Tag: Northern Ireland
50,000 MOT tests cancelled in Northern Ireland
At least 50,000 MOT tests have been cancelled in Northern Ireland since testing ground to a halt a month ago. The Northern Ireland MOT process was thrown in crisis on 21 January after cracks were found on lifts at many test centres owing to the fact that all MOTs are run by the DVA, a Northern Ireland government agency, which had bulk bought the same model of lift for all its centres.
Northern Irish MOT lifts different to UK models
In addition to the news that the Maha Duo+1 scissor lift if the model behind the Northern Ireland MOT crisis, GEA chief executive Julian Woods has pointed out that these Irish lifts are different to UK equivalents: “Vehicle lifts used for performing MOT tests in Ireland are of a different design/specification to those required in the UK MOT market and as such we cannot compare the situations.”
Maha DUO+1 behind Northern Ireland MOT problems
Maha Ireland has confirmed that its Maha DUO+1 scissor lift is behind the Northern Ireland MOT crisis. The lift, which has been supplied to DVA centres across Northern Ireland and is also believed to have been supplied to NCT centres in the Republic of Ireland, suffering from cracking which resulted in the suspension of all car MOTS in Northern Ireland on 27 January 2020.
NI MOT Crisis: 3 more lifts operational
Three more vehicle lifts became operational at Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) test centres in Northern Ireland on 31 January as work continued to restore normal operations. Together with the two lifts that went into operation on 29 January as well as roughly 15 per cent that were not affected by the severe cracking reported across 85 per cent of the DVA network, this means that the Northern Irish MOT process is now running at between 15 and 25 per cent of normally capacity more than a week after all MOTs in Northern Ireland were suspended on safety grounds on 27 January 2020. Therefore, it is still likely to take months before the process is back at full speed.
NI infrastructure minister announces reviews
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced reviews into the MOT fiasco during a visit to DVA’s Boucher Road test centre on 28 January. Speaking from the test centre, Minister Mallon said: “I have just been in speaking with staff here at the Boucher Road DVA centre. Staff are working tirelessly on the frontline to process priority customers and to communicate with the public. However, I have acted decisively to minimise disruption.”
NI MOT Crisis: Minister confirms installation of two new lifts
Two new MOT lifts are being installed in DVA test centres in a bid to increase MOT capacity in Northern Ireland. The MOT process ground to a halt on 27 January 2020 when more 85 per cent of DVA lifts were deemed unsafe. Nevertheless, replacing MOT lifts is still likely to take months.
NI MOT crisis: Lift replacement could take months
24 hours after all passenger car and light vehicle MOTs were halted in Northern Ireland (NI), it has emerged that replacement of the fault lifts at the centre of the crisis could take months and cost millions of pounds. Indeed, if all 55 vehicle lifts across Northern Ireland need to be replaced, with new lifts costing between £30,000 and £40,000 each (according DVA chief executive Paul Duffy quoted in multiple sources), the total cost will be between £1.65 million to £2.2 million.
MOTs cancelled in Northern Ireland
Serious issues with vehicle lifts have led to all MoT tests for cars and light vehicles in Northern Ireland being suspended with immediate effect as of 27 January 2020.
Kerr’s Tyres & Auto creates 20 new jobs in £2.5 million investment
Northern Ireland’s Kerr’s Tyres & Auto is investing£2.5 million in a new company HQ, featuring a distribution centre and retail centres. According to the company, the expansion project will create 20 jobs, bringing the total number of employees in the company to over 100.
Kerr’s Tyres buys M & S Tyres Enniskillen
Northern Ireland-based Kerr’s Tyres & Auto has acquired M & S Tyres in Enniskillen for an undisclosed sum. According to the company, the acquisition will further strengthen Kerr’s Tyres’ regional coverage. Kerr’s have retained the current staff and are recruiting further so customer service in the region can be maintained and further services introduced.
Last tyre made in Michelin’s Ballymena plant
Production at the Michelin tyre plant in Ballymena, Northern Ireland came to an end last week. Although the facility won’t officially close until 30 June, The Belfast Telegraph writes that production ended last Wednesday, with the final tyre finished the following day.
Michelin Ballymena site to be turned into business park following factory closure
Michelin has announced plans to convert part of the site of its closing Northern Ireland manufacturing plant to a business park following its sale to Silverwood Property Developments. The tyre manufacturer will complete the closure of its Ballymena plant in June, after the last tyre rolls off its production line in April, ending 50 years of manufacturing. Some of the site – reportedly around 10 acres – has been earmarked for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, as it attempts to win its bid to host a regional Heathrow Logistics Hub, supporting proposed construction work at the West London airport.
Maximum 125 job losses at Sensata Northern Ireland
A maximum of 125 jobs will be cut at Sensata’s factory in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. Company representatives clarified their plans in response to earlier reports suggesting as many as 275 jobs were at risk. The latest information is that, while 275 employees have been told that their positions are “at risk”, the number of job losses will be capped at 125. A company spokesperson confirmed this in a statement in answer to Tyres & Accessories questions on the matter:
275 jobs ‘at risk’ at Sensata Northern Ireland TPMS sensor plant
As many as 275 jobs at Sensata Technologies (formerly known as Schrader International before the TPMS sensor business was bought by Sensata) are at risk after it was announced that 125 are being axed at the factory in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland.
Ulster Tyres celebrates its 40th anniversary
2 January 2018 is a very special day in the history of Ulster Tyres. 40 years ago the company was founded by husband and wife team Joe and Brighid McGinley. Joe was a director for a local tyre company and seen the opportunities in the tyre trade. Tentatively they opened the business in 1978 beside Whitehouse Motors in Ballybofey.