2009 - Page 204 of 205 - Tyrepress

Kumho Tire Delays Bonus Payments

The payment of bonuses to approximately 3,000 Kumho Tire employees in South Korea have been delayed due to, according to a company official, the “company’s liquidity problem.” South Korean vehicle manufacturers are currently experiencing a sharp decline in sales, the affects of which have been passed onto tyre makers.

The annual bonus payment, said the official, has been indefinitely postponed, however the company “will make its utmost efforts” to pay the bonus of 2.5 million won (£1,350) per worker.

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Unveils Wall of Shame

It’s not as glamorous as the Pirelli Calendar – which this year features an African backdrop and a bevy of elephants to complement the traditional array of stunning models – but the Kwik-Fit Tyre Wall of Shame is arguably just as compelling, and the company says it is the perfect gift in helping keep loved ones safe on the roads next year.

Kwik-Fit’s Tyre Wall of Shame 2009 calendar features a dozen shocking images of the most dangerous tyres customers brought into Kwik-Fit centres during 2008. The truly frightening part is that, whilst each tyre represents the worst example seen in that particular month, the monthly specimen represents just the tip of the iceberg. Kwik-Fit says it saw enough tyres like these in 2008 to fill at least 50 calendars.

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Wants Stoke Manufacturing to Continue Despite Downturn

Michelin’s eight decade manufacturing presence in Stoke-on-Trent is likely to be maintained despite a downturn in sales during the second half of 2008. This drop in business, reflected by the facility’s first ever prolonged Christmas period closure, may lead to job losses in 2009 – however the company retains a positive outlook for its future.

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Europe Takes Full Control of Bandag EMEA

On January 2 Bridgestone Europe NV/SA announced it has assumed full control of Bandag EMEA through the purchase of all of the shares in that company from Bridgestone Americas.

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho Wins Award for its Aircraft Tyres

Kumho Tires has won a South Korean award for its aircraft tyres. It was bestowed the Minister’s Prize of Knowledge Economy (Award for Excellence) at the ‘2008 Awards and Selection of Top 10 Technologies’ ceremony held in Seoul on December 22, 2008.

San Kim the manager at Kumho’s Airplane Tire Development Team who accepted the award, said “the selection of the airplane tyres of Kumho Tires as one of the top ten new technologies is very meaningful to us. We have contributed to national economic growth by developing the first airline tires for export.”

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

TRIB Welcomes Nine New Members

A number of companies from around the globe have joined the ranks of the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB). The newest members are Akar Makina Sanayi Ltd (Turkey), Marangoni Tread (Italy), Salvadori S.R.L. (Italy), Tire Lyna (Canada), Consolidated Tires, Inc, (USA), Sun Rubber Industry Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia), Tony Pneus S.R.L. (Italy), Phoenix Tire (USA) and Santarosa Holdings (USA).

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Receives Two Wheel Top Ranking

Dunlop’s Sportmax Roadsmart Motorcycle tyre has been ranked in first position in a Two Wheels Only Magazine tyre test. The tyre was tested in the wet and dry against the latest offerings from Pirelli, Bridgestone, Michelin, and Metzeler at the Millbrook Testing Facility in Bedfordshire.

James Whitham, top tyre tester for TWO and Isle of Man TT, World Supersport and World Superbikes champion shod a Ducati 848 to find the tyre that gave the best feedback and feel, as well as the best performance. “Straight away when you get on these you know that they are good” said James Whitham. “To get confident you need that feeling from a tyre that lets you know you can push all the way to the limit and beyond if you want to, but in complete safety. This is what the Dunlops do.”

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Cambrian Tyres, the ‘Big Seven’ Distributor

Cambrian Tyres, said to be the UK’s largest motorcycle tyre distributor, continues to offer its dealers exclusive special offers and strong customer service. The ability to do this, says Cambrian, is down to the company’s bulk buying power capabilities and a dealer-centred philosophy. The distributor’s target of being a ‘one stop tyre shop’ for dealers has been realised since its early days, and today Cambrian reports it is the leading UK customer to each of the big seven tyre manufacturers.

