Brityrex update – day two

Today is the third and final day of this year’s Brityrex show. The past two days have seen good visitor numbers at the new EventCity venue and Tyres & Accessories has enjoyed the opportunity to catch up on the latest UK industry news.

At yesterday’s TyreTalk seminar on retreading, Retread Manufacturers Association director David Wilson pointed to signs of a recovery in the UK passenger car retread market and improving opportunities for this particular segment. “A combination of economic and market factors means there is a more optimistic outlook for the sector than there has been for some time,” commented Wilson. “It’s also extremely encouraging to see such a healthy presence of retreaders exhibiting at this year’s Brityrex.”

Chinese tyre maker Aeolus launched two new retreadable truck tyres at Brityrex. The ASR 69 steer axle and ADR 69 drive axle tyre in 295/80 R 22.5 and 315/80  R22.5 for regional fleets, have wider tread areas offering improved regrooving and retreading opportunities compared to many other truck products from the region.  Aeolus TBR tyres are distributed exclusively in the UK by Kings Road Tyres.

Creating a talking point in the EventCity foyer is Acorn Motorsport’s new 2013 season Drift car, sponsored by Infinity. The custom made 550HP engine car aims to follow up a highly successful 2012 season for the team in which its drivers finished second and third in their classes and fourth in the constructors championship. On the Infinity stand, the new Eternity private brand is being previewed ahead of its launch next year. 50 passenger car sizes and a truck range will be included. 
 
First-time Brityrex exhibitor Michelin Training Centre is using the show to promote its wide range of technical and management training courses, which are available to all tyre businesses, irrespective of whether they hold a Michelin account. “We work with all levels of the industry from one-man start-ups to major national companies,” said MTC training manager Charly Bailey. Courses cover all aspects of practical technical training through to telephone selling, business to business and management development modules.

Tyre labelling legislation: burden and opportunities

Meeting the requirements of the new tyre labelling legislation has perhaps been a burden for tyre manufacturers, but it also offers opportunities for retailers to have an ‘extended dialogue with their customers’, according to Graham Willson of the Tyre Industry Federation (TIF). Presenting a tyre labelling module at Brityrex yesterday, Willson said: “Tyre labelling will help retailers move their dialogue with customers on from a price-based conversation to added value opportunities.”

During day two show sponsor the NTDA hosted a meeting of the SMMT Automotive Aftermarket Liaison Group at Brityrex. The Group includes representatives of many aftermarket trade bodies and organisations, including the tyre sector. After the day’s proceeding the NTDA hosted its annual dinner and TAFF Awards. Continental Tyre took home the Manufacturer of the Year award, while BITS was voted Tyre Wholesaler of the Year.  Tyre Centre of the Year went to ATS Euromaster Brighton West and Tyre & Aftermarket Equipment Supplier Award went to Pang UK. The Environment Award was given to Sapphire Energy. Michelin UK was well represented at the TAFF Awards, taking both the Advertising Campaign Award and the Product Innovation Award.