2009 - Page 28 of 205 - Tyrepress

Kwik-Fit Signs for 3 More Years of DriveRight Data

Kwik-Fit has renewed its contract with data suppliers DriveRight for a further three years. The deal sees Kwik-Fit continue the customer focus of its online store front, with facilities that allow clients to shop for tyres and alloy wheels that fit their car by entering the vehicle details or registration number. According to a company statement, Kwik-Fit has worked successfully with DriveRight to make their online tyre and alloy sales process a “huge success.”

3rd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Analyst: Conti May Buy Schaeffler Assets, Float Rubber Group

Continental may buy Schaeffler Group’s automotive assets (namely LuK clutches and/or INA bearings) and then float its Rubber Group to pay for it. That’s the view of Klaus Pflum, head of investment bank Nomura's European automotive mergers and acquisitions operations, who made this prediction at the Reuters Auto Summit in Paris. In his view Continental is more likely to opt for an initial public offering (IPO) and this route may raise more money than a divestment and direct sale: "I don't see any banks who are willing to finance a four to five billion euro debt ticket,” Pflum told the conference.

3rd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

US Tyre Shipments to Drop 13% in 2009, Says RMA

The Rubber Manufacturers Association projects an approximately 13 per cent decline in US tyre shipments will occur in 2009, principally as a result of a sharp decrease in demand for original equipment passenger car and commercial vehicle tyres. Total tyre shipments are anticipated to reduce by approximately 36 million units to 246 million. The RMA notes this decrease reflects the “difficult economic environment for automotive manufacturers over the past year, continued low consumer confidence and high unemployment.” This year’s projected total shipments represents a 23.4 per cent decrease on the peak of 321 million units reached in 2000.

3rd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sir Tom Farmer Keynote Speaker at TyrexpoAfrica

Kwik-Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer, who is credited with revolutionising tyre retailing in the UK, is to present a keynote speech at the TyrexpoAfrica industry conference in Johannesburg next March. Sir Tom is one of the most recognisable names in the global tyre industry. He founded Kwik-Fit in Scotland in 1971, developing it to become one of the world’s largest automotive parts repair and replacement specialists, before selling the company to Ford in 1999.

Among many honours, Sir Tom was awarded the CBE in 1990, received a Knighthood in 1997 and in the same year was made a KCSG (Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great). In 2009 he was created a Commander of the Victorian Order (CVO) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Should F1 Return to Competing Tyre Suppliers?

Following Bridgestone's announcement that it will walk away from Formula 1 when its current contract comes to an end at the end of the 2010 season, Tyres & Accessories' website (tyrepress.com) wants to hear your views on what should happen next. So, in order to canvas the widest possible cross-section within the tyre trade, we have posted a new question of the month and invite you and your colleagues to cast your vote. This month's question:
Now Bridgestone have ruled themselves out of F1 from 2010, how should tyres be supplied to the series?

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

JK Tyre Reports 1.369 billion rupees Operating Profit

JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. (JK Tyre) reported quarterly operating profits (EBITDA) of 1.369 billion rupees (£17.769 million; 19.670 million euros; US$29.1 million) from sales of 9.38 billion rupees, publishing the details on 30 October. First half (April to September 2009) results show the company achieved post tax profits of 1 billion rupees against net sales of 18 billion rupees.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Presents Raft of New Releases at SEMA 2009

Pirelli is launching a raft of new products and line extensions at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas, including the Pirelli Scorpion the Scorpion Verde All Season SUV/Crossover and Light Truck tyres developed under the “Green Performance” philosophy. Pirelli’s Green Performance strategy forms the basis for specific goals such as pushing the green proportion of its tyres from 20 per cent to 40 per cent by 2011.

According to the tyre maker, these tyres offer drivers increased performance in wet braking, dry handling, wet handling, snow traction and reduce aquaplaning. Scorpion Verde All Season’s use of cutting edge compounds is said to helps deliver longer tread life for consumers.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Orange Electronic to Hit the NA Market

Norstar International, Orange Electronic Taiwan and a group of investors have launched Orange Electronic North America LLC. According to reports, the new company will assume control of the North American marketing, sales and distribution of Orange Electronic Taiwan’s TPMS products. “We have been working with Orange Electronic as a distributor for the past two years and were impressed by their high quality products and innovative solutions,” said Steve Norris, president of Norstar International and Orange Electronic North America.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Sales & Earnings Decline in H1

Yokohama Rubber has reported a year-on-year 21.3 per cent drop in sales during the first half of the financial year. Upon announcing sales in the six months to September 30, 2009 amounting to 202.1 billion yen (£1.4 billion), the company noted that demand in its principal markets – Japan, North America and Europe – had weakened. Slackening demand also undermined sales volume in Yokohama’s Multiple Business (diversified products) Group, which posted sales declines in high-pressure hoses, in conveyor belts, in sealants, and in aircraft products.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Butts Offers 10-year Lift Warranty

No ifs or – if you will excuse the pun – buts, JHM Butts & Co. of Bawtry (a workshop equipment importer) has announced the arrival of its 10 year vehicle lift warranty. The company offers a range of European made vehicle lifts including: mid-rise two-tonne capacity scissor lifts; two-post lifts; and symmetric and asymmetric designed lifts. According to the company, all two-post lifts are supplied with a high lift pad kit free of charge. All products are available in either three-phase or mono-phase.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Disputes Liberian Government Pollution Claims

(Tire Review) Bridgestone Americas is disputing Liberian government claims that its Firestone rubber plantation is causing pollution in nearby creeks. Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency closed out a lengthy investigation, finding high levels of orthophosphate being released into the water in creeks near the company’s natural rubber plantation and processing enter in Monrovia.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Posts Positive Q3 Results

Citing lower raw material costs, continued manufacturing improvements and a better utilisation of capacity as the key driving factors, Cooper Tire & Rubber has reported a US$41 million net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, a $102 million improvement over the same period last year. The company’s net sales for the period were $803 million, a year-on-year increase of $9 million, while operating profit was $71 million for the quarter, a $118 million improvement from the corresponding months in 2008.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

US Court Orders Review of China OTR, Ag Tyre Duties

Several media sources are now reporting that last year’s ruling by the US Department of Commerce that slapped often huge antidumping duties on certain OTR and farm tyres imported from China will get another look. On September 18, the US Court of International Trade ordered the Commerce Department to review its ruling and the countervailing duties it applied to a host of tires imported from China. The court said the Commerce Department’s duty calculations were in error, and in cases were effectively double what they should have been. The court gave the Commerce Department 90 days to clear up the duty discrepancies. Tyres & Accessories/tyrepress.com first reported this story on 25 September, but following the collapse of GPX International last week US-based Tire Review draws a parallel between the two stories.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Moving Into 63-Inch OTR Tyre Production

Demand for quality 63-inch OTR tyres from the mining sector and other related industries has remained strong despite the economic slowdown. For this reason, Goodyear has opted to throw its hat into the 63-inch size ring and announced it will begin production of these tyres during the fourth quarter of 2010. Goodyear is upgrading its Topeka, Kansas facility as part of its capital investment strategy to this effect, and preparatory work for production of the new giant tyres is already underway.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa Wheels on Green Coca-Cola Truck

Renault Trucks is making a test hybrid propulsion system vehicle for Coca-Cola Enterprises Belgium (CCEB). The vehicle which will come fitted with Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels will “speed up development of the Renault Premium Distribution Hybrys Tech by having it used under actual operating conditions,” according to the company. Alcoa points out that its wheels are not only lighter and stronger than steel, but also easy to clean thanks to the Dura-Bright surface treatment.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

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