After weeks and months of mounting pressure on UK ports, the automotive industry is showing visible signs of strain. Specifically, Honda UK has halted manufacturing at its Swindon factory because it can’t get the right parts in-time to continue production. General UK tyre supply is likely to be impacted too.
The Springwater Capital financial group has made a binding offer for Fintyre, which is currently controlled by Bain Capital. No details have officially been released, but some Italian news sources are reporting that the Springwater offer includes a capital increase of 50 million euros. The company has been in talks with potential new investors since May.
As of 1 January 2020, the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) will share its address with the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) in Aylesbury. According to the association, TRA’s new address is:
The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has approved Michelin’s bid to form a tyre distribution joint venture with Toyota Kenya’s parent firm CFAO to sell tyres in Kenya and Uganda.
A giant new warehouse complex built by Michelin in the USA is now operational and capable of supplying tyres to up to three thousand regional customers. The Michelin Woodruff U70 distribution centre is, at 3 million square feet, the Michelin Group’s largest distribution centre.
Linglong Tire hosted its dealer meeting in Turin recently. The event focused on global cooperation and Linglong distributors and suppliers from all over the world were reportedly present. Dialogue with local partners was a specific talking point.
Linglong Tire confirms the signing of a US$300 million deal with Paraguay-based tyre distributor Sunset Tires. Wang Feng, chairman of Linglong Tire, put his signature on a strategic cooperation agreement along with Nabil Chamseddine, chief executive officer and president of Sunset, on 12 October.
Shandong Linglong Tire has signed a tyre distribution cooperation agreement with distributor Sunset to expand its market share in Brazil and Paraguay.
Following the news that logistics service provider ATL officially opened a new ‘ATL Midlands Hub’ in Foston on 6 September 2018, Tyres & Accessories reflects on the company’s strategic decision to move towards the tyre industry. As we have already seen, before Jon Ward Joined ATL in April 2018, he previously worked as managing director for two major automotive companies, including one of ATL’s customers – Mitas Tyres. During his time at Mitas, Ward reportedly doubled turnover in three years, whilst increasing profit and encouraging a cohesive team culture.
On 5 September Moody’s Investors Service downgraded its Probability of Default Rating and senior subordinated notes rating for American Tire Distributors, Inc., to Ca-PD (from Caa3-PD) and C (from Caa3) respectively, following the company’s proposed debt-for-equity exchange offer to holders of the rated notes. All other ratings, including the company’s Caa2 Corporate Family Rating and Caa1 senior secured bank debt (term loan) rating remain under review for downgrade.
Logistic service provider ATL officially opened ‘ATL Midlands Hub’ in Foston on 6 September 2018 to celebrate its recently built high-spec distribution centre and office facility.
To commemorate the opening, the Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, officially opened the 35,000 pallet distribution centre and offices, in attendance of over 100 local dignitaries, suppliers and customers.
Prometeon Tyre Group UK Ltd has selected Kirkby Tyres as a truck tyre wholesale partner, with the goal of enhancing its UK distribution capabilities.
With the addition of the Pirelli TBR range, Kirkby Tyres will be now be offering a full-tier commercial product portfolio from value tyres, right through to premium.
The Parts Alliance member BBC Superfactors has moved premises just a year after first opening in Preston. The new building boasts double the footprint at 10,000 square feet and has a full mezzanine too, boosting storage capacity to around 20,000 square feet.
Germany based tyre trader Andia International has made its range of 30,000 truck, MTP and earthmover commercial tyres available online in a new web shop. The newly online distributor said the retailer can check prices and availability online at any time and “order directly and comfortably around the clock.” Andia International added that online trading is an important step towards working more closely with the customer.
Michelin has opened a new distribution centre for the Iberian peninsula following investment of some 32.5 million euros. The goal of the logistics centre located in Illescas, near Toledo in Spain is to optimise logistics performance in Spain, Andorra and Portugal, not to mention the Balearics, the Canaries, the Azores and Madeira.
Pearse Walker; Pixabay