Customer sales and technical enquiries are handled by Cambrian’s knowledgeable telesales team, a team that between them holds years of motorcycling and industry experience, enabling them to give customers what Cambrian Tyres calls the best, unbiased advice – advice that ensures the correct tyres are chosen. 2009 sees the company launch its B2B website where account holders can order tyres or view stock availability online, making ordering, whether within or outside business hours, even easier.

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Announces Snow Tyre for WRC Ireland

The opening round of this year’s World Rally Championship kicks off in Ireland at the end of January and Pirelli – the competition’s control tyre supplier – is taking no chances when it comes to selecting the best rubber for climatic conditions. The Italian manufacturer has announced that it will be adding three 40ft truckloads of its Monte Carlo Snow tyre to its usual offering, allowing competitors to find additional grip in the ice – a major problem at 2008’s concluding Welsh rally.

Gordon Noble, the course clerk for Rally Ireland, said that while challenging conditions are a necessity for any world class rallying event, the additional safety offered by the tyre shows that competitors’ wellbeing has been taken into consideration: “Many competitors at Wales Rally GB struggled for grip on the icy roads so it is great that we have this option in place for all entrants in Rally Ireland ’09. The conditions, as in 2007, will be testing for all the drivers but at all times safety must be to the fore. With these provisions in place we will get to see the best of what the world’s top drivers have to offer.”

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Lower Exports May Lead to Further Solideal Job Losses

Plans are reportedly underway to eliminate jobs at Solideal’s Sri Lanka and China factories in response to declining exports. The manufacturer of industrial tyres recently laid off around 1,100 workers, however company founder and president Philippe Daneels indicated that a five per cent contraction in global exports is anticipated in 2009 and thus further redundancies may take place. Before the initial downsizing measures began Solideal had 8,100 employees at its production facilities.

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Names Three US Promotions

Toyo Tire & Rubber has promoted three members of its US corporate team, effective January 1. New in the position of chairman at Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. is Carlos Kibata, who has worked for Toyo for more than 37 years. Before accepting this latest post, Kibata served as president of subsidiary Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corporation, president of Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. and most recently, president and CEO of Toyo Tire Holdings.

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sport SUV Range From Interstate

Interstate Tires has introduced a new line of tyres, called Sport SUV GT, which comprises a number of popular replacement sizes for small and full size SUVs. The tyres are being marketed as Interstate’s first low rolling resistance SUV tyres, with consequent fuel saving benefits, but without sacrificing tread life or traction.

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

TGI Launches Online Ordering System

Tire Group International has today (5 January 2009) launched its new online ordering system. The launch is being described as the final step in a two-year long programme of Improvements to the company’s existing system, which have included the implementation of a fully operational warehouse management system (WMS) integrated to a new back-office ERP system.

TGI partnered with Radiant Software Solutions to tailor a complete software solution for all of its needs, allowing TGI to increase sales in 2008 by over 20 per cent without any additional employees. The technology has also helped the company become more ecologically friendly and is now virtually paperless.

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

BERU f1systems Develops Infra Red Tyre Heat Sensor

BERU f1systems has developed a high resolution infra-red tyre sensor designed to help optimise vehicle set up and tyre performance in the wake of restricted F1 testing. According to the company, it is the first time a sensor providing temperature and pressure data unaffected by heat soak has been produced by BERU f1systems.

“Tyre temperature sensors are normally fitted to the rim as part of the valve,” says managing director John Bailey. “Heat soak from the rim and brakes distorts results leading to incorrect set up. Our system uses IR sensors to measure the inside temperature of the tyre itself, not just the air temperature.”

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Schaeffler Sells 5.5% of its Conti Shares to Sal. Oppenheim

Schaeffler Group has reportedly transferred 5.5 per cent of the shares it holds in Continental AG to Sal. Oppenheim Jr. & Cie. Stock tendered by Continental investors gave Schaeffler direct and indirect control of 90 per cent of the company, almost doubling an agreed limit of 49.99 per cent. Schaeffler Group spokesperson, Detlef Sieverdingbeck, told Tyres & Accessories that the transfer of shares to Sal. Oppenheim was the first such move and that more will follow.

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

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