YTC announces management changes
Takayuki Hamaya, chief operating officer at Yokohama Tire Corporation, shares that several promotions within the Japanese tyre maker’s North American operation took effect on 1 April.
Conti supporting ‘Favelas’ project in Brazil
NewsKick off at the opening match of the next World Cup is just over 14 months away, and Germany’s Continental AG is once again a sponsor of the FIFA-organised event. As part of its World Cup involvement, Continental has committed itself to the UERE education project in the Favelas, or the Baixa do Sapateiro slum district of Rio de Janeiro. The UERE project targets children and youths aged between 4 and 18, and over a three-year period Continental will use the media attention the football world’s premier event will give Brazil to raise the profile of UERE and what the project has achieved.
Pirelli announces German management changes
NewsChanges to the management structure of Pirelli Deutschland’s sales and marketing team took effect on 1 April. Amongst these tweaks is an extension of Sascha Kemper’s area of responsibility. In addition to his current position as Germany-wide sales manager for the original equipment truck business and Northern Germany sales manager for the replacement market truck business, Kemper has taken over as head of the replacement truck business in Southern Germany from Sascha Ihrig.
Pirelli industrial incident returns to the news
News, UK NewsLurid local newspaper headlines have rekindled media interest in the industrial incident that resulted in the death of a man at Pirelli’s Carlisle tyre factory. However, with the Police having already confirmed that they are no longer pursuing a criminal investigation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation ongoing and with no date for the inquest, there is little more to report and no further comment from the parties involved.
Maxxis promotes Amy Colbourne to marketing manager
NewsMaxxis International has promoted Amy Colbourne to the role of marketing manager. Colbourne started with Maxxis International in 2010, when Maxxis made the decision to invest heavily in marketing communications in order to boost its brand profile. She is now responsible for all aspects of marketing in the UK, including activity to support Maxxis distributors and as such the new role will see her take direct control of the marketing budget.
Are after-sale services going online?
NewsEven though car service portals are being accepted only hesitantly, they still have a remarkable effect already today and the online booking of auto-services is beginning to enter the imagination of motorists across Europe. According to German research firm Wolk After Sales Experts, the concept has now “become imaginable” to many car drivers and the finding forms the basis for a new study named “After Sales Goes Online“, conducted by the automotive consultancy.
ISO 9001:2008 certification for Magna Tyres
NewsNetherlands-headquartered OTR, industrial and truck tyre company Magna Tyres Group has been awarded ISO 9001:2008 certification for its quality management system. Official certification audits at the Magna Tyres headquarters in Waalwijk were completed in March 2013.
Two-thirds of Pneu Expo exhibitors returning next year
NewsThe organiser of last month’s Pneu Expo in France reports that 100 exhibitors from 17 countries displayed their wares at the three-day show. Exhibitor numbers were thus similar to the previous show, and organiser Editions VB says two thirds of the 2013 exhibitors have signed up for the next event.
Kumho continues Ecowing tree programme
NewsKumho Tyres, the Korean tyre maker’s Australian operation, is continuing its relationship with eco-motoring organisation Greenfleet with the planting of 5,000 trees around the country. The trees are being planted to commemorate the Australian release of the Ecowing KH27; Kumho also partnered with Greenfleet last year, and 5,000 trees were planted to mark the launch of the Ecowing all-season tyre.
Spruced up ‘tyre man’ ready for road trip
International News, NewsYou can’t keep a good tyre man down. That’s what Manly Council in Australia is coming to terms with half a year after its order to remove a much loved local icon was carried out. The ‘tyre man’, a dummy who sat atop a tyre-ringed pole in the Sydney beachside suburb for more than 80 years, was taken down last August after his deteriorating condition was judged a hazard to passing pedestrians. But instead of disappearing forever, tyre man is back – and he’s off on holidays before resuming his vigil over Manly.
Noji named new Yokohama North America boss
NewsYokohama Rubber has announced three personnel changes that will take effect on 1 May.
Hikomitsu Noji has been appointed CEO of the tyre maker’s US operation, Yokohama Tire Corporation, and CEO of Yokohama Corporation of North America. Noji retains the title of president and representative director of parent company Yokohama Rubber. Noji is expected to travel to the United States regularly in his new role but will remain based at Yokohama Rubber’s headquarters in Tokyo.
Autopromotec 2013 aims to set new records
NewsWhen Autopromotec 2013 takes place at the end of next month, the organisers are hoping it will be their biggest yet. Complete exhibitor details were not available at the time of going to press, but early indications suggest the show is on-track to achieve this goal. For example, six months before its scheduled opening, certain sections of the international automotive equipment and aftermarket product trade fair were already fully booked. And the momentum seems to be coming from our part of the industry. Indeed the tyre and garage equipment pavilions were amongst the first to sell out.
Autopromotec: The tyre and wheel contingent
NewsAs we can see this year’s Autopromotec intends to offer expansion on two fronts – increased emphasis on the educational aspects of the exhibition (which is increasingly marketing itself as forum for thought leaders); and increased internationalisation, particularly with regard to BRIC nations in general and Brazil and Argentina in particular. As far as the tyre and wheel contingent is concerned there are definitely a number of names you will have heard of, but perhaps not as many of the best known brands as you may have thought. That said, as they say, the show ain’t over till the fat lady sings and many of those that have shown up choose to register in the names of their local distributors rather than their international brands.
MP wins Brake safety award for 20 mph campaign
NewsJulian Huppert, MP for Cambridge, has been named Road Safety Parliamentarian of the Month by the road safety charity Brake and Direct Line Group for his work campaigning for 20mph limits in his constituency and across the UK.
The GO 20 coalition, launched by Brake in Road Safety Week 2012, calling for 20mph to become the norm across built-up areas, so children and adults can walk and cycle for their health and enjoyment, and for cheap and sustainable travel, without being or feeling endangered.
Scotland Ball raises £8k for BEN
NewsThe 15th BEN Scotland Ball, held recently, enjoyed an increase in attendance and raised an impressive £8,000 for the automotive charity.
