Solution for Worn Out Tyres Proposed
Only a day after reports slamming the endemic practice of re-selling worn out tyres in South Africa comes news of a potential remedy to this life threatening state of affairs.
Only a day after reports slamming the endemic practice of re-selling worn out tyres in South Africa comes news of a potential remedy to this life threatening state of affairs.
The sale of unsafe second-hand tyres has become a major contributor towards road fatalities in South Africa, according to the body representing South Africa’s tyre manufacturers, the South African Tyre Manufacturing Conference (SATMC).
UK and international Novex dealers were recently given first-hand insight into the production of and technical knowledge behind the tyres they sell. In a visit to the Dunlop Tyres International facility in Durban, South Africa, a selected group of retailers were taken through the stages of manufacture that go into each Novex car and light commercial tyre.
Established in 2002, Lawlyn Vulcanising Systems are a growing company that specialise in the manufacture of vulcanising systems for the repair of radial and cross ply earth mover tyres in sizes between 24 and 63 inches.
Netherlands-based international wholesaler, Van den Ban, prides itself on being able to provide a comprehensive range of competitively priced tyres and, furthermore, describes itself as a leading player within the highly competitive UK market. In November VDB launched a new e-commerce site which is said to provide clients with an even more user friendly system that constantly updates prices.
A weaker rand in recent months and price increases in raw material has put pressure on the South African (SA) tyre industry, according to the chief executive at Continental Tyres SA. Claudio Boezio told journalists the last 18 months had been expensive for the manufacturing industry.
Chemvulc Marketing manufacture, wholesale and retail the Chemvulc range of tube and tyre repair materials. A complete portfolio of tyre tools, weights, accessories, inflation equipment, automotive valves for passenger to earthmover tyres, retreading equipment and consumables, are produced. These products are supplied to a wide range of tyre dealers and retreaders throughout South Africa and bordering nations. The company has some 60 per cent of the market in tyre repair materials in South Africa. Exports to other countries are constantly developing and enquiries are invited from perspective customers anywhere in the world.
Bridgestone South Africa has introduced a new ‘Super’ range of the company’s well known Firestone HP3000, PSD3000 and UT3000 steel cord radial truck tyres. According to Bridgestone SA vice president of sales and marketing, Johnny Kuroki, the new range is much improved despite the fact that there is no change in external appearance. Allegedly, the changes are the result of ongoing research and development and the range incorporates Bridgestone’s latest design and manufacturing technology.
After more than a quarter of a century since the last tyre show in the country, the recent Tyrexpo Africa 2006 held in South Africa was a great success. Based at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, more than a hundred national and international exhibitors took part, including Michelin, Bandag and Vipal as well as many international wholesalers. The show’s floorspace was sold out. The organisers, ECI, were optimistic about the response to the show and said that the next step is to follow this exhibition with an even bigger event in 2008. The first comments from exhibitors sounded positive. The exact visitor statistics will be published later this week.
At just 34 years old Gianluca Lionetto was appointed as managing director of Pirelli Asia in July, gaining responsibility for Pirelli activities in 14 Asian countries excluding China and Japan. Before taking on this new role Lionetto spent one year as a managing director in South Africa, following two years as marketing director there. His successor as head of Pirelli South Africa is 35 year-old Alessandro Marchi.
The inaugural Tyrexpo Africa exhibition will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 12 – 14 September and is the latest event in the portfolio of ECI International, following on from Tyrexpo Asia (based in Singapore) and Brityrex International (UK).
Hercules Tire International, based in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, is the largest independent tyre exporter in North America, with warehouses in Canada, the USA and China. The company’s export lines cover a vast range of different brands, prices and grades of tyre, from passenger car and light truck tyres to very large off-the-road and speciality tyres. Hercules’ own brands include Hercules, Merit, Electra and Ironman – all of which are manufactured in the USA and China.
September will see the launch of Tyrexpo Africa 2006 – the only independent tyre trade event focusing on every aspect of the tyre industry – which will take place from 12 to 14 September at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Look out for full coverage in Tyres & Accessories magazine and online services over the coming months.
Apollo Tyres Ltd’s un-audited financial results for the first quarter of the 2006-07 financial year show net sales grew over 33 per cent to 757.2 billion rupees from 568 billion rupees. The company also reported that a 20 per cent growth in unit volume was led by increased radial car and truck tyre sales. Post tax profits remained stable at 1.62 billion rupees. In the past quarter Apollo has raised selling prices by around 9 per cent across its range.
Bandag, Incorporated reported consolidated net sales for second quarter 2006 of $247.3 million compared to consolidated net sales of $227.3 million in second quarter 2005, an increase of nine percent. Consolidated net sales were positively impacted by approximately $4.1 million due to the effect of translating foreign currency denominated net sales into U.S. dollars. Consolidated net earnings were $10.5 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for second quarter 2006, compared to second quarter 2005 consolidated net earnings of $12.7 million, or $0.65 per diluted share.
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