 4 March 2022 statement, which said: “The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is tragic and deeply concerning and CTC’s priority will continue to be protecting the safety and well-being of its employees. During this temporary pause in operations, store employees will continue to be paid and supported and the company will continue to honour its commercial obligations.”
Titan International, Inc. has entered into an exclusivity agreement with Kubota Tractor Corporation and Kubota Canada Limited, the Japanese agricultural machinery company’s businesses in North America. The agreement will see Titan Trac Loader II tyres fitted in selected sizes on Kubota products. These tyres will be branded with both the Titan and Kubota names on the sidewall.
Curtis Brison is the new president of Hankook Tire North America (formerly Hankook Tire America). He succeeds Sooil Lee, who remains chief executive officer of Hankook Tire & Technology. Additionally, Hankook Tire North America has promoted Robert Williams to senior vice president of Truck, Bus and Radial (TBR) sales and Jong Jin (JJ) Park to vice-president of marketing.
The Hankook Group has acquired a majority shareholding in Preciseley Microtechnology Corp, a global specialist in optical MEMS (micro-electromechanical solutions) systems. In making the acquisition, Hankook is seeking synergies with complementary technologies to generate new business and growth opportunities. The most immediately obvious of these is Preciseley Microtechnology’s optical automotive applications for 3D environment detection.
Michelin Group has named Felicia Sanders the next chief human resources officer of Michelin North America. She succeeds David Stafford, who will retire in December, and will be responsible for all employee-facing functions in the United States and Canada region.
In North America, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company recently launched its RT-3B bead-to-bead retread. According to the company, the new retread provides “all-around performance on an array of underfoot conditions for loaders and graders and complements its existing line-up of premium off-the-road (OTR) retread tyres.
The long-term partnership between Continental Tire and the top-flight men’s football league in the USA and Canada has been extended, and to commemorate this renewal of the relationship during its 150th anniversary year, Continental is gifting US$150,000 to the “incredibly passionate” fans of Major League Soccer (MLS), the Club Supporters Groups.
Off-highway tyre specialist BKT has extended the availability of its range in Canada through a new supply alliance with Fountain Tire. Effective immediately, Fountain Tire will have full access to BKT’s OTR product line-up for sale through its more than 160 locations across the country.
Kal Tire and Bridgestone Canada have reached an agreement for Kal Tire to purchase 15 full-service GCR Tires & Service (GCR) outlets, two retreading plants and one off-the-road tyre repair shop from Bridgestone. The purchase of these locations will enable Kal Tire to serve more consumer, commercial and mining customers in the Canadian markets where it currently operates, as well as expand its footprint to include locations in eastern Canada.
The price of certain aftermarket Michelin, BFGoodrich and Uniroyal passenger and light truck tyres will rise by up to eight per cent in the USA and Canada from 1 September. Prices for on- and off-road commercial tyres will increase by as much as 14 per cent, while prices for motorcycle tyres will be up to four per cent higher from the start of next month.
Continental is recalling 9,988 Continental VanContact 4Season tyres in Canada. According to the 27 April filing with Transport Canada that was updated on 5 May, “In winter conditions, the VanContact 4Season tyres that are part of the recall do not meet the minimum snow traction requirements of Canadian regulations.” And, as a result, “The tyres may not provide the expected traction in severe snow weather conditions, which may increase the risk of a crash.” Continental reports that it has not received any reports of accidents or injuries resulting from use of the tyres.
Florian Berger; Pixabay
Goodyear